A Russian journey of the spirit at King's Place

By John Johnston, 14 May 2017

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“wide ranging tonality, brilliantly executed passage work and rhythmic punchiness”

Reviewed at Kings Place: Hall One, London on 12 May 2017

Rachmaninov, Lied for Cello and Piano in F minor

Arensky, 6 Romances, Op.38

Viardot-García, The Stars, VWV1059

Prokofiev, Sonata for Cello and Piano in C major, Op.119

Rachmaninov, Romance in A minor, for violin and piano

Shostakovich, Film music to The Gadfly, Op.97: Romance (selected pieces)

Shostakovich, 7 Romances on Poems by Blok for soprano, violin, cello and piano, Op.127

Guy Johnston, Cello

Michael Mofidian, Bass-baritone

Joan Rodgers, Soprano

Sophie Rosa, Violin

Sholto Kynoch, Piano

Perth Festival’s Russian Soul: The Story of Rachmaninov in Song

David Smythe, 27th May

Russian soprano Ilona Domnich, pianist Sholto Kynoch and enthusiast Michael White in a programme of songs and speech reflecting Rachmaninov’s colourful life.

****1

Henschel and Kynoch deliver a haunting Winterreise at Oxford Lieder

Mark Valencia, 27th February

Oxford Lieder's theme may be 'Winter into Spring', but in Schubert’s Winterreise, snow lies deep throughout with nary a glimpse of warmer prospects.

****1

In the footsteps of Hafez: exploring Persian poetry at Oxford Lieder

Mark Pullinger, 11th October

A deep-dive into the world of 14th-century Persian poet, Hafez, and his influence on song across the centuries.

****1

Dangerous Liaisons and Magic Horns close Oxford Lieder

Mark Pullinger, 26th October

The final day of Oxford Lieder's 80-event festival was framed by two recitals taking us from the world of German folklore andDes Knaben Wunderhorn, to the pain and drama of romantic entanglements.

****1

A Schumann rarity at the Oxford Lieder Festival

Roy Westbrook, 26th October

An old instrument, a veteran star singer, and a late rose all bloom at Oxford's annual songfest.

****1

Franz Schubert in 1824

Emily Owen, 4th October

Players from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightment play Schubert's Octet in F major alongside Lieder from 1824 sung by Roderick Williams, Mary Bevan, Robert Murray and Rozanna Madylus, accompanied by Sholto Kynoch.

***11

More reviews...

John Johnston

John Johnston was a contributor to Bachtrack 2017-19. John was a true gentleman and lifelong opera "nut" who frequently travelled across Europe to catch performances, making regular pilgrimages to the Bayreuth Festival among others. His supreme knowledge and appreciation of voices meant he took to reviewing like the proverbial duck to water. We enjoyed his style and his insatiable appetite for catching rare operas and new productions wherever he could.