Outstanding Shostakovich from Alisa Weilerstein

By Julia Zupancic, 26 October 2015

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Reviewed at Leeds Town Hall, Leeds on 24 October 2015

Strauss R., Don Juan, Op.20

Shostakovich, Cello Concerto no. 2 in G major, Op.126

Bach, Cello suite no. 3 in C major, BWV1009 (Sarabande)

Dvořák, Symphony no. 8 in G major, Op.88

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Rafael Payare, Conductor

Alisa Weilerstein, Cello

Astonishing Mahler 2 from Runnicles and the BBC Scottish

David Smythe, 1st March

Sir Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish reunite for an astonishing Mahler 2 with Karen Cargill, Jennifer Davis and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

*****

Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish

Simon Thompson, 8th February

Despite the presence of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto on the bill, it is a gripping performance of Samuel Barber's First Symphony that steals this Usher Hall Sunday matinee.

****1

Meditative and powerful Górecki at Celtic Connections

David Smythe, 20th January

The Celtic Connections festival showcases Górecki’s Sorrowful Songs, the BBC Scottish with soprano Francesca Chiejina conducted by Pawel Kapula with a thoughtful introductory song set from Alice Zawadzki.

****1

Celebrating 90 years of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

David Smythe, 20th November

Martyn Brabbins conducts MacMillan’s Confession of Isobel Gowdie, BBCSSO founder Ian Whyte’s forgotten Violin Concerto with Stephanie Gonley, and a memorable Rachmaninov 2.

****1

Canellakis brings sparkle and shine to Stravinsky and Bernstein

Simon Thompson, 21st August

Karina Canellakis brings a riot of Technicolor to the Edinburgh International Festival, but countertenor Hugh Cutting threatens to steal the show in Chichester Psalms.

****1

Revelatory Birtwistle and Beethoven from the BBC Scottish SO

Peter Quantrill, 28th July

A composer-conductor's insight yields lasting rewards in Earth Dances and the Eroica at the Royal Albert Hall.

*****

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Julia Zupancic

Julia is a PhD student at the University of Munich who is currently based in Leeds as a Visiting Researcher. She loves writing about music (e.g. in her blog http://avantmusic.hypotheses.org) and playing the piano, and she has a keen interest in aesthetics and contemporary music.

Outstanding Shostakovich from Alisa Weilerstein in Leeds