Music, people, planet: a triumphant celebration in music for Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma accepting the Birgit Nilsson Prize

Yo-Yo Ma receives the Birgit Nilsson Prize from Carl XVI Gustaf

Maria Bengtsson, Emma Sventelius and Johanna Wallroth

By Stephen Pritchard, 19 October 2022

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“the 30 singers... stepped out onto this slippery ice rink of a piece with admirable assurance”

Reviewed at Konserthuset Stockholm: Stora Salen, Stockholm on 18 October 2022

Wagner, Tannhäuser: Arrival of the Guests at the Wartburg

Alfvén, Swedish Rhapsody no. 1 "Midsommarvaka", Op.19

Strauss R., 2 Songs for chorus: Der Abend, Op.34 no.1

Hillborg, Cello Concerto (excerpt)

Strauss R., Der Rosenkavalier, Op.59: Schlussterzett

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Patrik Ringborg, Conductor

Amalie Stalheim, Cello

Johanna Wallroth, Soprano

Maria Bengtsson, Soprano

Emma Sventelius, Mezzo-soprano

Royal Swedish Opera Chorus

Swedish Radio Choir

Kaspars Putniņš, Conductor

Musical tributes to Festival d’Aix as it wins Birgit Nilsson Prize

Peter Quantrill, 21st October

Pierre Audi is remembered in words and music as the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence receives $1m – the richest prize in classical music – at Stockholm’s Konserthuset.

Bancroft and the Royal Stockholm Phil brass shine in Bruckner

David Karlin, 24th October

The RSPO's Chief Conductor leads an impressive Bruckner 4. With Augustin Hagelich, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is lighter fare, but trips merrily.

****1

Birgit Nilsson Prize: dazzling Dvořák from the ever-smiling Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 16th October

Yo-Yo Ma's beatific serenity speaks volumes about his approach to life and music as he gives a performance in Stockholm's Konserthuset ahead of receiving the Birgit Nilsson Prize later in the week.

****1

Old works and new from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the RSPO

Sandra Bowdler, 25th November

An intriguing programming of old and new works, covering the time period 1893 to 1976, which themselves contain elements of old and new, beautifully performed.

****1

Grande Finale 4: Oramo and the RSPO conclude a majestic Sibelius cycle

Roy Westbrook, 29th May

In between the two symphonies, there was an extra Sibelius item, and this time it was a novelty.

*****

Grande Finale 3: Favourite Sibelius from Oramo

Roy Westbrook, 26th May

Oramo's structural insight ensures ideal tempo relations between sections, so crucial in Sibelius.

****1

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Stephen Pritchard

Stephen Pritchard began singing as a treble at the age of eight and progressed to become a tenor in Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, the Gibbons Consort and now the English Chamber Choir. Writing about music has been at the core of his 40-year career in journalism, chiefly at the Observer. He has been known to play a pretty mean jazz double bass.