After ten good years, my laptop finally decided to give up and head into retirement. And after several months of denial, I've finally given in and accepted that it's not going to come back to life. I'll admit I'm rather enjoying the novelty of actually being able to type, copy, paste on my new computer without it being a complete headache. Time for some blog housekeeping! Here are a few of my recent reviews for The Times. Links included. They are all paywalled (go on, subscribe!) but you can sign up for two free articles a week.
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
27 November 2017
Just before the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra arrived in town, its chief conductor Mariss Jansons went on record saying that women conductors weren’t his “cup of tea”. Cue outcry, particularly as the Latvian was also at the Barbican to be awarded the gold medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society.
Full review: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/concert-review-bavarian-rso-jansons-at-the-barbican-ptghg0sk6
The Rake's Progress at Wilton's Music Hall
14 November 2017
There may be a more atmospheric and appropriate theatre in which to stage Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, but I wouldn’t bet on it. The intimate Wilton’s Music Hall is right in scale and feel.
Full review: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/opera-review-the-rakes-progress-at-wiltons-music-hall-e1-6d6g6w3s2
The Riot Ensemble
14 November 2017
Less traditional concert, more experimental music laboratory, this BBC Radio 3 Open Ear event showcased the quite new, the new and the made up on the spot. It’s an interesting formula. That I felt the results were mixed is almost part of the point
Full review: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/concert-review-the-riot-ensemble-holloway-nahum-at-lso-st-lukes-ec1-xlbdcx7rs
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla
10 November 2017
Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No 1 has already become Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s calling card, after he played it to win BBC Young Musician in 2016. This was the second time I’ve heard the 18-year-old cellist play the piece live this year, and if I was secretly expecting a carbon copy, then shame on me. Even in a matter of just a few months, Kanneh-Mason’s interpretation has grown in maturity and stature, and here he gave a thrillingly memorable performance.
Full review: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/concert-review-city-of-birmingham-symphony-orchestra-mirga-grazinyte-tyla-at-symphony-hall-birmingham-rwk07rx07
London Symphony Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda
1 November 2017
It is hard to say who is more of a speed merchant, the pianist Khatia Buniatishvili or the conductor Gianandrea Noseda. Either way, they are kindred hotheads. Luckily, they both have the knack of pushing tempos to their limit and, just at the point of no return, managing to keep the music from free-fall.
Full review: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/concert-review-london-symphony-orchestra-noseda-at-the-barbican-7cs3vbbv0
