Nicola Benedetti and the European Union Chamber Orchestra sparkle in Birmingham

By Katherine Dixson, 11 December 2012

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Reviewed at Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham on 9 December 2012

Corelli, Concerto grosso in G minor "Christmas Concerto", Op.6 no.8

Vivaldi, Cello Concerto in G minor, RV 416

Manfredini, Christmas Concerto, Op.3 no.12

Vivaldi, Concerto for violin and cello in F major, RV 544 "Il Proteo, ossia il mondo al rovescio"

Corelli, Concerto grosso in G minor "Christmas Concerto", Op.6 no.8

Handel, Messiah, HWV 56: Pastoral Symphony

Torelli, Concerto Grosso in G minor "Christmas Concerto", Op.8 no.6

Vivaldi, Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione: Violin Concerto in F major, Op.8 no. 3, RV 293 "L'autunno” (Autumn)

Vivaldi, Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione: Violin Concerto in F minor, Op.8 no. 4, RV 297 "L'inverno" (Winter)

European Union Chamber Orchestra

Nicola Benedetti, Violin

Leonard Elschenbroich, Cello

Julian Lloyd Webber and the EU Chamber Orchestra at St George's, Bristol

Alexandra Hamilton-Ayres, 20th April

The European Union is not something one would normally expect to be associated with music, but their chamber orchestra is exceptional. Formed in 1981, they now have a worldwide reputation as musical ambassadors. Opening an evening of style and grace at St George’s, Bristol with Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, the orchestra gave an air of confidence.

****1

Dramatic Dvořák 7 hits home in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 24th February

Elena Schwarz conducts the NSO in a rousing rendition of Dvořák's famous Seventh Symphony, while cellist Leonard Elschenbroich offers punchy Khachaturian.

***11

Unsettling Shostakovich from Anja Bihlmaier and the BBC Philharmonic

Peter Connors, 5th February

Anja Bihlmaier presents the scintillating Suite by Galina Ustvolskaya, an unsettling Shostakovich 9, which finds comedy and tragedy side by side, and then Dvořák’s heart-warming Cello Concerto with Leonard Elschenbroich.

****1

Four centuries of British music

Nick Boston, 9th August

Affecting Britten, distinctive Elias and popular Elgar, with a curio of arranged Purcell thrown in, from Ryan Wigglesworth and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

***11

From Baroque'n'roll to contemporary at Kings Place

Marthe Lisson, 17th June

Leonard Elschenbroich joined with the 12 ensemble for an evening dedicated to the Suite italienne, a stroll through time though with a focus on contemporary composers.

***11

A thrilling tour opener from the Bergen Philharmonic

Rohan Shotton, 15th January

Edward Gardner opens the Bergen Philharmonic's UK tour in great style.

****1

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Katherine Dixson

Katherine is an enthusiastic choral singer. Becoming chairman of her choir proved the catalyst for writing a memoir into which she crammed musical experiences galore, including her own belated musical education and encounters with professional musicians. Combining music, writing and travel is Katherine’s idea of bliss. Her website is here.