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Reviews
Ainadamar, Osvaldo Golijov, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome, 07 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray and Paul Gray.
‘A powerful and thoughtful piece of total theatre.’
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 04 November, 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
‘The Ukrainian national orchestra in music which defies the odds.’
Jayson Gillham, Piano, Lakeside, Nottingham, 02 November, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
‘Jaw-dropping pianism from Jayson Gillham.’
Brahms 3, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, CBSO, 01 November, 2023. 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Intelligent programming results in an evening full of interest and variety.’
Photo Credit: Annette Koroll FOTOS
Sinfonia Viva, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 29 October, 2023. 4****: William Ruff
‘Sinfonia Viva in warm, perceptive performances of favourite pieces for string orchestra.’
Petr Limonov (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 29 October, 2023. 4****: William Ruff
‘Pianist Petr Limonov impresses across a wide range of musical styles.’
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 27 October, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff
‘A concert of glorious tunes, virtuoso fireworks and unbridled emotion.’
Chiaroscuro Quartet, Lakeside, Nottingham, 26 October, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff
‘The Chiaroscuro Quartet: playing of wit, elegance and subtlety.’
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, Birmingham Hippodrome, 18 October 2023 ‘till 04 November 2023, then on tour ‘till 04 February 2024. 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
‘Roald Dahl’s sense of wicked fun brought to life in a lively musical adaptation.’
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 12 October, 2023. 3***: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Some wonderful, large-scale orchestral playing, but a rather lacklustre piano solo.’
Photo of Jeneba Kanneh-Mason
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Birmingham Hippodrome, 10 October, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray
‘Strong performances all round in a lively explosion of a show.’
Leonkoro Quartet, Lakeside, Nottingham, 12 October, 2023. 5*****: William Ruff
‘The Leonkoro Quartet: one of the world’s finest chamber ensembles.’
Kazuki Conducts Rachmaninoff, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 04 October, 2023. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Exceptionally fine playing of what was, predominantly, some rather less than overwhelming music.’
Photo of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Merchant of Venice: William ShakespeareThe Swan, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford Upon Avon. Runs: 2h 10m , one interval. 5*****: Roderick Dungate.
‘Firm hands, sharp intellects, frightening clarity.’
Thomas Trotter – Celebrating 40 Years as Birmingham City Organist, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 06 October, 2023. 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘City Organist, Thomas Trotter quite literally “pulls out all the stops”.’
Nottingham BBC Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 05 October, 2023. William Ruff: 4****
‘The BBC Phil kickstarts a new Nottingham concert season with colour and excitement.’
Shostakovich Symphony No.8, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 September, 2023. 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Committed and engaging performances of two very different Russian Masterpieces.’
MacBeth: William Shakespeare RSC, Stratford Upon Avon. Performance: Audio described performance Runs: 3h 15m, one interval, till 14 October, 2023. 2 **: Roderick Dungate.
‘A production that looks for the effect of everything but finds the value of nothing.’
Southwell Music Festival 2023Southwell Minster and other venues in Southwell, 25 - 28 August, 2023. Review: William Ruff
‘The sound was a revelation.’
As You Like It, William Shakespeare RSC: Main House, Stratford Upon Avon , till 05 August, 2023. 5*****: Roderick Dungate.
A clever idea reveals the play in a gentle and moving performance.