Beth Taylor’s commanding Sea Pictures with the London Philharmonic

Beth Taylor, Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra

By Nick Boston, 27 November 2025

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“a superlative performance”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 26 November 2025

Elgar, In the South (Alassio) - Concert Overture for orchestra, Op.50

Elgar, Sea Pictures, Op.37

Elgar, Sospiri for string orchestra and harp, Op.70

Elgar, Enigma Variations on an Original Theme for Orchestra, Op.36

Edward Gardner, Conductor

Beth Taylor, Mezzo-soprano

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Karabits and Szeps-Znaider carouse with the LPO

Christopher Woodley, 8th April

The sparkle of Max Bruch's Fecond Violin Concerto and the drama of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony overcome the gloom of Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s dark forebodings.

****1

Portraits and pictures from Ibragimova, Gardner and the LPO

Roy Westbrook, 1st April

From Three Screaming Popes to Pictures at an Exhibition, a pair of works inspired by paintings frame a violin concerto by Béla Bartók at London's Southbank Centre.

****1

Ticciati and the LPO deliver epic Sibelius plus lively Wennäkoski

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****1

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Paavo Järvi demonstrates just why the London Philharmonic Orchestra has chosen him as its next Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor.

*****

Canellakis, Mutter and the LPO at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 24th February

Anne-Sophie Mutter’s commanding presence meet the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s exceptional adaptability, yielding a concert that balances tradition-steeped authority with modern transparency, rhythmic vitality and the orchestra’s own electrifying spontaneity.

****1

Phoenix Lands: the London Philharmonic blazes with energy

Charlotte Gardner, 4th February

Edward Gardner’s Bacewicz, Martinů, Lutosławski and Janáček set the Royal Festival Hall ablaze.

****1

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Nick Boston

Nick has an MA in Music, specialising in performance and repertoire. His particular passions are choral music, chamber music and opera, with a particular interest in early music. He sings in a number of choirs in the south east of England, plays the piano and occasionally dusts off the violin. He writes about music here.

Beth Taylor’s commanding Sea Pictures the highlight of the LPO’s all-Elgar evening