Author Archives: Mark Pullinger

Furloughed but not forlorn

This afternoon, I stopped. It has been six days since the “furlough” kicked in, effectively locking me out of my job as editor at Bachtrack – a job I love – but there were still things to do, even over … Continue reading

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Beethoven keeps the flame burning: Salonen and the Philharmonia recreate the 1808 Akademie

Beethoven: 1808 Reconstructed Salonen/ Philharmonia, Royal Festival Hall, 15th March 2020 The legendary Akademie at the Theater an der Wien on 22nd December 1808 was quite an event: a benefit concert for Ludwig van Beethoven, stuffed with premieres. Some of … Continue reading

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Aleksandra Kurzak impresses in latest Covent Garden Traviata revival

Verdi: La traviata Royal Opera, 14th March 2020 Despite Violetta’s fragile health, Covent Garden Traviatas are made of sturdy stuff. Luchino Visconti’s 1967 production lasted nearly thirty years and Richard Eyre’s successor clocked up its 25th anniversary just before Christmas. … Continue reading

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A polished Rite from Thierry Fischer and the RPO

Thierry Fischer/ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Festival Hall, 10th March 2020 The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played Borodin at my first concert in London. That was nearly thirty years ago, when Vladimir Ashkenazy was chief conductor, the Royal Festival Hall its … Continue reading

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Passionate, ebullient Rachmaninov from Paavo Jarvi and the NHK

Paavo Järvi/ NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo Royal Festival Hall, 24th February 2020 After his self-imposed exile from Russia in 1918, Sergei Rachmaninov never conducted his Second Symphony. Perhaps it was too painful a reminder of home – there’s something so … Continue reading

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