Prom 66: John Luther Adams delivers a massive hymn to the land

By Gus Mitchell, 11 September 2019

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“Adams’ lifelong environmentalism adds resonance to this philosophy of music”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 8 September 2019

Adams, In the Name of the Earth (European premiere)

Choirs to include:,

BBC Symphony Chorus

Crouch End Festival Chorus

Hackney Empire Community Choir

London International Gospel Choir

London Philharmonic Choir

London Symphony Chorus

LSO Community Voices

Victoria Park Singers

Fine Lindberg and Stravinsky double bill from the BBC Symphony

Roy Westbrook, 6th February

After a performance of Magnus Lindberg’s First Violin Concerto by Lisa Batiashvili at the Barbican, Stravinsky’s Perséphone stands the test of time.

****1

Sir James MacMillan delights with his Christmas Oratorio

David Karlin, 19th December

MacMillan's large scale choral work offers a rich variety of texts and musical ideas, the composer conducts the BBC Symphony with unerring precision.

*****

The First Night of the BBC Proms: celebration and redemption

Peter Quantrill, 18th July

The BBC's annual classical jamboree is launched in fine style with a premiere and a timely revival, conducted by Sakari Oramo.

****1

Mixed results from Dalia Stasevska's trio of 20th-century works

David Truslove, 12th March

Seldom heard and standard repertoire bring mixed results from Dalia Stasevska, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Chorus.

***11

An evening of poignant elegy from Sakari Oramo and the BBCSO

Susannah Moody, 24th January

Oramo leads the BBC Symphony Orchestra and trumpeter Verneri Pohjola in a moving tribute to Kaija Saariaho with the UK premiere of her concerto HUSH.

*****

A memorable Dream of Gerontius from the BBCSO and Sakari Oramo

Mark Valencia, 13th December

A solo trio of David Butt Philip, Dame Sarah Connolly and Roderick Williams draw on extensive stage experience to inhabit their roles in a naturally assured, vividly communicative fashion.

****1

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Gus Mitchell

Gus is a recent graduate in English from Trinity College, Cambridge. He is especially attracted to music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the piano and its history.