Music

Trifonov transfixes the audience with nuanced, highly addictive Beethoven

16 January 2023Music

Daniil Trifonov’s opening piano solo crept in before he dazzled us with his customary sparkling scales echoing the same orchestral lightness of touch. Passagework emerged from nowhere and blossomed with…

Jansen dazzles Antwerp in fine Prokofiev with Pappano and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe

1 January 2023Music

© Antwerp Symphony Orchestra | Jesse Willems

On stage tonight in Antwerp, Jansen proved to be a mesmerising soloist, and her partnership with Pappano, who was able to predict and shape each musical nuance with the greatest of ease (and all without a baton), was exquisite.

A well-crafted and impressive Mahler 3 from Claus Peter Flor and the Phion Orchestra

20 December 2022Music

Claus Peter Flor and Katerina Bradić inviting the post horn soloist, Bob Koerthuis, onto the stage to take the applause

We witnessed a perfectly executed climax in this most monumental of symphonies. This is the best performance I have heard from this orchestra, and I look forward to more!

Hardenberger, Wallroth and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta ooze class

11 December 2022Music

Håkan Hardenberger with the Swedish soprano, Johanna Wallroth © Clare Varney

There are concerts that surprise you, that you just can’t get out of your mind. Last night’s Bach inspired concert in Enschede, with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta under the direction of Tomo Kellers featuring Håkan Hardenberger and the young Swedish soprano Johanna Wallroth, was one such concert.

Daniil Trifonov gives European premiere of Mason Bates’ Piano Concerto

17 October 2022Music

Trifonov played with the greatest of ease while the Wild West of cross rhythms and contrasting textures whirled around him.

Beauty and stillness in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s monumental Mahler 9

6 October 2022Music

In a week when the world mourned the death of Elizabeth II, the inclusion of Mahler 9 exploring death and the disintegration of life, brought a certain solemnity to the…

Wong, Stotijn and Phion create a most memorable performance

3 October 2022Music

Kahchun Wong and Christianne Stotijn backstage after the performance © Clare Varney

One of the many wonders of living in this part of the east Netherlands is the opportunity to hear so many talented yong musicians and watch them at work. This…

Sofia Vasheruk gives a masterclass in lyrical playing in the Piano Festival Ootmarsum

30 September 2022Music

De Stiftskerk in the beautiful village of Stift, nestled deep in the Twente countryside, was the setting for this latest piano recital from the Russian-born pianist, Sofia Vasheruk, as part…

The Lark Ascending: Music to transport you to an English garden

3 September 2022Music

Saturday’s concert, given by the Stift Music Festival on the 27th August in the idyllic setting of Hooge Boekel, a Dutch country house just outside Enschede, was the perfect backdrop…

Stift Music Festival: quite simply a jewel in the crown

1 September 2022Music

Held over nine days, with 28 concerts featuring over 40 talented and distinguished musicians, the Stift Music Festival here in the East Netherlands really has something for everyone. Founded in…