Sir Donald Runnicles does it all in Atlanta

By Cameron Kelsall, 06 April 2021

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“Runnicles... made the piano writing a star in its own right”

Reviewed at Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta on 1 April 2021

Simon, An Elegy: A Cry from the Grave

Debussy, Chansons de Bilitis

Britten, Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge for string orchestra, Op.10

Wagner, Wesendonck-Lieder (arr. Henze)

Kelley O'Connor, Mezzo-soprano

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Sir Donald Runnicles, Conductor

Violin megastar Gil Shaham wows Atlanta with Korngold concerto

William E Ford, 12th November

Guest Conductor Hannu Lintu makes an auspicious Atlanta Symphony debut conducting Sibelius, Korngold and Higdon.

*****

In Atlanta, Avi Avital delights in Jennifer Higdon's Mandolin Concerto

William E Ford, 2nd April

In Atlanta, conductor Robert Spano, mandolinist Avi Avital and composer Jennifer Higdon ignite fiery performances.

*****

Ksenija Sidorova returns to Symphony Hall and Astor Piazzolla

William E Ford, 3rd February

Kalmar and Sidorova pair up for a powerful performance of Piazzolla's Aconcagua in Atlanta.

***11

Thrilling Brahms from Sir Donald Runnicles and the Atlanta Symphony

William E Ford, 2nd December

An impressive concert at Symphony Hall also features Melody Eötvös' The Deciding Machine and Jacquelyn Stucker singing Strauss.

****1

A perfect pair: Barber’s Knoxville and Mahler's Fourth in Atlanta

Timothy Robson, 10th June

Robert Spano conducts a fine pairing of Romantic works in his final performance with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra after twenty years as their music director.

***11

Florid Mozart – and Reinecke – from the Atlanta Symphony and Runnicles

Laurence Vittes, 8th April

Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp is followed by a grand, exhilarating performance of Beethoven's Fourth 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.