A good walk spoiled: anemic Beethoven and Haydn in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 19 November 2023

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“Aside from some piquant contributions... this was background music through and through”

Reviewed at Kimmel Center: Marian Anderson Hall, Philadelphia on 17 November 2023

Wolfe, RE|Member

Haydn, Cello Concerto no. 1 in C major, Hob VIIb:1

Beethoven, Symphony no. 6 in F major "Pastoral", Op.68

David Robertson, Conductor

Hai-Ye Ni, Cello

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Energy, precision and drama from the Philadelphia Orchestra

Susan Stempleski, 31st March

Marin Alsop is joined by pianist Hayato Sumino as she conducts the Philadelphians in an exhilarating program of works by John Adams, Gershwin and Prokofiev.

****1

Amy Beach’s Gaelic returns to Philadelphia after 100-year absence

Cameron Kelsall, 12th March

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s latest concert also features Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto with Marc-André Hamelin.

****1

When we dead awaken: Mahler 2 returns to Philadelphia

Cameron Kelsall, 8th March

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra deliver a supreme meditation on the power of music and faith.

*****

Hilary Hahn returns to the stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra

Cameron Kelsall, 13th February

After a six-month break to address persistent injuries, the bravura violinist appears in one of her signature pieces: Prokofiev's Violin Concerto no. 1.

***11

Rarities surround Tchaikovsky favorite at the Philadelphia Orchestra

Cameron Kelsall, 6th February

Concertmaster David Kim performs Tchaikovsky's ever-popular Violin Concerto, and conductor Rafael Payare revisits Falla's El amor brujo.

***11

Du Yun's Ears of the Book: a spotlight on the pipa in Philadelphia

Cameron Kelsall, 22nd January

Co-commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the concerto highlights Wu Man, a virtuoso player of the Chinese lute.

**111

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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.