Believing in the music: Martin Fröst and the RSPO

By Sarah Batschelet, 22 March 2019

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Reviewed at Tonhalle Maag, Zurich on 20 March 2019

Liebermann, Furioso, for orchestra

Mozart, Clarinet Concerto in A major, K622

Mahler, Symphony no. 1 in D major "Titan"

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Sakari Oramo, Conductor

Martin Fröst, Clarinet

Musical tributes to Festival d’Aix as it wins Birgit Nilsson Prize

Peter Quantrill, 21st October

Pierre Audi is remembered in words and music as the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence receives $1m – the richest prize in classical music – at Stockholm’s Konserthuset.

Bancroft and the Royal Stockholm Phil brass shine in Bruckner

David Karlin, 24th October

The RSPO's Chief Conductor leads an impressive Bruckner 4. With Augustin Hagelich, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is lighter fare, but trips merrily.

****1

Music, people, planet: a triumphant celebration in music for Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 18th October

The celebrated cellist becomes the first instrumentalist to be presented the Birgit Nilsson Prize by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf at the official Award Ceremony in Stockholm.

*****

Birgit Nilsson Prize: dazzling Dvořák from the ever-smiling Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 16th October

Yo-Yo Ma's beatific serenity speaks volumes about his approach to life and music as he gives a performance in Stockholm's Konserthuset ahead of receiving the Birgit Nilsson Prize later in the week.

****1

Old works and new from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the RSPO

Sandra Bowdler, 25th November

An intriguing programming of old and new works, covering the time period 1893 to 1976, which themselves contain elements of old and new, beautifully performed.

****1

Grande Finale 4: Oramo and the RSPO conclude a majestic Sibelius cycle

Roy Westbrook, 29th May

In between the two symphonies, there was an extra Sibelius item, and this time it was a novelty.

*****

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Sarah Batschelet

Sarah Batschlelet, long based in Switzerland, took a degree in Art History from Smith College, Northampton, Massachuetts, and lives as a freelance writer and editor near Zurich.

Believing in the music: Martin Fröst and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic