Nonclassical begins the Pioneers of Percussion Festival in Hoxton

By Jonathan Russell, 11 November 2013

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Reviewed at The Macbeth, London on 6 November 2013

Lang, The Anvil Chorus

Greenstein, We Shall Be Turned

Little, Speak Softly

Martland, Starry Night

Works by Braun

Brailey, I am a Nice Shark

Scolding, Drawing

Groves, Mantra

Maric, Run Chime

Davies, Dark Ground

The Fellowship (of the Ring)

Catherine Ring, Percussion

Bex Burch, Percussion

Calie Hough, Percussion

Becky Browne, Percussion

Ryedale Players String Quartet

Barnaby Archer, Percussion

Tom Lee, Percussion

Size Zero Opera at Tête à Tête: The Sandman

Paul Kilbey, 9th August

Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival is an amazing opportunity for emerging opera companies and performers, giving valuable time and attention to bold and strange new works.

****1

Elgarian emotion from the Benedetti, Karabits and the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 15th May

Nicola Benedetti’s Elgar is a slow burn in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, but Kirill Karabits’ Firebird instantly ignites.

****1

Hilary Hahn’s French odyssey of refinement and fire in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 14th May

Two technical mishaps punctuate the evening, but Hilary Hahn maintains poise throughout a French programme crowned by a finely judged, deeply expressive performance of Fauré.

****1

Frank Dupree’s Liverpool debut has the audience crying out for more

Glyn Mon Hughes, 14th May

Frank Dupree’s debut with the RLPO celebrates the 250th anniversary of the USA, with Liverpool audiences treated to sumptuous Copland and barn-storming performances of Gershwin and Duke Ellington.

*****

Energetic Currentzis and Utopia at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 12th May

From Berg’s crystalline intimacy to Dionysian Mahler, Teodor Currentzis and Utopia defy orchestral tradition with standing musicians, spatial acoustics and an emotional intensity that breathes new life into the concert life.

****1

Petr Popelka delivers a thrilling opening for Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 12th May

With Petr Popelka on the podium, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra brings a native feel and colorful exuberance to a cultural icon.

****1

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Jonathan Russell

Jonathan Russell is a London-based composer, clarinetist, conductor, and educator, active in music ranging from classical to contemporary to klezmer. He is a member of the Edmund Welles bass clarinet quartet and the Sqwonk bass clarinet duo, and co-founded San Francisco’s Switchboard Music Festival. He holds degrees from Harvard University and San Francisco Conservatory, and is a PhD Candidate at Princeton University.