French programme with Franck and Gabetta at the Elbphilharmonie

By Alexander Hall, 16 December 2018

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“In the Concerto's opening movement there is a haunting melancholy that goes straight to the heart”

Reviewed at Elbphilharmonie: Grand Hall, Hamburg on 15 December 2018

Dukas, The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Weinberg, Cello Concerto in C minor, Op.43

Strauss R., Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), Op.24

Ravel, La Valse (Balanchine)

Sol Gabetta, Cello

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

Mikko Franck, Conductor

Mirga and the Philhar': impressive Shostakovich in Paris

David Karlin, 14th November

The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France impress mightily under the baton of their new Principal Guest Conductor. Gidon Kremer disappoints in Weinberg.

****1

Thrills without chills in Aix-en-Provence

Charlotte Gardner, 24th April

Beatrice Rana, Mikko Franck and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France bring a thrilling Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto to the Festival de Pâques, even if their Shostakovich 10 is more of a beauty than a bully.

***11

Magnifique! L'Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in Antwerp

Marc Haegeman, 21st October

Franck conducts Franck! In Antwerp Mikko Franck and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France play the Symphony in D minor and are joined by Sol Gabetta for Lalo.

*****

Blasts from the ancient past at Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 27th May

The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France brings a contemporary burnish to the Year of Czech Music with Kryštof Mařatka's new violin concerto, Sanctuaries – In the Depths of Cave Paintings.

****1

In love with Stravinsky, Offenbach and Barbara Hannigan in Paris

Laurence Vittes, 28th May

Audiences return to the Maison de la Radio for Barbara Hannigan and l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

*****

Chung and Alagna outstanding in Otello at Orange

David Karlin, 3rd August

From Otello's opening thunderstorm, Myung Whun Chung and the Orchestre Philharmonique de France leave us gasping, while Alagna turns in a magnetic performance in the title role.

****1

More reviews...

Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall divides his time between London and Hamburg, where he had a career in academic administration and teaching. He reviews for Bachtrack and Opera Today, and has also reviewed for Classical Source. A connoisseur of the great orchestras of the world, his musical memories stretch back to Karajan/Berlin Phil, Mravinsky/Leningrad Phil, Bernstein/Vienna Phil, and he has seen most of the great conductors from the past, including Böhm, Klemperer, Kubelik, Ormandy and Szell.

A French orchestral melange with Franck and Gabetta at the Elbphilharmonie