Saint-Saëns crowns the Belgian National Orchestra's Manchester visit

By Rohan Shotton, 09 November 2022

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“vigorous without ever over-egging the drama”

Reviewed at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on 7 November 2022

Respighi, Preludio, Corale e Fuga

Mozart, Piano Concerto no. 25 in C major, K503

Saint-Saëns, Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ Symphony", Op.78

Belgian National Orchestra

Roberto González-Monjas, Conductor

Paul Lewis, Piano

A performance of contradictions from the Belgian National Orchestra

Clare Varney, 25th July

Antony Hermus searches for menace and intrigue in the BNO's programme in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw.

***11

Russian delights with Lugansky and Kochanovsky in Brussels

Marc Haegeman, 27th September

Stanislav Kochanovsky, Nikolai Lugansky and the Belgian National Orchestra impress with an all-Russian triple bill.

****1

Mischa Maisky shines in Tchaikovsky in Brussels

Marc Haegeman, 22nd March

Think of an exhilarating journey animated by an expert guide who lives and enjoys every moment, yet makes you believe he is discovering it with you and isn’t afraid to tease you with some daredevil steps off the beaten track.

***11

Fiery Prokofiev but lacklustre Britten in Brussels

Alan Yu, 5th October

Fiery Prokofiev but lacklustre Britten with the National Orchestra of Belgium.

***11

Wrong rep sinks opera evening at the Concertgebouw

Jenny Camilleri, 12th July

Mismatching between programme and performers resulted in a disappointing evening of operatic all-time favourites.

**111

World première shines at BOZAR

David Karlin, 16th October

The world première of Giya Kancheli’s Nu.Mu.Zu is the blow-your-socks-off highlight of an evening that includes colourful playing of Falla and Strauss.

****1

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Rohan Shotton

Rohan has reviewed concerts and opera across the UK and Europe, but chiefly in Manchester, where he enjoys conducting and playing percussion and piano. He works as a hospital doctor, having studied in St Andrews and Manchester, and tweets as @RohanShotton.

Joyous Saint-Saëns crowns the Belgian National Orchestra's Manchester visit