Tag Archives: Beethoven

Top ten Beethoven releases of 2020

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

After a February symphony cycle at the Barbican, most of my Beethoven this year – understandably – has been either streamed or on disc, so I thought I’d mark the great man’s 250th with a round-up of my favourite recordings … Continue reading →

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Breaking the silence: an Orchestre Métropolitain thanksgiving after the Corona-storm

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Yannick Nézet-Séguin/Orchestre Métropolitain Bourgie Hall, Montréal, 18th September 2020 For obvious reasons, very few orchestras have (yet) to complete a Beethoven symphony cycle in this 250th anniversary year. And so it’s natural, in the words of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, to “break … Continue reading →

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A thrilling Waldstein caps Igor Levit’s return to Wigmore Hall

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Igor Levit Wigmore Hall, 16th September 2020 Considering this was my first time seeing Igor Levit play “in the flesh”, his Wigmore Hall recital was just like meeting an old friend. The Russian-born German pianist has been on my screens … Continue reading →

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A granitic Beethoven 9 from Muti in Salzburg

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Muti/ Vienna Philharmonic Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 17th August 2020 The last time I heard Beethoven’s Ninth was in February, the triumphant culmination of the Barbican’s Beethoven Weekender, where all nine symphonies were shared between five UK orchestras. Back then, we feared … Continue reading →

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Beethoven to raise the spirits from Argerich and Blomstedt in Lucerne

Posted on August 15, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Blomstedt/ Lucerne Festival Orchestra KKL Concert Hall, Lucerne, 14th August 2020 “Life is Live” is the defiant banner under which this year’s revised Lucerne Festival was launched on Friday evening. A reduced audience in face masks, yes, and distanced orchestral … Continue reading →

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