Havergal Brian's monumental Gothic Symphony

By Andrew Benson-Wilson, 21 July 2011

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 17 July 2011

Brian, Symphony no. 1 in D minor 'The Gothic'

Susan Gritton, Soprano

Christine Rice, Mezzo-soprano

Peter Auty, Tenor

Alastair Miles, Bass

CBSO Youth Chorus

The Choir of Eltham College

Southend Boys' and Girls' Choirs

The Bach Choir

BBC National Chorus of Wales

Brighton Festival Chorus

Côr Caerdydd

Huddersfield Choral Society

London Symphony Chorus

BBC Concert Orchestra

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Martyn Brabbins, Conductor

The BBC Singers at full throttle at Milton Court

Nick Boston, 26th February

Powerful Herbert Howells, together with affecting Shaw and engaging MacMillan from the BBC Singers, with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Sofi Jeannin.

****1

Aleko on the Arno: Bryn Terfel leads fine new GPO double bill

Roy Westbrook, 6th June

An unlikely pairing opens Grange Park Opera's season, the two works united by the dominant central character of each opera – Sir Bryn Terfel.

****1

BBCCO thrills in an evening of Sibelius and his Swedish neighbours

Susannah Moody, 17th March

A study of landscapes, freedom and love from the Anna-Maria Helsing and BBC Concert Orchestra, plus the world premiere of a Trinidadian concerto for orchestra.

****1

Mystics and magicians from the BBC Concert Orchestra at the BBC Proms

Leighton Jones, 28th August

Music from different genres, for the big and small screens, sit side by side in an evening of music that ignites and enchants the imagination.

****1

Over the top: revamped Tosca returns to the Theatre in the Woods

Mark Pullinger, 10th June

Stephen Medcalf gingers up Grange Park Opera’s staging with some deft directorial touches… even if Tosca is denied her final leap.

***11

Mari Samuelsen radiant in Pärt and Vasks with the BBC CO

Chris Garlick, 26th February

The Norwegian violinist performs a trio of contemporary works in an evening that concludes with Einojuhani Rautavaara's Angel of Light.