Hannigan balances light and dark in Gothenburg

By Cameron Kelsall, 17 September 2021

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“Aphrodite Patoulidou... displayed a shimmering, transparent timbre”

Reviewed at Gothenburg Concert Hall, Gothenburg on 17 September 2021

Vivier, Wo bist du, Licht?

Haydn, Symphony no. 26 in D minor "Lamentatione"

Vivier, Lonely Child, for soprano and orchestra

Busoni, Berceuse élégiaque, Op.42

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Barbara Hannigan, Conductor

Tuuri Dede, Mezzo-soprano

Aphrodite Patoulidou, Soprano

Memorable Symphone fantastique, austere Sibelius from the GSO

David Karlin, 25th November

The precise control of Santu-Matthias Rouvali yields a reference Symphonie fantastique from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra; the Sibelius Violin Concerto is less convincing.

****1

Barbara Hannigan tackles Mahler’s Fourth in Gothenburg

Edward Sava-Segal, 1st October

Singing as well as conducting, Barbara Hannigan leads the GSO in symphonies by Haydn and Mahler.

****1

Pandemic programming: Shostakovich and Sibelius in Gothenburg

Roy Westbrook, 17th September

Saraste’s mastery in Sibelius is hardly a surprise, and neither is the calibre of the orchestra Sibelius himself often visited to conduct.

****1

Peter Mattei's moving Mahler in Gothenburg season opener

Timothy Robson, 10th September

Baritone Peter Mattei brought both musical sensitivity as well as almost Berg-ian drama to Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, ably supported by Manfred Honeck and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, in a successful livestream concert.

***11

Ravel’s playful sound worlds with Alice Sara Ott

David Renke, 20th February

In which Santtu-Matias Rouvali and the Gothenburg Symphony seek out a contrast with the dark sound colours of Sibelius.

****1

Rouvali brings Kullervo to Gothenburg

David Karlin, 14th September

Sibelius' Kalevala-inspired epic is given the full treatment by the Orphei Drängar choir and the Gothenburg Symphony in Santtu-Matias Rouvali's inaugural concert as Chief Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony.

****1

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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.

Barbara Hannigan balances light and dark with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra