Russian Masterworks at the Barbican with Gergiev

By James Potter, 23 February 2012

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Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 21 February 2012

Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture

Prokofiev, Piano Concerto no. 3 in C major, Op.26

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 5 in D minor, Op.47

London Symphony Orchestra

Valery Gergiev, Conductor

Denis Matsuev, Piano

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

Pappano and the LSO: a thrilling collision between heaven and hell

Charlotte Gardner, 16th April

Vilde Frang joins Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican for transcendent Korngold alongside darker fare.

****1

Han Kang’s The White Book takes on a compelling new life

Peter Quantrill, 5th March

At the Barbican, Laura Bowler's new work for Barbara Hannigan translates Han Kang's novel into a soundscape of icy stillness

****1

A curious evening from Noseda, Kopatchinskaja and the LSO

Mark Valencia, 26th February

Good, bad, but never ugly, a curious evening unfolds at the Barbican, inspired at times, ill-judged in places.

***11

Borodin steps into the symphonic limelight: Noseda and the LSO

Mark Pullinger, 15th February

Seong-Jin Cho continues his Artist Portrait series with the LSO by performing Chopin's poetic Second Piano Concerto.

****1

Rattle and the LSO sell a travel package to Hungary and Spain

Roy Westbrook, 18th January

Opening her LSO Artist Portrait series, Patricia Kopatchinskaja plays Béla Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto before Rattle and the LSO whisk the audience to Falla’s Andalusia.

****1

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James Potter

James Potter is a musician and writer based in Oxford, with a diverse portfolio of work including singing, playing, editing, transcribing, and writing about music. He enjoys a wide variety of styles, with an especial interest in early music performance, and blogs on the interactions of music and video games here.