GRAMOPHONE Review: BERNSTEIN Serenade / WILLIAMS Violin Concerto – James Ehnes, St Louis Symphony Orchestra/Denève
I’ve always admired the modesty and truthfulness of James Ehnes as a player – and you can hear that modesty at work in Phaedrus’ opening address from the Bernstein Serenade. There’s an unfussy directness about it that…
GRAMOPHONE Review: BARTOK The Wooden Prince, Divertimento, Romanian Folk Dances – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Dausgaard
Bartok was never fully content with The Wooden Prince and this final revision marks an end to his tinkering. It is significant, I think, that all his trimming has to do with music explicitly related to stage…
MUSICALS Podcast: Edward Seckerson meets CHRISTINE ALLADO
For this Musicals Magazine Podcast, Edward Seckerson meets Christine Allado, fresh from lending her shining soprano to the Old Friends celebrating Stephen Sondheim at London’s Gielgud Theatre. Some may remember her opposite Rob Houchen in the TV documentary The Making…
MUSICALS Podcast: Edward Seckerson meets JACK GODFREY
For this Musicals Magazine Podcast, Edward Seckerson meets Jack Godfrey, one of the brightest and most engaging talents in the exciting renaissance of new writing, enlivening the West End and beyond. With 42 Balloons – for which he wrote…
BONNIE LANGFORD: Here’s to the Ladies + ‘Comparing Notes’ post show interview with Edward Seckerson
Bonnie Langford, leading lady of musical theatre, shares her love and admiration for those who have literally led the way. Those ladies who have blazed a trail through musical theatre and more. A magical evening celebrating stars…
GRAMOPHONE Review: MERS(S) Debussy Dukas Cras – Appassionato/Herzog
The concept behind Mathieu Herzog’s Appassionato would seem to me to be one of chamber music (and the mindset implicit in that) transcending the number of players involved – a free and flexible approach with infinite possibilities.…
MUSICALS Podcast: Edward Seckerson meets SAMANTHA BARKS
For this Musicals Magazine Podcast, Edward Seckerson meets Samantha Barks, who has travelled far since she and Rachel Tucker went head-to-head in a bid to win the role of Nancy in the reality TV show I’d Do Anything. Unforgettably,…
VOCAL HEROES: BARBRA STREISAND
In 1993 I wrote this piece on BARBRA STREISAND to launch a series called Vocal Heroes in THE INDEPENDENT newspaper. ‘I want it technical as hell and a good read’ said the then Arts Editor. Imagine that…
MUSICALS Podcast: Edward Seckerson meets SAM TUTTY
For this Musicals Magazine Podcast, Edward Seckerson meets Sam Tutty, one of the youngest ever Olivier Award winners for his deeply affecting performance in the London premiere of Pasek and Paul’s Dear Evan Hansen. He journeyed with Evan…
GRAMOPHONE Review: Mahler Symphony No 8 Minnesota Orchestra/Vänskä
The Eighth is often the Mahler symphony that seems to inspire conductors who fall short in the others. That’s a sweeping generalisation, of course, but look no further than a conductor like Solti whose Mahler always struck…
