Seduced by sound: the Sinfonia of London gives its Barbican debut

By Matthew Rye, 04 December 2022

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“simply one of the most riveting orchestral concerts experienced in a very long time”

Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 2 December 2022

Walton, Scapino, A Comedy Overture

Ravel, Shéhérazade

Gershwin, An American in Paris

Dutilleux, Le Loup

Ravel, Boléro

Sinfonia of London

John Wilson, Conductor

Alice Coote, Mezzo-soprano

Sinfonia of London makes international debut at the Concertgebouw

Clare Varney, 25th November

British pianist Ben Grosvenor joins the Sinfonia of London in Amsterdam for Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto showcasing the very best of British talent

****1

A thrusting Daphnis et Chloé at the BBC Proms

Mark Pullinger, 12th September

John Wilson brings his Sinfonia of London to the BBC Proms to crown the Ravel 150 celebrations with a glowing performance of his hedonistic symphonie chorégraphique.

****1

Electrifying Rachmaninov, searing Shostakovich in Gateshead

Nick Butters, 18th October

Rachmaninov’s First Symphony is brought vividly to life in a new performing edition by John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London in an electrifying concert at The Glasshouse.

*****

Blazing performances of American classics from the Sinfonia of London

Chris Garlick, 4th August

Colourful Americana demonstrates the many strengths of the Sinfonia of London at the BBC Proms.

*****

Prom 30: John Wilson plays Boulanger, Rachmaninov and Walton

Mark Valencia, 6th August

Alim Beisembayev replaces Benjamin Grosvenor in Rach Two, Wilson and the Sinfonia of London give an unforgettable account of Walton's Symphony no. 1.

****1

Full English: Sinfonia of London provides sustenance at Snape

Roy Westbrook, 18th June

Elgar's Second Symphony crowns an all -English programme by John Wilson and his Sinfonia of London at the Aldeburgh Festival.

****1

More reviews...

Matthew Rye

Matthew read music at Oxford and worked in music journalism for 30 years as a writer, critic and editor. He wrote numerous programme and CD booklet notes, spent 13 years as a Daily Telegraph critic, worked at BBC Music Magazine and was reviews editor of The Strad. He also wrote for The Wagner Journal and Opera and blogged at ferneklang.blogspot.co.uk. He was general editor of 1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die (Cassell Illustrated, 2007) and was the author of a new series of eBooks, Masterpieces of Music (Erudition).