Pintscher's reflection on Shakespearean metamorphoses

By James Imam, 23 August 2016

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Weilerstein... kneaded vibrant colour into the outer extremities of her range”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 21 August 2016

Pintscher, Reflections on Narcissus, for cello and orchestra

Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night's Dream: Overture, Op.21

Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61 (Incidental Music)

Katherine Broderick, Soprano

Clara Mouriz, Mezzo-soprano

Alisa Weilerstein, Cello

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Matthias Pintscher, Conductor

Bijan Sheibani, Director

Finchley Children's Music Group

Mark Benton, Actor

Alex Hassell, Actor

Simon Manyonda, Actor

Sinead Matthews, Actor

Sam Swann, Actor

Michelle Terry, Actor

Astonishing Mahler 2 from Runnicles and the BBC Scottish

David Smythe, 1st March

Sir Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish reunite for an astonishing Mahler 2 with Karen Cargill, Jennifer Davis and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

*****

Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish

Simon Thompson, 8th February

Despite the presence of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto on the bill, it is a gripping performance of Samuel Barber's First Symphony that steals this Usher Hall Sunday matinee.

****1

Meditative and powerful Górecki at Celtic Connections

David Smythe, 20th January

The Celtic Connections festival showcases Górecki’s Sorrowful Songs, the BBC Scottish with soprano Francesca Chiejina conducted by Pawel Kapula with a thoughtful introductory song set from Alice Zawadzki.

****1

Celebrating 90 years of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

David Smythe, 20th November

Martyn Brabbins conducts MacMillan’s Confession of Isobel Gowdie, BBCSSO founder Ian Whyte’s forgotten Violin Concerto with Stephanie Gonley, and a memorable Rachmaninov 2.

****1

Canellakis brings sparkle and shine to Stravinsky and Bernstein

Simon Thompson, 21st August

Karina Canellakis brings a riot of Technicolor to the Edinburgh International Festival, but countertenor Hugh Cutting threatens to steal the show in Chichester Psalms.

****1

Revelatory Birtwistle and Beethoven from the BBC Scottish SO

Peter Quantrill, 28th July

A composer-conductor's insight yields lasting rewards in Earth Dances and the Eroica at the Royal Albert Hall.

*****

More reviews...

James Imam

James Imam is an arts journalist writing for publications including The Financial Times, The Times, Musical America and Opera magazine. He grew up in Manchester, read anthropology at Cambridge and has since lived in Milan. As a once-aspiring countertenor he has an abiding interest in Baroque music.

Prom 48: Pintscher's reflection on Shakespearean metamorphoses