A big deal at the Wigmore

By Helen Fraser, 02 March 2011

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Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 1 March 2011

Bach, Cello sonata no. 1 in G major, BWV1027

Janáček, Pohádka (Fairy Tale)

Brahms, Cello Sonata no. 1 in E minor for Cello and Piano, Op.38

Philip Higham, Cello

Nicola Eimer, Piano

Holliger's here!

Helen Fraser, 23rd March

Oboist. Composer. Conductor. Heinz Holliger is all of these things and more, and this week Britain has a chance to find out what makes this man such an enormous figure in contemporary music. Holliger and friends are at King’s Place all week, with Holliger featuring in all of his many roles.

Snow on Snow: SCO Chorus brightens the solstice darkness

David Smythe, 20th December

A delightful seasonal showcase from the SCO Chorus, directed and conducted by Gregory Batsleer, in a programme of ancient and modern music and texts in the historic setting of Greyfriars Kirk.

****1

Mozart and Fauré from Susan Tomes and a scaled-down SCO

Mark Valencia, 11th March

Tomes grips the eye as well as the ear, for she has mastered the art of throwaway perfectionism in music that's in her blood.

***11

Exciting departure from the mainstream by Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Mark Thomas, 28th January

Maxim Emelyanychev gave individual string players from the SCO more airtime and more of a “chamber” feel to an intriguing programme of Baroque, Classical and Romantic works.

***11

Schubert bookends memorable Tchaikovsky from SCO and Emelyanychev

David Smythe, 10th December

SCO cellist Philip Higham plays memorable Rococo Variations, bookended by lively Schubert conducted by the dynamic Maxim Emelyanychev.

****1

A challenging cello recital, beautifully played at Wigmore Hall

Laurence Vittes, 14th September

Philip Higham and Susan Tomes took on Beethoven, Josef Suk, Janáček, Debussy and Nadia Boulanger without missing a beat, no page turner allowed, and no intermission.

****1

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Helen Fraser

Helen is an oboist at the Royal College of Music. She is delighted to be based in London and so able to take advantage of the wide variety of concerts the city provides. She also loves to teach and is keen to use this and every other opportunity to interest new people in classical music.