Shostakovich 4 at the Edinburgh Festival

By David Smythe, 25 August 2017

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“Gergiev caught the balance of moods perfectly”

Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 23 August 2017

Prokofiev, Symphony no. 1 in D major "Classical", Op.25

Britten, Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge for string orchestra, Op.10

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 4 in C minor, Op.43

Valery Gergiev, Conductor

Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Miraculous Russians: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky in Florence

Elena Luporini, 11th December

Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra call in at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino for a programme of Prokofiev, Bartók and Stravinsky... and Gergiev picks up the keys to the city too.

****1

Alexandre Kantorow wows with the Mariinsky Orchestra in Antwerp

Marc Haegeman, 15th October

Think of a poet irresistibly teasing your senses by his creative use of rhythm, his unpredictable style of speech and his unfailing imagination.

****1

In Rimsky's Kitezh, Gergiev eventually weaves some Russian magic

Mark Pullinger, 8th October

In Gergiev's late, late show, Mao Fujita impresses in Tchaikovsky, but episodes from Berlioz' Roméo et Juliette are given a Shakespearean speed read.

***11

Matvey Demin’s stellar UK debut flanked by an invigorated Gergiev

Young-Jin Hur, 7th October

Gergiev, Demin, and the Mariinsky Orchestra deliver a performance full of vitality, virtuosity, and determination.

****1

Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky bring a Russian programme to Lucerne

Edward Sava-Segal, 30th August

The very talented Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov is an artist whose musicality transcends the mere virtuosic prowess.

****1

An ideal troika at Cadogan Hall

Roy Westbrook, 4th March

Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra return to Cadogan Hall for the second of their Petipa/Tchaikovsky tributes.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.

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