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Reviews
New World Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 15 May 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A longing for home meets the wonder of a new world” @ Lucy Walker, CBSO Programme Notes
Guarneri Trio of Prague, Lakeside Arts, Nottingham, 02 May 2024.5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Old friends return to Nottingham’s Lakeside.”
Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 01 May 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff
“An evening of muscular musicality from the Philharmonia.”
Centre stage: Mendelssohn String Octet: CBSO Centre, Birmingham, 26 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An energetic and convincing reading of Mendelssohn’s youthful masterwork.”
Bruckner 7, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 25 April 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A mighty interpretation and performance of a mighty symphony by Anton Bruckner.”
Photo Credit: Jenny Bestwick
BBC Concert Orchestra and Alistair McGowan, Lakeside, Nottingham, 20 April 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Vivid, unsettling music-drama in which the Devil has all the best tunes.”
Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 19 April 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“An exhilarating ride through 60 turbulent years of Russian music.”
Britten & Tchaikovsky, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 17 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Overall: a dreamy concert about dreaming.”
Dresden Philharmonic, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tuesday 16 April 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“Lush Russian romanticism contrasted with Mid-20th Century Russian angst.”
Photo Credit: Bjoern Kadenbach
Angela Hewitt (piano), Lakeside, Nottingham, 11 April 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff. Review: William Ruff.
“Angela Hewitt: an artist of flawless technique and probing intelligence.”
Photo Credit: Keith Saunders.
Good Friday St John Passion with Ex Cathedra, Symphony Hall Birmingham, 29 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A compelling and atmospheric reading of this mighty work.”
Rhapsody in Blue, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 27 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
Image: Courtesy of CBSO
Sinfonia Viva, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 23 March 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff
“A concert memorable for tender restraint and thoughtful intimacy.”
Image: Courtesy of Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Fauré Requiem, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Classical, Birmingham 21 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A concert including dazzling virtuosity and profound spirituality.”
Photo Credit: Andrew Fox, CBSO, photo of: Alexandre Bloch
Hanni Liang (piano) Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham17 March 2024. 3✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Hanni Liang: fine piano-playing - but controversial presentation.”
CBSO Centre Stage: Baroque Ensemble, 01 March 2024, The CBSO Centre, Birmingham. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“An intimate and engaging hour of informal but exquisite music making.”
The Hallé, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. 01 March 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“Sir Mark Elder and Bruckner 8: an overwhelming experience.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
Sakari Conducts Sibelius & Strauss, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 28 February 2024. 4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A frustrating concert. Without a few gremlins, it could have been quite stunning.”
Photo Credit: Benjamin-Ealovega
Marmen Quartet, Lakeside, Nottingham. 22 February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: William Ruff.
“The Marmen Quartet: alive to every nuance of the music they perform.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lakeside Nottingham
Royal Northern Sinfonia, Birmingham Town Hall, 21st February 2024. 5✩✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A glorious evening of music from a similarly glorious band of players under their Principal Conductor, Dinis Sousa, and solo clarinetist, Julian Bliss (pictured).”