Tag Archives: Brahms

“Beer and beard”: Barenboim’s ruminative Brahms with the Bolívars

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Brahms: Daniel Barenboim; Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela/ Gustavo Dudamel ** Royal Festival Hall, 17th January 2016 It was Paul Dukas who dismissed Brahms’ music as “too much beer and beard”. He would have had a field day with … Continue reading →

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Repressed passions, Russian melancholy: Elīna Garanča makes a splendid Wigmore Hall debut

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Brahms, Duparc, Rachmaninov: Elīna Garanča **** Wigmore Hall, 11th December 2015 Poise, control, stillness. Within two minutes of her Wigmore Hall debut, the qualities that make Elīna Garanča a consummate Lieder recitalist were evident. The Latvian mezzo is no scenery-chewing … 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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Prom 73: Bychkov and the Vienna Philharmonic bask in glowing Brahms and ravishing Schmidt

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Brahms, Schmidt: Vienna Philharmonic/Bychkov ***** Royal Albert Hall, 10th September 2015 Imagine the musical love child of Strauss and Bruckner: luscious strings, wind chorales, hints of Austrian Ländler, opulent orchestration. This provides an indication of the sound world of Franz … Continue reading →

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Prom 46: Great Danes in spirited Carl Nielsen anniversary celebration

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Nielsen/Brahms: Danish NSO/Luisi **** Royal Albert Hall, 20th August 2015 “Denmark is not all Lego and pastries!” quipped Nikolaj Znaider to the Albert Hall audience. Indeed not. It is the land of Carl Nielsen, whose 150th birthday was celebrated in … Continue reading →

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