Star-gazing performances of Bowden and Holst

By Philip May, 20 April 2015

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Reviewed at St David's Hall, Cardiff on 18 April 2015

Bowden, A Violence of Gifts

Holst, The Planets, Op.32

Martyn Brabbins, Conductor

Elizabeth Atherton, Soprano

Roderick Williams, Baritone

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

BBC National Chorus of Wales

Nail-biting Shostakovich from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Dominic Lowe, 15th August

Before a searing performance of Shostakovich's Thirteenth from Ryan Bancroft and his Welsh forces, Benjamin Grosvenor delivers a terrific performance of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major.

****1

Bancroft and BBCNOW at the Proms: a deeply satisfying Mahler 3

David Karlin, 11th August

Bancroft and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales provide a Mahler 3 of exceptional clarity and forward momentum, with terrific posthorn solos from Corey Morris and Beth Taylor an outstanding soloist.

****1

Exciting Bacewicz and Lutosławski from Tadaaki Otaka and the BBC NOW

Nick Boston, 30th July

Strong performances of Bacewicz and Lutosławski in Tadaaki Otaka's final outing with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Proms, with technically commanding and sincere Rachmaninov from Vadym Kholodenko.

***11

Nil Venditti impresses in BBC Proms debut

Christopher Woodley, 12th August

Beethoven and Sir Karl Jenkins receive top-notch performances from Nil Venditti and the BBC NOW.

****1

A choral treat to savour: Verdi’s Requiem at the BBC Proms

David Karlin, 23rd July

An outstanding choral performance by nearly 300 singers of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and the Crouch End Festival Chorus lights up Verdi’s hybrid of opera and devotional music.

*****

Music that eats into you: Schoenberg and Zemlinsky at the BBC Proms

Alexander Hall, 22nd July

The Proms are often very clever at recreating musical events from the past. Here, two works originally premiered in 1905 are given a fresh outing by Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW.

****1

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Philip May

A twice graduate of the RWCMD (BMus & MMus), Philip developed a strong interest in both early and 20th century music, particularly the works of the Second Viennese School and the late William Alwyn. A pianist and ensemble musician, Philip plays with the TripTych Trio and has a particular interest in orchestral and chamber music.

Star-gazing performances of Bowden and Holst as BBC NOW and Chorus perform a Mark Bowden première