Reviews Archive
Beautiful Brahms, Birmingham Bach Choir, CBSO Centre, Birmingham 1 July 2023, 4****, David Gray & Paul Gray
An exploration of some of Brahms' less well known choral music
Summer Music by Candlelight, St Paul’s Church, Hockley, Birmingham, 21 June 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
An atmospheric and compelling evening of beautiful choral music & readings by candlelight.
Beethoven’s Ninth, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 18 June 2023, 4****, David Gray & Paul Gray
A concert with many highlights and a few shortcomings
Kazuki Conducts Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 7 June 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A big romantic reading of one of the biggest, most romantic symphonies, and the dawn of a whole new and exhilarating period of much needed change for the CBSO
Benjamin Grosvenor plays Chopin, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 1 June 2023, 5**** David Gray & Paul Gray
Grosvenor plays with exquisite clarity and astonishing technical flexibility
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 16 May 2023. 4****, David Gray & Paul Gray
A stunning performance of one of the most challenging Piano Concertos in the repertoire, by Pianist Barry Douglas
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Birmingham Town Hall, 17 May 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
Elegance, expression and consummate artistry
Beethoven's Seventh @ Birmingham Symphony Hall: CBSO, 10th May 2023 - 5***** Reviewers: David & Paul Gray
An outstanding evening of music-making with the CBSO on top-form and Composer, Clarinetist & Conductor extraordinaire, Jorg Widman (b.1973)
Kazuki Conducts Scheherazade, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 3 May 2023, 4****, David Gray & Paul Gray
Some tentative Brahms followed by rousing Rimsky-Korsakov
Pavel Haas Quartet (on tour) Town Hall, Birmingham, April 28th 2023: 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 21 April 2023, 5***** David & Paul Gray
Thrilling playing by a fine visiting orchestra, with the added bonus of a perfect performance of a Beethoven Piano Concerto by Sir Stephen Hough
Four Seasons, Town Hall, Birmingham, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) 22 April 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A terrific sense of the conversational and of the intimate in this radiant and emotionally moving performance.
CBSO - Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, Symphony Hall, 13th April 2023, 4**** Reviewers - David Gray & Paul Gray
Good Friday St Matthew Passion, Ex Cathedra, Friday 7 April 2023, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 5**** Reviewers - David Gray & Paul Gray
Another magnificent performance of this wonderful work
Romeo & Juliet, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wednesday 15 March 2023. 4**** David & Paul Gray
Lush romanticism and moments of power
Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, Hereford Cathedral, Hereford Choral Society, 18 March 2023, 4****. David Gray & Paul Gray
A performance of great technical accomplishment and power
CBSO: Shostakovich Fifth Symphony, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 7 December 2022
An outstanding performance of a little known violin concerto by Nielsen, and a mostly excellent Shostakovich Fifth Symphony
Handel's Messiah, City of Birmingham Choir & City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 09 December 2022 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
A fresh take on an iconic classic.
Birds of Paradise: The Lark Ascending, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 23 November 2022, 3*** David Gray
A concert that, despite its subject matter, too often failed to take flight
The Hermes Experiment, Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 22 November 2022, 3***, David Gray & Paul Gray
A mixed evening of music, by turns engaging and sometimes over-intellectual.