A new ensemble performs Schubert in a deserted Wigmore Hall

By Zoltán Szabó, 11 January 2021

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“Collins... seemed not to need a new breath for extended passages”

Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 8 January 2021

Schubert, Octet in F major, D.803, Op.166

Wigmore Soloists

Isabelle van Keulen, Violin

Laura Samuel, Violin

Timothy Ridout, Viola

Kristina Blaumane, Cello

Tim Gibbs, Double Bass

Michael Collins, Clarinet

Robin O'Neill, Bassoon

Alberto Menéndez Escribano, French horn

Andrey Boreyko and the LPO light up the Royal Festival Hall

Christopher Woodley, 18th March

Boreyko and the LPO shine in Victoria Vita Polevá's tribute to Ukraine and Elena Langer setting of Edward Lear, and give a dazzling performance of Shostakovich 5.

*****

Suganandarajah and Collins delight in Weber at Belfast’s Ulster Hall

Leighton Jones, 26th January

Leslie Suganandarajah brings an evening of classical elegance with the Ulster Orchestra, while Michael Collins shines in a rarely performed concerto.

****1

German Romanticism given a fresh lick of paint by the Philharmonia

David Truslove, 15th January

Some thrilling moments in a memorable evening of Brahms and Weber, with the Philharmonia and Michael Collins on riveting form.

****1

Daniele Rustioni flies The Star Spangled Banner in Belfast

Leighton Jones, 3rd June

From the streets of New York to America’s southern states, Daniele Rustioni with the Ulster Orchestra present an all American evening, with some fine playing.

***11

Warmth and pleasure in music-making from Collins and LMP

Nick Boston, 1st October

Playful Weber and sublime Mozart performed with warmth and joy by Michael Collins and the London Mozart Players from the lofty St Pancras clock tower.

****1

A lunchtime feast from Michael Collins and Michael McHale

Mark Pullinger, 18th June

Two Michaels – Collins and McHale – provided the musical nourishment in today’s lunchtime recital from Wigmore Hall, a feast of classic clarinet sonatas.

****1

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Zoltán Szabó

Zoltán Szabó is a cellist and musicologist. Having migrated from his native Hungary to Australia in 1985, he worked with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Sydney until 1991, when he became Principal Cello with Opera Australia. In 2017, he was awarded with a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD). Currently, he is teaching music history and musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.