Tag Archives: Khachaturian

The Bolshoi’s Spartacus conquers Covent Garden

Spartacus Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Opera House, 29th July 2019 Big, bold, brassy. There’s only one company you’d want to see dance Spartacus: the Bolshoi Ballet. Although Aram Khachaturian’s raucous romp through the Third Servile War, in which Spartacus leads a … Continue reading

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Nemanja Radulović brings silky sensitivity to Khachaturian in RLPO’s Soviet matinee

RLPO/ Vasily Petrenko **** Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 26th October 2018 During Vasily Petrenko’s long tenure as Chief Conductor, he has turned the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic into the UK’s most Russian of orchestras. Their Shostakovich, in particular, has won critical plaudits, but for this … Continue reading

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Defying dictators: Soviet blockbusters given the St Petersburg Philharmonic treatment

Martha Argerich; St Petersburg Philharmonic/ Yuri Temirkanov ***** Royal Festival Hall, 29th January 2017 “Our business is rejoicing. Our business is rejoicing.” Dmitri Shostakovich learnt when to toe the political line. After his opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk was denounced … Continue reading

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Sound and fury: boisterous performances from Orozco-Estrada and the LPO

Khachaturian, Stravinsky et al: Baráti, LPO/Orozco-Estrada *** Royal Festival Hall, 26th February 2016 “Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Macbeth’s cold view of life doubles as a good analysis of Richard Strauss’ first tone poem – brassy fanfares and empty … Continue reading

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