Festive Tchaikovsky from the Philharmonia

By Dominic Lowe, 06 December 2016

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“the musical equivalent of a plate of mince pies and a flagon of mulled wine”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 4 December 2016

Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Polonaise

Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Letter Scene

Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: Waltz

Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin: final scene

Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake: excerpts

Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a: excerpts

Philharmonia Orchestra

Jac van Steen, Conductor

Veronika Dzhioeva, Soprano

Tommi Hakala, Baritone

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.

*****

A Resurrection for the ages: Kent Nagano conducts the Philharmonia

Eleanor Knight, 19th March

Any performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is an event, but this mighty Philharmonia account at the Royal Festival Hall proves extra special.

*****

A brilliant UK premiere of John Adams’ After the Fall

David Karlin, 25th February

The Icelandic pianist and Finnish conductor make a superb case for John Adams' latest concerto; the Philharmonia play Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé strongly but don't convince completely.

****1

Renes replaces Runnicles in a remarkable Philharmonia Bruckner 8

Dominic Lowe, 19th February

Stepping in for Sir Donald Runnicles at very short notice, Lawrences Renes conducts the Philharmonia in a sleek and vivid reading of Bruckner's magisterial Eighth Symphony.

****1

Karpman’s opera Balls tells a great story, but overshoots the line

David Karlin, 20th November

An entertaining portrayal of the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs is marred by ham-fisted amplification.

**111

Giltburg and Foster celebrate the Philharmonia’s 80th birthday

Nick Boston, 17th November

Boris Giltburg emphasising the expression in not one but two piano concertos, with commanding performances from Lawrence Foster and the Philharmonia.

****1

More reviews...

Dominic Lowe

Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.

Festive Tchaikovsky from Jac van Steen and the Philharmonia