Prom 29: A joyful Tannhäuser from Donald Runnicles

By Jane Shuttleworth, 05 August 2013

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Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 4 August 2013

Wagner, Tannhäuser (concert performance, sung in German)

Robert Dean Smith, Tannhäuser

Heidi Melton, Elisabeth

Daniela Sindram, Venus

Ain Anger, Landgraf Hermann

Christoph Pohl, Wolfram von Eschenbach

Thomas Blondelle, Walther von der Vogelweide

Andrew Rees, Heinrich der Schreiber

Brian Bannatyne-Scott, Reinmar von Zweter

Ashley Holland, Biterolf

Hila Fahima, Shepherd Boy

Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Sir Donald Runnicles, Conductor

Astonishing Mahler 2 from Runnicles and the BBC Scottish

David Smythe, 1st March

Sir Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish reunite for an astonishing Mahler 2 with Karen Cargill, Jennifer Davis and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

*****

Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish

Simon Thompson, 8th February

Despite the presence of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto on the bill, it is a gripping performance of Samuel Barber's First Symphony that steals this Usher Hall Sunday matinee.

****1

Meditative and powerful Górecki at Celtic Connections

David Smythe, 20th January

The Celtic Connections festival showcases Górecki’s Sorrowful Songs, the BBC Scottish with soprano Francesca Chiejina conducted by Pawel Kapula with a thoughtful introductory song set from Alice Zawadzki.

****1

Celebrating 90 years of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

David Smythe, 20th November

Martyn Brabbins conducts MacMillan’s Confession of Isobel Gowdie, BBCSSO founder Ian Whyte’s forgotten Violin Concerto with Stephanie Gonley, and a memorable Rachmaninov 2.

****1

Canellakis brings sparkle and shine to Stravinsky and Bernstein

Simon Thompson, 21st August

Karina Canellakis brings a riot of Technicolor to the Edinburgh International Festival, but countertenor Hugh Cutting threatens to steal the show in Chichester Psalms.

****1

Revelatory Birtwistle and Beethoven from the BBC Scottish SO

Peter Quantrill, 28th July

A composer-conductor's insight yields lasting rewards in Earth Dances and the Eroica at the Royal Albert Hall.

*****

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Jane Shuttleworth

Jane Shuttleworth is a choral singer and recorder player, and specialises in Renaissance, baroque and modern music. She lives in Durham and runs a local music listings, news and reviews site Music in Durham