Érard-inspired chamber music salon at Suntory's Blue Rose

By Nahoko Gotoh, 27 June 2021

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“a beautifully maintained instrument that used to belong to a Paris salon”

Reviewed at Suntory Hall: Blue Rose (Small Hall), Tokyo on 25 June 2021

Grieg, Andante con moto in C minor for piano trio

Ravel, Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. posth.

Fauré, Piano Trio in D minor, Op.120

Bach, Violin partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV1002: Tempo di Borea (arr. Saint-Saëns)

Bach, Violin sonata no. 3 in C major, BWV1005: Largo (arr. Saint-Saëns)

Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals: The Swan

Saint-Saëns, Piano Trio No. 1 in F Major, Op.18

Naruhiko Kawaguchi, Piano

Akira Harada, Violin

Hitomi Niikura, Cello

Lost for words: Asmik Grigorian excels at Wigmore Hall

Roy Westbrook, 26th May

A first half of vocalises gives way to all Strauss after the interval as the Lithuanian superstar soprano helps Wigmore Hall celebrate its 125th anniversary.

****1

A self-congratulatory Cecilia Bartoli show at Salzburg Whitsun

Laura Servidei, 24th May

This year’s Salzburg Whitsun Festival gala, Ciao, bella ciao, features Cecilia Bartoli in a highly personalised musical programme structured as an autobiographical journey, unfolding as a blend of concert and self-portrait.

Sumptuous Sheffield Chamber Music Festival finale

Phil Parker, 23rd May

Ensemble 360 and soprano Claire Booth test to the limits the definition of ‘chamber music’ in this richly orchestral closing concert of the 2026 Sheffield Chamber Music Festival.

****1

More gold than corn: María Dueñas plays Korngold at the Barbican

Mark Pullinger, 22nd May

The young Spanish violinist proves an ardent advocate for a work originally dismissed as a “Hollywood Concerto” as the BBC Symphony Orchestra closes its Barbican season.

****1

Intimate colossus: Daniil Trifonov with the Rotterdam Philharmonic

Max Lima, 21st May

Late Brahms, early Schoenberg: under Lahav Shani and the Rotterdam Philharmonic draw tenderness from two monumental scores.

****1

Memorable Mendelssohn from Marek Janowski and the New York Phil

Susan Stempleski, 21st May

Principal Trumpet Christopher Martin plays Haydn before the esteemed German maestro conducts a vibrant Scottish Symphony.

****1

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Nahoko Gotoh

Nahoko is a UK-based Japanese music journalist with a background in musicology. She writes regularly for various Japanese media including Ongaku no tomo and Mostly Classic magazines.