RSNO: Søndergård conducts Messiaen's Turangalîla-symphonie

By Alan Coady, 17 March 2014

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Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 14 March 2014

Messiaen, Turangalîla-Symphonie

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Thomas Søndergård, Conductor

Markus Bellheim, Piano

Jacques Tchamkerten, Ondes Martenot

Kristiina Poska makes an exciting return to conduct the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 20th March

Kristiina Poska directs the RSNO in gripping Tchaikovsky and Pärt, but words and music only occasionally match in Elena Langer's new song cycle.

***11

Felix Klieser plays Strauss with the RSNO, before Bruckner exodus

Simon Thompson, 21st February

Felix Klieser is quietly remarkable as he plays Strauss' First Horn Concerto with the RSNO, but why did so many people walk out during Bruckner's Eighth Symphony?

****1

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****1

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The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Thomas Søndergård open their season, continuing their Mahler cycle, with the Seventh Symphony.

****1

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The festival’s closing concert brings drama from the RSNO and conductor Thomas Søndergård, but Christopher Maltman's Elijah brings the presence of greatness.

****1

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Alan Coady

Alan has taught classical guitar in East Lothian schools since 1982. A graduate in Music of the then Huddersfield Polytechnic, he has a soft spot for the contemporary. He also writes a Musical Blog, where the special interest is the intersection of music/language/science.