Paavo Järvi and Viktoria Mullova impress in Sibelius and Tchaikovsky

By Vishnu Bachani, 14 May 2019

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“the dying away... did not shock as much as it conveyed a sense of inevitable despair and tragedy”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 11 May 2019

Beethoven, Egmont, Op.84: Overture

Sibelius, Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.47

Pärt, Passacaglia

Tchaikovsky, Symphony no. 6 in B minor, "Pathétique", Op.74

Philharmonia Orchestra

Paavo Järvi, Conductor

Viktoria Mullova, Violin

Viennese splendour in Garsington’s Rosenkavalier revival

Roy Westbrook, 28th May

Bruno Ravella's splendid 2021 production of Strauss' opera of Viennese manners returns with a fine cast.

****1

Garsington’s new La traviata ticks every musical and dramatic box

David Karlin, 27th May

Music Director Douglas Boyd conducts a performance of exceptional musical quality, and Louisa Muller's uncontroversial but passionate direction makes this Traviata one for the ages.

*****

Classical grace and Romantic eloquence from the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 7th May

The contrasting delights of Schumann, Brahms and Dvořák are powerfully evoked in performances of charm, eloquence and high drama from the Philharmonia, continuing the orchestra’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

****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.

*****

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

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Vishnu Bachani

Dividing his time between New York and London, Vishnu Bachani is a recent graduate of New York University in mathematics and music. Interested in tonal music theory and analysis, he has written for The Bruckner Journal and New York Classical Review and has completed analytical research on music ranging from Wagner and Bruckner to Radiohead and Massive Attack, which he regularly posts on his website. Some cherished musicians include J.S. Bach, Gustav Mahler, and Meshuggah.