review Archives - The Spidy Editor

A message of hope: Bychkov and the RCO play Shostakovich

25 April 2025Music

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

18 November 2024Music

Vikingur Ólafsson and Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra

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

16 November 2024Music

Klaus Mäkelä conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

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

13 November 2024Music

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

5 November 2024Music

Vilde Frang, Klaus Mäkelä and the Oslo Phil

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

26 September 2024Music

Christian Thielemann conducting the Vienna Phil at the Concertgebouw ©Simon Van Boxtel

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

25 September 2024Culture, Music

Essen, 21.09.2024, Philharmonie Essen Klaus Mäkelä Royal

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

19 September 2024Music

Sefan Dohr giving the UK premiere of the Hans Abrahamsen Horn Concerto at the BBC Proms 2024 with the BBC Philharmonic and John Storgårds

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!

28 November 2022Food

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.

Wonderfully fresh and delicious fish from the Seafood Bar, Utrecht

27 November 2022Food

Excellent meal at the Seafood Bar, Utrecht and some of the best seafood I have eaten here in the Netherlands.