Thomas Søndergård and his Welsh forces score a hit with Rachmaninov’s The Bells

By David Truslove, 04 October 2015

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at St David's Hall, Cardiff on 3 October 2015

Stravinsky, Feu d'artifice (Fireworks), Op.4

Watkins, London Concerto

Borodin, Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances

Elgar, Cockaigne (In London Town) - overture for orchestra, Op.40

Rachmaninov, The Bells, for choir and orchestra, Op.35

Thomas Søndergård, Conductor

Anastasia Kalagina, Soprano

Misha Didyk, Tenor

Mikhail Petrenko, Bass

Rachel Gough, Bassoon

Hannah Stone, Harp

Malin Broman, Violin

BBC National Chorus of Wales

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Nail-biting Shostakovich from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Dominic Lowe, 15th August

Before a searing performance of Shostakovich's Thirteenth from Ryan Bancroft and his Welsh forces, Benjamin Grosvenor delivers a terrific performance of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major.

****1

Bancroft and BBCNOW at the Proms: a deeply satisfying Mahler 3

David Karlin, 11th August

Bancroft and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales provide a Mahler 3 of exceptional clarity and forward momentum, with terrific posthorn solos from Corey Morris and Beth Taylor an outstanding soloist.

****1

Exciting Bacewicz and Lutosławski from Tadaaki Otaka and the BBC NOW

Nick Boston, 30th July

Strong performances of Bacewicz and Lutosławski in Tadaaki Otaka's final outing with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Proms, with technically commanding and sincere Rachmaninov from Vadym Kholodenko.

***11

Nil Venditti impresses in BBC Proms debut

Christopher Woodley, 12th August

Beethoven and Sir Karl Jenkins receive top-notch performances from Nil Venditti and the BBC NOW.

****1

A choral treat to savour: Verdi’s Requiem at the BBC Proms

David Karlin, 23rd July

An outstanding choral performance by nearly 300 singers of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and the Crouch End Festival Chorus lights up Verdi’s hybrid of opera and devotional music.

*****

Music that eats into you: Schoenberg and Zemlinsky at the BBC Proms

Alexander Hall, 22nd July

The Proms are often very clever at recreating musical events from the past. Here, two works originally premiered in 1905 are given a fresh outing by Ryan Bancroft and BBC NOW.

****1

More reviews...

David Truslove

After many years as a musician – conducting choirs, singing as a lay clerk at Winchester Cathedral and an involvement in education, David now writes programme notes, occasionally composes and enjoys a busy schedule of reviewing.