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 set amidst a sea of calm, as the piano gently introduced a heavenly melody, high in the sky. Twisting, turning, grasping at embers in the snow, unsure which…
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…
Joshua Bell inspires a new generation of violinists at the Concertgebouw
The Concertgebouw was buzzing. In one of the most diverse audiences I have seen for a while, young and old alike jostled for position in the cosy foyer of the…
Joyce DiDonato makes an emotional debut with the Concertgebouw Orchestra
Joyce DiDonato descended the Concertgebouw stairs to give the Dutch premiere of one her most beloved works, Jake Heggie’s 2015 orchestral version of Camille Claudel: Into the Fire, for her…
Dutch bells take centre stage at the Concertgebouw
Rafael Payare and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal travelled to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam with some very special luggage: a pair of orchestral bells made by the Eijsbouts foundry in the…
A class act: Augustin Hadelich plays Mozart on tour with Andrew Manze
The Mozarteumorchester, Salzburg and Andrew Manze travelled to Tonhalle, Düsseldorf for the final night of their 2024 tour of Germany after concerts in Munich, Hamburg, Coesfeld, and Cologne. With violinist,…