A joyful celebration of Bach: the AAM plays the Brandenburgs

Laurence Cummings directs the Academy of Ancient Music

By Susannah Moody, 31 January 2024

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“building majestically and finishing on a high with a devilishly fast Allegro”

Reviewed at Guildhall School of Music & Drama: Milton Court Concert Hall, London on 26 January 2024

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 1 in F major, BWV1046

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 2 in F major, BWV1047

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 in G major, BWV1048

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 4 in G major, BWV1049

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major, BWV1050

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 6 in B flat major, BWV1051

Academy of Ancient Music

Laurence Cummings, Conductor

Cummings and the AAM win ‘Leipzig's Got Talent’

Nick Boston, 16th April

The Academy of Ancient Music poses the question what might have been in Leipzig with stunning performances of Bach and his competitors to be the new Thomaskantor.

*****

Freudian slip: Handel’s Tamerlano recast as Trumpian tantrums

Mark Pullinger, 26th March

Opha Phelan’s staging presents the action as a grand, Freudian social experiment. It’s a risk – but the production is lifted by outstanding performances from the cast and the Academy of Ancient Music.

***11

Ed Lyon excels in Monteverdi’s Songs of Love and War

Stephen Pritchard, 12th February

Tenor Ed Lyon fulfils a long-held ambition to sing Monteverdi's Eighth Book of Madrigals, conducted by his former teacher, Laurence Cummings at Milton Court.

*****

Strong team for a Good Friday St John Passion

Roy Westbrook, 18th April

The greatest music of the 18th century – no arguments, please – is given a fine reading at London's Barbican.

****1

Academy of Ancient Music delivers a majestic Messiah

Charlotte Gardner, 16th December

Laurence Cummings and the AAM serve up Messiah-shaped serenity at the Barbican.

****1

Actéon and Pygmalion: three transformations for the price of two

Roy Westbrook, 9th October

Ovid’s Metamorphoses makes an ideal curtain-raiser to the Academy of Ancient Music's new season, with works by Charpentier and Rameau conducted by Laurence Cummings... who also sings!

****1

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Susannah Moody

A London-based journalist and ex-lawyer, Susannah will cheerfully listen to most styles of music. Having trained as an operatic soprano through school and university, she has worked for several opera companies and set up a student opera company where she translated, directed and performed in productions including flash mob opera. Most recently she took part in the ENO Response programme reviewing the company's 2022-2023 season. She also writes about food as The Moody Foodie.

A joyful celebration of Bach: the AAM plays the Brandenburgs at Milton Court