Stocken's Archangels fly over Woodford; Icknield Ensemble delight with Dvorak Quintet

By Ken Ward, 07 November 2011

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Reviewed at St Mary's Church, South Woodford, London on 5 November 2011

Works by Various

Smetana, From My Homeland: two duos for violin and piano, T 128

Stocken, Archangels

Chabrier, 10 Pièces pittoresques (Scherzo Valse)

Dvořák, Piano Quintet no. 2 in A major, Op.81

Anna Le Hair, Piano

Arwen Newband, Violin

Frederick Stocken, Organ, Conductor

Icknield Ensemble

Choir of St Mary's Woodford

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

Nicholas McGegan brings delicacy and elegance to Mendelssohn

Erica Miner, 18th April

The Seattle Symphony offers an enchanting evening immersed in the joy and brilliance of both the young and the mature genius of Felix Mendelssohn.

****1

Picture postcard Spain from the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia

Phil Parker, 17th April

Vibrant, colourful music is played with every last ounce of enthusiasm as the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia rounds off its UK tour at Sheffield City Hall.

****1

Alexandre Kantorow in recital: a pianophile’s dream

Sam Jacobson, 16th April

A daring mix of rarities and late masterpieces at Severance Music Center confirms Alexandre Kantorow as a pianist of both staggering technique and uncommon depth.

*****

A special relationship renewed: Leonard Slatkin returns to Prague

Frank Kuznik, 16th April

Leonard Slatkin returns to the Prague Symphony Orchestra with one of his own pieces, a Schubert tribute that steals the show.

****1

Dependable Mozart and Mendelssohn from the RLPO

Glyn Mon Hughes, 16th April

Aurel Dawidziuk and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra explore darkness and light, although the drama does not always bringing the audience to the edge of its collective seat.

***11

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Ken Ward

Ken Ward spent most of his working life driving buses for Eastern National and London Buses. With a life-long enthusiasm for the works of Bruckner, he became editor of The Bruckner Journal in 2005 and was awarded The Bruckner Society of America 'Kilenyi' Medal of Honor in 2011.