Triumph in adversity: Mahler Five from the Proms Festival Orchestra

By Roy Westbrook, 09 September 2021

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“given the obstacles, this was remarkable playing and conducting”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 8 September 2021

Shostakovich, Festive Overture in A major for orchestra, Op.96

Mahler, Symphony no. 5 in C sharp minor

Proms Festival Orchestra

Mark Wigglesworth, Conductor

Terfel’s craggy Boris Godunov returns to Covent Garden

Mark Pullinger, 29th January

The second revival of Richard Jones' staging of Mussorgsky's original 1869 version of Boris Godunov once again stars the Welsh knight.

****1

A Prom of two halves: Mark Wigglesworth and the Bournemouth SO

Leighton Jones, 20th July

The BSO play a trio of 20th-century greats — Ravel and Shostakovich both taking inspiration from the age of jazz, while Walton’s First Symphony provides contrast.

***11

Alena Baeva delivers transcendent Berg at The Anvil

David Truslove, 25th January

Polished playing and inspirational performances in Basingstoke that underline the exciting relationship between Mark Wigglesworth and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

*****

Boulez and Ravel anniversary celebrations launched by the BBC Phil

Peter Connors, 11th January

A rare performance of Boulez' Rituel is followed by four Ravel works, including a fine Piano Concerto in G major featuring Bertrand Chamayou.

****1

Kunde leads Wiener Staatsoper’s shattering Billy Budd

Ako Imamura, 26th October

At 70 years old, American tenor Gregory Kunde makes a magnificent role debut as Captain Vere, with a strong ensemble of singers, chorus, and orchestra in Willy Decker's effective production.

*****

Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel strikes a sour note

Mark Valencia, 16th December

A forgettable Hansel and Gretel is the worst offence of Antony McDonald’s leaden staging which returns to Covent Garden.

**111

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Triumph in adversity: Mahler Five from the Proms Festival Orchestra and Mark Wigglesworth