Biber’s life of Christ falls on contemporary ears

Andrew McIntosh and Wild Up

By Kurt Gottschalk, 26 March 2025

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“a stunning display of instrumental dexterity”

Reviewed at The 92nd Street Y: Buttenwieser Hall, New York City on 23 March 2025

Biber, Rosary or "Mystery" Sonatas

Christopher Rountree, Artistic Director

Andrew McIntosh, Violin

Wild Up

New York’s SONIC festival breaks sound barriers

Alexandra Ivanoff, 20th October

Held from 15-23 October, SONIC programmed works by over 80 young composers, presenting their works in 11 venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

New York’s SONIC festival breaks sound barriers

Alexandra Ivanoff, 20th October

Held from 15-23 October, SONIC programmed works by over 80 young composers, presenting their works in 11 venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Dazzling Prokofiev from Alim Beisembayev and the RLPO

Peter Connors, 26th April

In an all-Russian programme in Liverpool, Alim Beisembayev gives a breathtaking performance of Prokofiev's fiendishly difficult Second Piano Concerto.

****1

A Evgeny Kissin tour de force in Boston

Kevin Wells, 25th April

Andrey Boreyko makes an impressive debut with the Boston Symphony, where Evgeny Kissin performs in not one, but two piano concertos.

****1

Wretches like us: the LPO’s concert Wozzeck cuts to the quick

Peter Quantrill, 25th April

Beautifully prepared singing and playing brings out the tender side to Berg's modernist classic as part of the Southbank Centre’s Multitudes festival.

****1

Stephen Hough makes a convincing case for Rachmaninov 1 with the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 24th April

On a return visit to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, John Wilson shapes A London Symphony with melancholy sweep.

****1

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.

Biber’s life of Christ falls on contemporary ears: Rosary Sonatas at 92NY