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

Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra

The Royal Albert Hall

By Leighton Jones, 30 August 2023

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“memorable and emotional music that inspires and ignites the imagination”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 28 August 2023

Shore, Film music from Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Suite

Djawadi, Game of Thrones (Suite)

Falla, El amor brujo (Love, the Magician) for orchestra and mezzo (excerpts)

Arnold, Good Omens: main theme

Williams, Film music from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Hedwig's theme

Stravinsky, The Firebird: Berceuse

Stravinsky, The Firebird: Finale

Mussorgsky, Night on the Bare Mountain

Balfe, His Dark Materials (Medley)

Hisaishi, My Neighbour Totoro

Noone, World of Warcraft: Malach, the Angel Messenger

Grieg, Peer Gynt Suite: In the Hall of the Mountain King

Williams, Film music from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - IV: Duel of the Fates

Felicity Buckland, Mezzo-soprano

Huddersfield Choral Society

BBC Concert Orchestra

Anna-Maria Helsing, 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

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.

****1

Polished Glass from Mari Samuelsen at the Southbank Centre

Mark Pullinger, 5th May

Philip Glass' Violin Concerto draws a big crowd to the Southbank Centre for an evening with the BBC Concerto Orchestra packed with music by contemporary composers.

***11

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Leighton Jones

Leighton has extensive teaching experience from early years to postgraduate level music. Currently he works as a primary music specialist, visiting instrumental teacher and examiner. As a pianist, he was inspired to play after hearing Moura Lympany at a young age and has a large collection of her recordings. Leighton’s postgraduate studies focussed on his interest in 20th-century English orchestral music, with particular study of Britten, Rawsthorne, Walton and Vaughan Williams. A keen choral singer he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of chiefly British choral music.