Hearing in colour: Kochanovsky conducts ecstatic Scriabin

Stanislav Kochanovsky

Stanislav Kochanovsky conducts the Philharmonia

By Mark Pullinger, 12 May 2023

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“an orgasmic F sharp major triad flooded in violet light”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 11 May 2023

Rachmaninov, The Bells, for choir and orchestra, Op.35

Lyadov, From the Apocalypse, Op.66

Scriabin, Symphony no. 5 "Prometheus, Poem of Fire", Op.60

Simon Bennison, Lighting Designer

Alexei Volodin, Piano

Anush Hovhannisyan, Soprano

Toby Spence, Tenor

Yuriy Yurchuk, Baritone

Philharmonia Chorus

Philharmonia Orchestra

Stanislav Kochanovsky, Conductor

When time stands still: the Philharmonia revisits Strauss

Jessica Duchen, 4th June

The Philharmonia, Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Benjamin Grosvenor shine in the recreation of an all-Strauss extravaganza that was conducted in 1947 by the composer himself.

****1

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.

*****

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.

Hearing in colour: Kochanovsky conducts the Philharmonia in ecstatic Scriabin