Elder and Elgar: riveting Enigma Variations from Sir Mark in Antwerp

By Cameron Kelsall, 14 May 2021

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“Stephanie d’Oustrac met the work’s challenges with elegance and skill”

Reviewed at Queen Elisabeth Hall, Antwerp on 14 May 2021

Berlioz, Les Nuits d'été, Op.7

Elgar, Enigma Variations on an Original Theme for Orchestra, Op.36

Stéphanie d'Oustrac, Mezzo-soprano

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Sir Mark Elder, Conductor

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Despite distancing, the members of Collegium Vocale Gent filled the Queen Elisabeth Hall with an impressively cohesive sound, transparent and powerful at the same time.

****1

Jaap van Zweden welcomed back in Antwerp

Zoltán Szabó, 12th February

The Dutch conductor returns to his old orchestra for a concert stream of Beethoven, with Nicholas Angelich, and Tchaikovsky.

****1

All-Russian Sunday matinee double bill from Elim Chan in Antwerp

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Interrupted melody in Vondráček’s Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto, but magnificent playing from Chan and the Antwerp Symphony.

***11

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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.