A Contemporary Passion

By Sofia Nyblom, 31 March 2014

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Reviewed at Folkoperan, Stockholm on 26 March 2014

Bach, St Matthew Passion, BWV244

The Real Group, Vocals

Rebaroque

Intimate colossus: Daniil Trifonov with the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Max Lima, 21st May

Late Brahms, early Schoenberg: under Lahav Shani and the Rotterdam Philharmonic draw tenderness from two monumental scores.

****1

Heavenly Mahler – and Strauss – from Lucy Crowe and the LSO

Roy Westbrook, 21st May

Songs and symphonies from Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra, concluding with a vision of “heavenly life” from Gustav Mahler.

****1

Conviction, passion and clarity: Sir Stephen Hough at Wigmore Hall

Christopher Woodley, 19th May

Fragments by Brahms, Schoenberg and Schubert orbit Beethoven's Waldstein and Schumann's Carnaval in another masterful recital from Sir Stephen Hough.

****1

Spellbinding Gewandhausorchester Leipzig in Vienna’s Musikverein

Chanda VanderHart, 18th May

In Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto, Yulianna Avdeeva commands attention through sheer innate charisma, anchored in intense engagement.

*****

Lucas and Arthur Jussen: a virtuoso pairing at Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 17th May

Lucas and Arthur Jussen make more than a guest appearance in a dazzling performance with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

****1

Edward Gardner makes a distinctive debut at the Pittsburgh Symphony

Sam Jacobson, 17th May

Edward Gardner’s Pittsburgh Symphony debut brings freshness and intensity to Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, alongside a sparkling tribute to Michael Tilson Thomas.

****1

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Sofia Nyblom

Sofia Nyblom is a Swedish arts journalist, critic, presenter and radio and tv-producer. With a background as a professionally trained singer, she today prefers watching opera and singing in choir - and she loves dance. Twitter: @nyblomsofia. Her website is here.