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
Opera North. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. July 1 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
Opera North reminds us that Bizet is a disgracefully neglected opera composer
Hallé. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. June 30 2023. 4****. William Ruff
The Hallé brings another Nottingham Classics season to an electrifying conclusion
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 Elgar’s First Symphony, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 14 June 2023, 4**** Paul Gray & David Gray
An emotionally compelling reading of Elgar’s passionate masterpiece.
Clare Hammond. Lakeside, Nottingham. June 15 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
Fascinating repertoire and playing of great refinement
Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence, Players from the CBSO, The CBSO Centre, Birmingham, 08 June 2023, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A sun-drenched visit to Florence
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
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. May 24 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Florence Price: a composer who deserves her place in musical history
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
Southwell Music Festival Launch. Southwell Minster. May 12 2023. William Ruff
This year's Southwell Festival is launched with music to whet the appetite
Jess Gillam Ensemble. NTU Hall, Nottingham. May 10 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
A programme bursting with virtuosity and musical personality from Jess Gillam and friends
Sean Shibe and Manchester Collective. Lakeside, Nottingham. May 9 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Sean Shibe and Manchester Collective lead an exhilarating safari into the unknown
Kazuki Conducts Scheherazade, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 3 May 2023, 4****, David Gray & Paul Gray
Some tentative Brahms followed by rousing Rimsky-Korsakov
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. May 4 2023. 4****. William Ruff
Exciting music-making from the CBSO – but you needed your musical sunglasses
Pavel Haas Quartet. Lakeside, Nottingham. April 27 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. April 26 2023. 5*****. William Ruff
Iceland may be a small island but it produces big-hearted music-making