Monthly Archives: September 2015

Shore’s Bartolo shines in a Barber as frothy as Figaro’s shaving foam at ENO

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Rossini: The Barber of Seville *** English National Opera, 28th September 2015 Rossini may well have penned The Barber of Seville in just under three weeks, but few comic operas stand the test of time so well. The plot surrounding the … Continue reading →

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Inspired juxtapositions: Rachmaninov’s Vespers imaginatively clothed at Milton Court

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Rachmaninov: Ex Cathedra/Skidmore; Osborne **** Milton Court, 27th September 2015 “I write the music which I hear playing inside me,” wrote Rachmaninov. “I am a Russian composer, therefore my temperament, outlook and music are quintessentially Russian.” There are few more … Continue reading →

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Autumn sunshine and Gallic flair: Michael Collins in recital at Wigmore Hall

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Michael Collins; Michael McHale **** Wigmore Hall, 26th September 2015 Watery September sunshine and an autumnal air hung over Wigmore Hall, appropriate conditions for a recital of late clarinet sonatas. Though very different in mood, three of the sonatas given … Continue reading →

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Just So: Haitink’s heavenly Mahler 4 with Anna Lucia Richter and the LSO

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Beethoven/Mahler: LSO/Haitink **** Barbican Hall, 20th September 2015 “Every conductor, including myself, has a sell-by date,” stated Bernard Haitink, on turning down the position of Music Director at the Chicago Symphony in 2006. Don’t believe a word of it. Last … Continue reading →

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Bells and decibels: Behzod Abduraimov at Wigmore Hall

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Schubert/Liszt/Mussorgsky: Behzod Abduraimov *** Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov is one of today’s young tigers of the piano, celebrated for tearing up the keyboard in ferociously difficult Prokofiev and Rachmaninov concertos. In this solo recital at Wigmore Hall, his claws were certainly evident … Continue reading →

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