Reviews Archive
Fretwork - music by John Jenkins, Matthew Locke & Henry Purcell – Three Choirs Festival, Leominster Priory, 23/07/22: 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A perfect summer's day of exquisitely intimate music for viol consort at this year's Three Choirs Festival in Herefordshire
Simply Schubert - CBSO with Edward Gardner, Birmingham Town Hall, Thursday 14th July 2022 - 4**** Reviewers, David & Paul Gray (picture to follow)
A glorious, balmy summer evening devoted to the uplifting music of Franz Schubert
Birmingham Symphony Hall: CBSO & CBSO Chorus with Markus Stenz - Mahler Symphony No.2 "Resurrection" - Saturday 25th June 2022. 5***** . Paul Gray
Superb interpretation of Mahler - Markus Stenz is a conductor who understands Mahler's hidden proportions
Handel’s Messiah, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 8th June 2022, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with the CBSO Chorus, 4**** David & Paul Gray
After a surprisingly lacklustre first part, this Messiah finally caught fire
CBSO with Gabriela Montero: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1 & Bruckner Symphony No.6, Symphony Hall Birmingham - 11 May 2022, 4**** Reviewers David and Paul Gray
Piano playing to great virtuosity and style. Plus, Bruckner's dizzying heights.
Kazuki Yamada, CBSO Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, Symphony Hall Birmingham, 04 May 2022, 4**** David Gray & Paul Gray
Mendelssohn’s Highland Fling
The Traveller - Unending Love Weekenders - EX CATHEDRA Choir & Academy of Vocal Music, BRITTEN SINFONIA, Birmingham Town Hall - Sunday 1st May 2022 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
A truly magical concert of works by Roxanna Panufnik and Alec Roth - part of what might be described a new musical renaissance in the composition of choral music
Calcutta, Ensemble Tempus Fugit, Birmingham Town Hall, Sunday 24 April 2022, 3*** David Gray & Paul Gray
An intriguing musical exploration hampered by a lack of dramatic scale
Don Giovanni – Mozart, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Hippodrome, 22 April 2022, 5***** David Gray & Paul Gray
The Rake Punished
Zagreb Philharmonic. Symphony Hall, Birmingham 4**** Paul Gray
Magnificent Mahler
Good Friday St Matthew Passion, Ex Cathedra, Friday 15 April 2022, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 5**** Reviewer - David Gray
A beautiful fusion of human drama and spiritual reflection
For Those We Loved – A concert to remember, Birmingham Bach Choir, St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, Saturday 2 April 2022, 5***** David & Paul Gray
A beautiful choral concert of remembrance
Don Quixote, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome, 25 February 2022, 5****. Paul Gray & David Gray
An evening of Spanish sunshine
The Firebird, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thursday 17th February 2022, 5***** Reviewers: Paul Gray & David Gray
Evening of Orchestral Showcases
Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 - Ex Cathedra Choir & Baroque Ensemble with His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts - Artistic Director & Conductor – Jeffrey Skidmore - Birmingham Town Hall - 13th February 2022 - 5 ***** Paul Gray & David Gray
Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 - Music of Drama and Passion
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker - New Adventures - Birmingham Hippodrome - Birmingham - 08 to 12 February 2022 - 4**** - David Gray & Paul Gray 08/02/22
Something for that sweet tooth!
Motionhouse Dance Company - "Nobody" - Birmingham Hippodrome - 4 February 2022. 5*****. David & Paul Gray.
Breathtaking Contemporary Dance
Thrilling Foretaste of the CBSO's new Chief Conductor and Artistic Director to be - Kazuki Yamada
Exciting New Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Takes the Reigns of the CBSO
Joyous Celebration of Fifty Years of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus - Keneish Dance Company - Ex Cathedra - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - CBSO SO Vocal -16th January 2022 - Symphony Hall, Birmingham 4 **** Reviewers: David Gray and Paul Gray
A musical fusion of cultures and times.
Glorious Start to CBSO Spring/Summer Season 2022 - Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Exuberant Mendelssohn and monumental Sibelius