A Conductor's Craft

By Tom Hancox, 16 October 2011

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Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 13 October 2011

Britten, Peter Grimes, Op.33a: Four Sea Interludes

Prokofiev, Piano Concerto no. 2 in G minor, Op.16

Adès, Powder Her Face (Dances)

Stravinsky, The Firebird: Suite

Philharmonia Orchestra

Arturo Alvardo, Conductor

Darrell Ang, Conductor

Yordan Kamdzhalov, Conductor

Sunwook Kim, Piano

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

A Resurrection for the ages: Kent Nagano conducts the Philharmonia

Eleanor Knight, 19th March

Any performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is an event, but this mighty Philharmonia account at the Royal Festival Hall proves extra special.

*****

A brilliant UK premiere of John Adams’ After the Fall

David Karlin, 25th February

The Icelandic pianist and Finnish conductor make a superb case for John Adams' latest concerto; the Philharmonia play Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé strongly but don't convince completely.

****1

Renes replaces Runnicles in a remarkable Philharmonia Bruckner 8

Dominic Lowe, 19th February

Stepping in for Sir Donald Runnicles at very short notice, Lawrences Renes conducts the Philharmonia in a sleek and vivid reading of Bruckner's magisterial Eighth Symphony.

****1

Karpman’s opera Balls tells a great story, but overshoots the line

David Karlin, 20th November

An entertaining portrayal of the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs is marred by ham-fisted amplification.

**111

Giltburg and Foster celebrate the Philharmonia’s 80th birthday

Nick Boston, 17th November

Boris Giltburg emphasising the expression in not one but two piano concertos, with commanding performances from Lawrence Foster and the Philharmonia.

****1

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Tom Hancox

Graduating with a double-first from St Peter's College, Oxford, Thomas is a flautist who has performed with Trevor Pinnock, the Allegri and Sacconi Quartets, and the London Handel Orchestra. Formerly the Junior Editor of the British Flute Society's journal, he now acts as Ambassadors' Co-ordinator for Cavatina.