Singular gems in a traditional setting in Stockholm

By Edward Sava-Segal, 17 September 2020

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“Manze treated every detail with utmost care”

Reviewed at Konserthuset Stockholm: Stora Salen, Stockholm on 17 September 2020

Leyman, Roller Coaster: Super 8

Britten, Les Illuminations, for soprano or tenor and strings, Op.18

Stravinsky, The Firebird: Suite

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Andrew Manze, Conductor

Hanna Husáhr, Soprano

Musical tributes to Festival d’Aix as it wins Birgit Nilsson Prize

Peter Quantrill, 21st October

Pierre Audi is remembered in words and music as the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence receives $1m – the richest prize in classical music – at Stockholm’s Konserthuset.

Bancroft and the Royal Stockholm Phil brass shine in Bruckner

David Karlin, 24th October

The RSPO's Chief Conductor leads an impressive Bruckner 4. With Augustin Hagelich, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is lighter fare, but trips merrily.

****1

Music, people, planet: a triumphant celebration in music for Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 18th October

The celebrated cellist becomes the first instrumentalist to be presented the Birgit Nilsson Prize by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf at the official Award Ceremony in Stockholm.

*****

Birgit Nilsson Prize: dazzling Dvořák from the ever-smiling Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 16th October

Yo-Yo Ma's beatific serenity speaks volumes about his approach to life and music as he gives a performance in Stockholm's Konserthuset ahead of receiving the Birgit Nilsson Prize later in the week.

****1

Old works and new from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the RSPO

Sandra Bowdler, 25th November

An intriguing programming of old and new works, covering the time period 1893 to 1976, which themselves contain elements of old and new, beautifully performed.

****1

Grande Finale 4: Oramo and the RSPO conclude a majestic Sibelius cycle

Roy Westbrook, 29th May

In between the two symphonies, there was an extra Sibelius item, and this time it was a novelty.

*****

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Edward Sava-Segal

Edward has been living in New York for the last 25 years, one of the reasons being the extraordinarily rich cultural life in this city. He has studied piano and classical music in his early years. He switched later on to computer science and data architecture but he kept an unwavering interest in following the classical music phenomenon here in New York and in his travels. Edward occasionally reviews fine arts events for the most prestigious literary magazine in Romania, his home country.