A thrusting Daphnis et Chloé at the BBC Proms

John Wilson conducts the Sinfonia of London

John Wilson and James Ehnes

The Sinfonia of London Chorus and the Sinfonia of London

By Mark Pullinger, 13 September 2025

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“the Danse guerrière in the pirates’ camp oozed testosterone”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 12 September 2025

Strauss R., Don Juan, Op.20

Bernstein, Serenade after Plato's "Symposium"

Bach, Violin sonata no. 3 in C major, BWV1005 (Allegro assai)

Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé

Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping Beauty, Op.66: Panorama

James Ehnes, Violin

Sinfonia of London Chorus

Simon Halsey, Choirmaster / chorus director

Sinfonia of London

John Wilson, Conductor

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

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

Sally Beamish lights up Sinfonia of London's Aldeburgh Festival debut

Roy Westbrook, 17th June

A programme of orchestral showpieces are given the John Wilson treatment, although Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances disappoints.

***11

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.

A thrusting Daphnis et Chloé brings the BBC Proms Ravel celebrations to a climax