Wandering through musical and cultural history in Istanbul's Samatya

By Benjamin Poore, 17 June 2019

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“a diaphanous last movement seemed to radiate out from the golden halos of the icons around the altar”

Reviewed at Narlıkapı Surp Hovhannes Armenian Church, Istanbul on 16 June 2019

Herzog, Missa Lux Caelestis: Kyrie

Schein, Die mit tränen säen

Bruckner, Locus Iste, gradual, WAB 23

Buchenberg, Erbarme dich unser

Brahms, Letztes Glück (Last Luck), Op.104 no.3

Mendelssohn, Herbstlied, Op.63 no.4

Donati, Noche

Mahler, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz

Orhon, Istanbul (Turkish premiere)

Uçarsu, Sevgilerde

Bonato, Winding words of wisdom

Rezonans

Turangalîla underwhelms at the Southbank’s Multitudes festival

Roy Westbrook, 23rd April

Serious music ill-matched by filmic limitations as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra tackles Messiaen’s epic “symphony” as part of the Southbank’s cross-genre festival.

**111

Immersive OAE submerged at Southbank’s Multitudes festival

Mark Valencia, 22nd April

The road to immersion is paved with modish deflections as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performs 20th-century English string music.

**111

A dream of a Gerontius from Pappano, the LSO and Chorus

Roy Westbrook, 21st April

Giving their 27th performance of the oratorio, the London Symphony Chorus excel as angelic angels and demonic demons.

****1

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.

*****

Nicholas McGegan brings delicacy and elegance to Mendelssohn

Erica Miner, 18th April

The Seattle Symphony offers an enchanting evening immersed in the joy and brilliance of both the young and the mature genius of Felix Mendelssohn.

****1

Picture postcard Spain from the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia

Phil Parker, 17th April

Vibrant, colourful music is played with every last ounce of enthusiasm as the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia rounds off its UK tour at Sheffield City Hall.

****1

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Benjamin Poore

Benjamin Poore is a writer and critic. His book on psychoanalysis and literature is forthcoming in 2019. He has previously written about literature and culture for the Independent, the Times Literary Supplement, and Times Higher Education. In his spare time he tries to sing Schubert; he has a very patient teacher.