Wagner and Strauss from Sarah Wegener and the BBC Philharmonic

Sarah Wegener, Nicholas Carter and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

By Leighton Jones, 15 March 2026

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“the interplay between orchestral phrases and Wegener’s vocal line dovetailed seamlessly”

Reviewed at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on 14 March 2026

Wagner, Tristan and Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod

Finnis, The Landscape Wakes (UK premiere)

Bax, Tintagel

Strauss R., Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs)

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Nicholas Carter, Conductor

Sarah Wegener, Soprano

Watery worlds, rhythmic fire from Brauß and Hickox with the BBC

Leighton Jones, 7th February

Elisabeth Brauß excels in Ravel with the BBC Philharmonic and brings and unexpected encore.

****1

BBC Phil's Bluebeard's Castle eclipsed by Boulanger and Kodály

Peter Connors, 24th January

Anja Bihlmaier conducts the BBC Philharmonic in a moving D'un soir triste and joyful Dances of Galánta. Bluebeard's Castle, despite some fine things. feels less satisfying.

****1

Questions, answers and city nights: Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic

Leighton Jones, 17th January

In three hugely different musical voices, John Storgårds with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra move from the intimacy of Ives to the exhilaration of Adams, taking in Beethoven on their way.

****1

John Storgårds leads the BBC Philharmonic through Shostakovich

Rohan Shotton, 15th November

The BBC Phil's chief conductor led a relentless account of Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony, paired with Dvořák’s Cello Concerto.

****1

Thunderous Mahler from Elena Schwarz and the BBC Philharmonic

Rohan Shotton, 8th November

Elena Schwarz conducts the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Mahler's First Symphony, Debussy's La Mer and a rare outing for a trombone concerto.

****1

Pulsating energy as Gabriella Smith’s Lost Coast receives UK premiere

Rohan Shotton, 11th October

Gemma New conducts the BBC Philharmonic in a lean account of Sibelius' Second Symphony to close a bracing concert under the title ‘Lost Coast’.

****1

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Leighton Jones

Leighton has extensive teaching experience from early years to postgraduate level music. Currently he works as a primary music specialist, visiting instrumental teacher and examiner. As a pianist, he was inspired to play after hearing Moura Lympany at a young age and has a large collection of her recordings. Leighton’s postgraduate studies focussed on his interest in 20th-century English orchestral music, with particular study of Britten, Rawsthorne, Walton and Vaughan Williams. A keen choral singer he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of chiefly British choral music.

Transcendence and twilight: Wagner and Strauss from Sarah Wegener and the BBC Philharmonic