A matter of Life and Death: Beethoven’s Fourth and Brahms’ Requiem

By David Fay, 19 February 2012

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Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 16 February 2012

Beethoven, Symphony no. 4 in B flat major, Op.60

Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem), Op.45

Philharmonia Orchestra

Christoph von Dohnányi, Conductor

Susan Gritton, Soprano

Sir Simon Keenlyside, Baritone

Philharmonia Chorus

A Resurrection for the ages: Kent Nagano conducts the Philharmonia

Eleanor Knight, 19th March

Any performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is an event, but this mighty Philharmonia account at the Royal Festival Hall proves extra special.

*****

A brilliant UK premiere of John Adams’ After the Fall

David Karlin, 25th February

The Icelandic pianist and Finnish conductor make a superb case for John Adams' latest concerto; the Philharmonia play Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé strongly but don't convince completely.

****1

Renes replaces Runnicles in a remarkable Philharmonia Bruckner 8

Dominic Lowe, 19th February

Stepping in for Sir Donald Runnicles at very short notice, Lawrences Renes conducts the Philharmonia in a sleek and vivid reading of Bruckner's magisterial Eighth Symphony.

****1

Karpman’s opera Balls tells a great story, but overshoots the line

David Karlin, 20th November

An entertaining portrayal of the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs is marred by ham-fisted amplification.

**111

Giltburg and Foster celebrate the Philharmonia’s 80th birthday

Nick Boston, 17th November

Boris Giltburg emphasising the expression in not one but two piano concertos, with commanding performances from Lawrence Foster and the Philharmonia.

****1

Paavo Järvi and the Philharmonia: a debut and a swansong

Roy Westbrook, 9th November

Alena Baeva impresses in her belated Philharmonia debut, playing Max Bruch’s evergreen First Violin Concerto.

****1

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David Fay

David studied Music and French at Bristol University and is now undertaking a PhD in Musicology. His specialism is religious music but his musical passions range from Alkaline Trio to Zadok the Priest.