Category Orchestra

REVIEW: Brahms Requiem by Candlelight

Reading Time: 2 minutesAttending the recent performance of Brahms Requiem by Candlelight at St. Martin-in-the-Fields was a truly beautiful experience. The historic and elegant architecture of St. Martin-in-the-Fields provided a breathtaking backdrop for the evening. The atmosphere was enhanced by the warm glow of candles. For those not familiar with the concept, candlelight concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields are renowned for their intimate ambiance. The soft, golden light from the candles creates ethereal surroundings that perfectly complements the evening's music, making it always an evening to remember.

REVIEW: Alcina

(c) David Monteith-Hodge

Reading Time: 3 minutesIn 1735, George Frideric Handel adapted a fanciful story from Ariosto’s Italian Renaissance epic, Orlando Furioso; the resulting opera, Alcina, is staged here by the Guildhall School in a playful and earnest exploration of a battle between true love and powerful enchantments.

REVIEW: Orchestral Qawwali Project

Reading Time: 2 minutesOrchestral Qawwali Project, co-founded by self-taught composer and arranger Rushil Ranjan and vocalist Abi Sampa performed alongside the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, London Voices and the National Youth Chamber Choir to a sold out Royal Albert Hall earlier this week, despite only forming four years ago.

REVIEW: Outlanders

Reading Time: 2 minutesOutlanders at Kings Place, a remarkable show part of the Scotland Unwrapped season, unfolded as a deep exploration of Scottish cultural migration phenomenon of the 18th and 19th century, driven by the collaborative brilliance of Nico Muhly, Robyn Stapleton, Sam Amidon, and the Aurora Orchestra.

REVIEW: Shostakovich’s Symphony No.5 and more

Reading Time: 2 minutesIt was a privilege to listen to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) on Thursday evening. Domingo Hindoyan conducted the already well-loved classical pieces Bacchus and Ariadne, Op. 43: Suite No.2 by Albert Roussel, and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op. 47 as well as  the exciting world premiere of Eleanor Alberga’s first piano concerto, performed by Leeds International Piano Competition 2021 winner Alim Baisembayev and the RLPO. 

REVIEW: London Schools Symphony Orchestra

Photo by David Monteith-Hodge

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe programme was well balanced, with a range of contemporary composers. The first piece, Nautilus by Anna Meredith (arr.Jack Ross), was a contemporary “genre-busting” introduction to the concert. This piece brought the Barbican to life with an energetic but sensitive performance from the young musicians. Enyi Okpara the LSSO’s Conductor in Residence for this year did a fantastic job of commanding the orchestra. With incredibly complex rhythms, the intense connection was evident between the orchestra and the conductor producing just the right dramatic effect. The booming brass and range of percussion made this a brilliant opener to the performance.