Pappano crests the waves at the Edinburgh International Festival

Vilde Frang and the London Symphony Orchestra

Sir Antonio Pappano, Edinburgh Festival Chorus and the London Symphony Orchestra

By David Smythe, 15 August 2025

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“the 150-strong Edinburgh Festival Chorus... rose to the occasion magnificently”

Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 14 August 2025

Maconchy, Nocturne for Orchestra

Korngold, Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35

Vaughan Williams, Symphony no. 1 "A Sea Symphony"

Vilde Frang, Violin

Natalya Romaniw, Soprano

Will Liverman, Baritone

Edinburgh Festival Chorus

London Symphony Orchestra

Sir Antonio Pappano, Conductor

Denis Kozhukhin: captivating storytelling with the London Symphony

Clare Varney, 1st May

At the Konzerthaus Dortmund, Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO are joined by Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin to plunge into the depths of despair in Bernstein’s melancholic The Age of Anxiety.

***11

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

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.