Shaken and not stirred: Mahler Beyond at the Concertgebouw
Without a doubt, Marina Mahler grand-daughter to Gustav Mahler, is a force of nature. As President and co-founder of the Mahler Foundation, her mission is “to share and spread the…
A message of hope: Bychkov and the RCO play Shostakovich
Anniversaries for various composers come and go, but rarely does a composer’s commemoration seem as poignant as this year’s 50th anniversary of the death of Dmitri Shostakovich. And who better…
A towering inferno: on tour with Vikingur Ólafsson and the London Philharmonic
Smartly dressed in a grey suit and a pale pink tie and exuding a calm efficiency, Norwegian pianist Vikingur Ólafsson swept onto the stage. Expectation fizzed. A year on from…
Suave and sophisticated: Mäkelä’s Rachmaninoff hits all the right notes
It’s been a busy few weeks for Klaus Mäkelä. First on tour with the Oslo Philharmonic. Then a quick soirée to the UK for the Rite of Spring with the London Symphony Orchestra…
The real deal: Tarmo Peltokoski conducts the Rotterdam Philharmonic
Much has been invested in Tarmo Peltokoski, the 24-year-old Principal Guest Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra who made his debut with the orchestra in May 2022. Amidst the hype…
A meeting of minds: Vilde Frang and Klaus Mäkelä on tour with the Oslo Philharmonic
Witnessing a partnership of equals is rare. A meeting of minds where a creative process seemingly unfolds in front of our eyes is definitely a moment to cherish. Such was…
The Vienna Phil blows away the cobwebs at the Concertgebouw
Fresh from two concerts in Lucerne, the Vienna Philharmonic travelled to the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam to perform Strauss' immensely powerful Ein Heldenleben and Mendelssohn's Third Symphony the "Scottish". I had immense…
Mäkelä’s magical Mahler 1 with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Casually dressed in an open neck shirt and brown suede shoes, Klaus Mäkelä, chief conductor designate of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, joined the stage for the first of three events,…
Stefan Dohr plays Hans Abrahamsen at the BBC Proms
Stefan Dohr makes his debut at the BBC Proms in the UK premiere of Han Abrahamsen's Horn Concerto with John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic. I wanted to learn more…
Coffee District Willemsparkweg: a little gem!
Nestled off the main road near the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, and all the big museums, this local coffee shop serves excellent coffee and pastries at prices which don’t require a sharp intake of breath.