GRAMOPHONE Review: Weill Symphony No. 2 & Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 – Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra/Shani
An eye (and ear) catching coupling. Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony is front and centre of the core repertoire these days – though not always in performances as good as this one – but we rarely hear Kurt Weill’s…
GRAMOPHONE: From Where I Sit – June 2022
This being the last of these columns for the time being, I thought I’d reflect some more on the issues that keep me and my colleagues so exercised from month to month: the art of realisation, recreation,…
HOUSE OF MUSIC: Raising the Kanneh-Masons – Ryedale Festival
Saturday 16th July 2022 3.00pm St Michael’s Church, Malton Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason in conversation with Edward Seckerson House of Music is a joyful celebration of the extraordinary story of the Kanneh-Masons. Their mother, Kadiatu, talks about what it takes to raise…
GRAMOPHONE Review: Sibelius Complete Symphonies – Oslo Philharmonic/Makelä
There’s something extraordinarily satisfying about embarking upon Sibelius’ entire symphonic journey in a single one-day sitting. The evolution and refining of language and expression, the juxtaposition of the romantic and the radical is clarified and renewed. Total…
GRAMOPHONE Review: MOVE The Trumpet As Movie Star – Romain Leleu, Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra/Bosch
You might describe this entertaining disc as trumpeting (apologies) the extraordinary talents of Romain Leleu through a medium well used to making a star of his chosen instrument. And where else would you start in this celebration…
GRAMOPHONE Review: AMERICA Bernstein/Gershwin/Ellington etc – Daniel Hope/Zürich Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Hope was never just another violin virtuoso. His curiosity, his ability to think outside the box, to embrace passions beyond the so-called core repertoire, is borne out with each successive album. This one pays homage to…
GRAMOPHONE Review: Shostakovich Symphony No. 7 ‘Leningrad – LSO/Noseda
There is much to commend in Noseda’s account of this most extraordinary symphony – and I speak as one whose recent and exhaustive explorations of it on BBC Radio 3 have only served to intensify my admiration.…
GRAMOPHONE: From Where I Sit – April 2022
I never need much of an excuse to write about Leonard Bernstein – but in the wake of the Spielberg remake of West Side Story (doubtless laden with awards by the time these words are published) I…
COMPARING NOTES with DESMONDA CATHABEL
Sunday 5th June 2022 3.00pm Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zédel Comparing Notes brings stars of the West End and Broadway to Crazy Coqs. In a lively and informal mix of performance and conversation host Edward Seckerson will be getting…
GRAMOPHONE Review: Ravel Orchestral Works, Sinfonia of London/Wilson
John Wilson is on a mission to bring his restorative ear to bear on Ravel’s orchestral catalogue – so expect more of insight and excellence from this source. Astonishing to think that a score as frequently performed…
