An American in Edinburgh

By Alan Coady, 22 March 2015

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“I left Usher Hall with spring in the air and a spring in my step”

Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 20 March 2015

Adams, Tromba lontana

Bernstein, Serenade after Plato's "Symposium"

Barber, Symphony no. 1, Op.9

Gershwin, An American in Paris

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Peter Oundjian, Conductor

Robert McDuffie, Violin

Elgarian emotion from the Benedetti, Karabits and the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 15th May

Nicola Benedetti’s Elgar is a slow burn in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, but Kirill Karabits’ Firebird instantly ignites.

****1

Stephen Hough makes a convincing case for Rachmaninov 1 with the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 24th April

On a return visit to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, John Wilson shapes A London Symphony with melancholy sweep.

****1

Kristiina Poska makes an exciting return to conduct the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 20th March

Kristiina Poska directs the RSNO in gripping Tchaikovsky and Pärt, but words and music only occasionally match in Elena Langer's new song cycle.

***11

Felix Klieser plays Strauss with the RSNO, before Bruckner exodus

Simon Thompson, 21st February

Felix Klieser is quietly remarkable as he plays Strauss' First Horn Concerto with the RSNO, but why did so many people walk out during Bruckner's Eighth Symphony?

****1

Giedrė Šlekytė conducts the RSNO in passionate, exciting Mahler

Simon Thompson, 5th December

Giedrė Šlekytė makes a stellar conducting debut with the RSNO, while violinist Nemanja Radulović has a great look but a disappointingly ordinary sound.

****1

Mahler magic: RSNO opens season with the Seventh Symphony

Simon Thompson, 3rd October

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Thomas Søndergård open their season, continuing their Mahler cycle, with the Seventh Symphony.

****1

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Alan Coady

Alan has taught classical guitar in East Lothian schools since 1982. A graduate in Music of the then Huddersfield Polytechnic, he has a soft spot for the contemporary. He also writes a Musical Blog, where the special interest is the intersection of music/language/science.

An American in Edinburgh: Peter Oundjian and the RSNO explore modern America