Euphoric and immersive cinematic experience: Reich/Richter in Amsterdam
Amsterdam really is the place to be. With not one, but two world premieres from Dutch National Opera in their Opera Forward festival a fortnight ago; the world premiere of…
Bruce Liu plays Chopin with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta
The stage was set, complete with tablet stands and obligatory foot-pedal page turners. As the Amsterdam Sinfonietta arrived at the Muziekcentrum, Enschede for a programme entitled “Homesickness for Italy”, all…
A jubilant finale to the Tonhalle’s European tour with Paavo Järvi
Paavo Järvi had a glint in his eye. Now at the end of a European tour taking in Hamburg, Paris, Frankfurt and Cologne, the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich were going out with…
Sheku Kanneh-Mason works his magic with Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic
Exactly 50 years ago to the day, Semyon Bychkov fled the Soviet Union for Vienna, carrying a score - Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony in D minor, Op 47. Like Shostakovich, he…
Davina Clarke and friends define the Art of Obligato
The highlight of many a violinist’s calendar is the prospect of playing J.S. Bach’s wonderful violin obligatos in his St. Matthew Passion. Who will play the first orchestra’s Erbarme dich,…
Parisian music galore from Théotime Langlois de Swarte and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century
The Great Church in Enschede was abuzz with curiosity. All were eager to learn more about the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century’s young French soloist and conductor, Théotime Langlois de…
Sofia Vasheruk makes the piano sing in Amsterdam
Undulating chords amidst a sea of calm, as the piano gently introduced a heavenly melody. Twisting, turning, grasping at embers in the snow, unsure which direction to turn next. Such…
A strikingly colourful Ariadne auf Naxos from Nederlandse Reisopera
Opera thrives on partnership. Nederlandse Reisopera’s new production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, is the perfect vehicle for such a vision, not only bringing together all the art forms,…
Rotterdam Philharmonic appoints Top man for the job
Dutch violinist, Tjeerd Top is the new leader of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, replacing Igor Gruppman who bid the orchestra a fond farewell in January 2023. Taking a six-month sabbatical from…
Yearning and longing: Gražinytė-Tyla and Blechacz at the Concertgebouw
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is having quite a year. Following her departure from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2022, she has spent subsequent seasons travelling the world as a guest conductor…