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Reviews
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 25 November 2023. 5*****: William Ruff.
“The RLPO on top form in repertoire both serious and spectacular.”
Boris Giltburg plays Rachmaninov, Town Hall, Birmingham 23 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A towering achievement that brings Rachmaninov’s preludes to vivid life.”
Aaron Azunda Akugbo, Lakeside, Nottingham, 23 November 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
“Virtuosity and variety from two engaging musicians.”
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November, 2023. 5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Powerful and complete readings of two romantic masterpieces .’
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO, Photograph of Francesca Dego.
Edward Scissorhands, Theatre Royal Plymouth, until 25 November, 2023 and touring. 5*****: Cormac Richards
‘Edward Scissorhands is a supreme theatrical achievement on every level.’
Photo Credit: Johan Persson.
Bach and Schumann, CBSO, Symphony Hall. Birmingham. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘A stunning performance of a Schumann symphony, but some tensions between an early music approach by a modern orchestra in their performance of Bach.’
Scottish Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 08 November, 2023. 4****: David Gray & Paul Gray.
‘Upstairs downstairs, brooding fjords and highland flings; a multifaceted afternoon in the concert hall.’
Photo: Courtesy of CBSO.
Trio Gaspard. Lakeside, Nottingham, 09 November, 2023. 4****: William Ruff.
‘Trio Gaspard: 18th century elegance and 19th century intensity.’
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
Malevo. The Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, London WC2 to 04 November, 2023. 4****: William Russell.
‘Breathtaking Argentinian machismo impeccably drilled.’
Photo credit: Malevo.
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.’
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
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