Fray and the RNS offer challenging interpretations of Bach and Mozart

By Nick Butters, 05 October 2024

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“full of intellectual argument, iconoclastic and provocative”

Reviewed at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music: Sage One, Gateshead on 4 October 2024

Mozart, Serenade no. 13 in G major, "Eine kleine Nachtmusik", K525

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major, BWV1050

Bach, Keyboard Concerto no. 5 in F minor, BWV1056

Mozart, Piano Concerto no. 20 in D minor, K466

Bach, Goldberg Variations, BWV988: Aria

David Fray, Director, Piano

Royal Northern Sinfonia

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Patriotic Sibelius and early Mendelssohn are served up at the Glasshouse in Gateshead.

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Nil Venditti arrives like a small, joyful bomb at The Glasshouse and lights up a familiar Mendelssohn symphony with new insights.

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Hymn of Praise: thrilling Mendelssohn at the Glasshouse

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A Finnish soundscape, fine detail in Bartók and deep understanding in Beethoven from the Royal Northern Sinfonia with Dinis Sousa and Víkingur Ólafsson.

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Nick Butters

Nick studied under Denis Matthews at Newcastle University in the 1970s. He has had a busy and varied career, working in classical music, musical theatre and jazz. As an educator he taught on the staff of ArtsEd London, GSA and LCM, and has been a visiting tutor at RADA, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Oxford School of Drama. After working in London for many years he took up a teaching post at the Conservatoire de la Dordogne in 2007. On returning to the UK he settled in the north-east of England. He teaches and is an accompanist at the Centre for Advanced Training at The Glasshouse ICM, Gateshead (formerly Sage Gateshead), and has recently retired as a lecturer and musical director at the Institute of the Arts, University of Cumbria. He is in demand as a choral and instrumental accompanist across the region.

David Fray and the RNS offer challenging interpretations of Bach and Mozart