Reading Time: 2 minutesProm 63 of the BBC Proms, featuring The Sixteen under Harry Christophers, was an impeccably curated exploration of English choral traditions, with a focus on sacred and pastoral works. The ensemble’s trademark precision was in full display, as they navigated a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance clarity of Thomas Tallis to the harmonic warmth of Parry and Vaughan Williams.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Messiah has been described as one of the world’s favourite oratorios, and it was clear from the atmosphere created at BBC Prom 65 in the Royal Albert Hall why this is the case. Having never been to the Proms, I partially expected an ostentatious event, but the thing that really struck me was the work that has been put in to make the music and the event accessible to all.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe BBC Prom 42 of Beethoven’s Ninth by Heart is a dynamic, powerful musical masterpiece. Throughout the evening, Nicholas Collon began the enchanting night with a beautiful exploration of the creation and legacy of the masterpiece Symphony Number Nine. Followed by the performance (from memory) of the Symphony Number Nine in D minor.
Reading Time: 2 minutesYuja Wang, the internationally acclaimed Chinese pianist, performed a stunning solo recital on 5th Aug at Usher Hall.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Royal Albert Hall hosted an unforgettable Prom 15, featuring an enthralling performance by the BBC Philharmonic under the baton of Nicholas Collon. The evening was marked by the world premiere of Anna Clyne's ‘The Gorgeous Nothings’ and a masterful rendition of Olivier Messiaen's ‘Turangalîla-Symphonie’.
Reading Time: 2 minutesFederico Colli is a pianist with a worldwide reputation, winning 1st Prize at the Salzburg Mozart Competition in 2011, the Gold Medal at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2012 and performing with orchestras including the Mariinsky and St Petersburg Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, BBC Symphony and BBC Philharmonic.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThis performance by Niki King interlaced songs celebrating Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington with some from her own album “The Everlasting Energy of Love”.
Reading Time: 2 minutesOrchestrator Ian Gardiner (along with musicians Will Pound and Delia Stevens) has done a fantastic job of rearranging the works so that, whilst different in many aspects, not least instrumentation, these pieces still evoke the feelings of the original. Though it does stray quite far from Holst’s original compositions in a lot of places this is not necessarily a bad thing either. It allows for a new life to be injected into the pieces through alterations in style, speed and even the arrangement of certain movements. Venus, for example, is now a lilting tune reminiscent of Latin Jazz; Jupiter is faster and seems something close to an Irish reel, or bluegrass; Mercury is filled with birdsong.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteOn Thursday evening, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra took to the stage in the new Tung Auditorium in the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre.
Reading Time: 2 minutesEntering the Barbican Hall, unsure of what to expect, I was soon captivated by the incredible experience that is Aoife O'Donovan’s performance. The GRAMMY Award-winning American singer-songwriter made her entrance on the stage discreetly, almost shy and overwhelmed by the moment. Jokingly, she remarked that she knew the tickets were sold out but didn't imagine there would be so many of us. She then performed three of her older songs, charming the audience with her beautiful voice, before diving into the tracks from her newest album, All My Friends. As she made her Barbican debut, accompanied by the Guildhall Session Orchestra, the Music Centre London Session Choir, and conductor Eric Jacobsen.