Ustvolskaya’s piano sonatas shake the walls of the Purcell Room

By Marat Ingeldeev, 08 July 2024

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“any silence, whether short or long, felt extremely uncomfortable, even baring”

Reviewed at Purcell Room, London on 6 July 2024

Ustvolskaya, Piano Sonata no. 4

Ustvolskaya, Piano Sonata no. 5

Ustvolskaya, Piano Sonata no. 6

Siwan Rhys, Piano

Never judge an album by its cover: Last Days premieres at the ROH

Mark Valencia, 7th October

Oliver Leith's opera is inspired by the death of Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain and it turns out to be a mesmerising, fulfilling creation.

****1

Lost for words: Asmik Grigorian excels at Wigmore Hall

Roy Westbrook, 26th May

A first half of vocalises gives way to all Strauss after the interval as the Lithuanian superstar soprano helps Wigmore Hall celebrate its 125th anniversary.

****1

A self-congratulatory Cecilia Bartoli show at Salzburg Whitsun

Laura Servidei, 24th May

This year’s Salzburg Whitsun Festival gala, Ciao, bella ciao, features Cecilia Bartoli in a highly personalised musical programme structured as an autobiographical journey, unfolding as a blend of concert and self-portrait.

Sumptuous Sheffield Chamber Music Festival finale

Phil Parker, 23rd May

Ensemble 360 and soprano Claire Booth test to the limits the definition of ‘chamber music’ in this richly orchestral closing concert of the 2026 Sheffield Chamber Music Festival.

****1

More gold than corn: María Dueñas plays Korngold at the Barbican

Mark Pullinger, 22nd May

The young Spanish violinist proves an ardent advocate for a work originally dismissed as a “Hollywood Concerto” as the BBC Symphony Orchestra closes its Barbican season.

****1

Memorable Mendelssohn from Marek Janowski and the New York Phil

Susan Stempleski, 21st May

Principal Trumpet Christopher Martin plays Haydn before the esteemed German maestro conducts a vibrant Scottish Symphony.

****1

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Marat Ingeldeev

Marat Ingeldeev is a London-based music journalist, critic, researcher & podcaster. For more information on Marat and his projects, click here.

Galina Ustvolskaya’s piano sonatas shake the walls of the Purcell Room