Bravura Bernstein with the John Wilson Orchestra

By Frances Wilson, 06 September 2015

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“Bernstein's music was magically brought to life with vivid colour and foot-tapping energy”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 5 September 2015

Bernstein, On the Town: New York, New York

Bernstein, On the Town: Lonely Town

Bernstein, On the Town: I Can Cook, Too

Bernstein, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: The President Jefferson Sunday Luncheon Party March

Bernstein, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: Take Care of This House

Bernstein, Wonderful Town: I'm a little bit in love

Bernstein, Wonderful Town: A Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man

Bernstein, On the Waterfront: Symphonic Suite

Bernstein, Candide: Overture

Bernstein, Candide: Nothing More than This

Bernstein, Candide: Glitter and Be Gay

Bernstein, West Side Story: Dance at the Gym

Bernstein, West Side Story: Maria

Bernstein, West Side Story: Gee, Officer Krupke

Bernstein, Trouble in Tahiti: Island Magic

Bernstein, Peter Pan: Dream with Me

Bernstein, Candide: Make our Garden Grow

Bernstein, West Side Story: America

Louise Dearman, Vocals

Julian Ovenden, Vocals

Lucy Schaufer, Mezzo-soprano

Scarlett Strallen, Soprano

Maida Vale Singers

John Wilson Orchestra

John Wilson, Conductor

Superlative playing from the John Wilson Orchestra

Benjamin Poore, 11th August

The effervescent John Wilson and his orchestra make Bernstein's musical sparks fly.

***11

A sharp, crisp Oklahoma! at the BBC Proms

Mark Valencia, 11th August

Nathaniel Hackmann, a stocky baritone with the tenderest of timbres, was like a reincarnation of Alfred Drake.

****1

Prom 38: John Wilson plays Gershwin

Kathryn Wareham, 13th August

A packed Royal Albert Hall were treated to no less than seventeen works written and inspired by George and Ira Gershwin, in addition to three encores.

****1

Smooth operation: the Frank Sinatra Prom

Charlotte Valori, 7th August

The John Wilson Orchestra was on superb form for this stylish Prom, delving into Sinatra's back catalogue with Seth MacFarlane.

***11

Kiss Me, Kate dazzles at the Proms

Julia Savage, 2nd August

The John Wilson Orchestra has rapidly established itself as a Proms highlight. Following on from a standout My Fair Lady in 2012, this year's Kiss Me, Kate showed the Orchestra at its very best, with an equally fabulous cast and crew.

****1

John Wilson Orchestra in Manchester

Andrew H. King, 19th November

Hooray for John Wilson and the magnificent musicians of his orchestra, for this programme of classics from Hollywood's golden age performed at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.

*****

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Frances Wilson

A keen concert-goer, Frances is a pianist, piano teacher and blogger on pianism, music and culture.

Prom 67: Bravura Bernstein with the John Wilson Orchestra