Tag Archives: London Symphony Orchestra

Rattle leads the LSO on a thrilling ride into the abyss

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust **** Barbican Hall, 19th September 2017 “Diff! Diff! Belzébuth, Belphégor, Astaroth, Méphisto!” Once the hissing demons had greeted Méphistophélès, Faust’s soul successfully delivered after their Ride into the Abyss, calm was restored to the Barbican … Continue reading →

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Mediterranean heat: a scorching Daphnis et Chloé from Altinoglu and the LSO

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Ravel: LSO/Altinoglu **** Barbican Hall, 23rd March 2017 It’s over twenty years since I last saw Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé danced by the Royal Ballet, yet every step of Sir Frederick Ashton’s choreography is imprinted on my memory: Stuart … Continue reading →

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Hellfire and damnation as Noseda and the LSO blaze through Verdi’s Requiem

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Verdi: Requiem **** LSO/Noseda, Barbican, 18th September 2016 Verdi’s Requiem brings with it a huge sense of occasion. Turned to at times of national tragedy, it communicates an emotional power where the words of politicians frequently fail. It is also … Continue reading →

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The tongs and the bones: Vivid Mendelssohn from Gardiner and the LSO

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Mendelssohn: LSO/Gardiner **** Barbican Hall, 16th February 2016 Recapturing one’s youth is a favourite preoccupation of thirty-somethings. Few recaptured it quite as vivaciously as Felix Mendelssohn. Sixteen years after composing his A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture – all gossamer wings … Continue reading →

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Bruckner is so bracing: a tiring journey with the LSO

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Bruckner, Mozart: LSO/Harding *** Barbican Hall, 6th December 2015 I have no head for heights. Viewing towers and castle ledges – if you can persuade me up there in the first place – are treated with extreme caution. I am, … Continue reading →

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