London Sinfonietta explodes fixed views of Boulez

Sir George Benjamin

By Roy Westbrook, 06 October 2025

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“the soloist is the puppet-master at the centre of a retinue dancing to his tune”

Reviewed at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 5 October 2025

Programme to include:

Boulez, ...explosante-fixe... for flute with live electronics, 2 flutes and ensemble

Boulez, Mémoriale

Michael Cox, Flute

Sir George Benjamin, Conductor

Royal Academy of Music Manson Ensemble

London Sinfonietta

Patterns in motion: Sasha Waltz & Guests dance Riley’s In C

Marat Ingeldeev, 29th April

An evening of thrilling choreography and seamless synergy between dance and music, as Sasha Waltz & Guests and the London Sinfonietta bring Terry Riley’s legendary In C to life.

****1

London Sinfonietta's ‘Hidden Voices’ lack a narrative strand

Susannah Moody, 3rd April

The London Sinfonietta blends premieres and poetry in a confusing evening at the Southbank Centre.

**111

London Sinfonietta’s spectacular exploration of Cage and Boulez

Marat Ingeldeev, 9th March

Musical cross-pollination came to life in London Sinfonietta’s electrifying performance, in a seamless blend of theatre, history and virtuosic playing.

*****

London Sinfonietta weave Love Lines with passion and drama

Christopher Woodley, 6th December

Engaging performances, including two world premieres, are served up by one of Kings Place's partners in the ‘Scotland Unwrapped’ season.

****1

Failing better, sounding again: Beckett and Feldman at the Southbank

Marat Ingeldeev, 29th November

Beckett’s theatrical precision and Feldman’s fragile soundscapes cross paths at the Southbank Centre, creating a fleeting beauty in a profound artistic dialogue.

****1

London Sinfonietta gives eloquent testimony to Schoenberg's greatness

Christopher Woodley, 20th October

At the Southbank Centre vivid performance of seminal works shows how Schoenberg added colours to the Chameleon and enriched our sound world.

****1

More reviews...

Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Exploding fixed views of Pierre Boulez with the London Sinfonietta