Tag Archives: Mussorgsky

Russian Roulette: Pappano’s spin through the Mighty Handful

Orchestra of the ROH/Pappano *** Royal Opera House, 8th February 2016 Exploring the music of Russia’s “Mighty Handful” would seem a useful limber up for the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and Sir Antonio Pappano ahead of the upcoming … Continue reading

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Bells and decibels: Behzod Abduraimov at Wigmore Hall

Schubert/Liszt/Mussorgsky: Behzod Abduraimov *** Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov is one of today’s young tigers of the piano, celebrated for tearing up the keyboard in ferociously difficult Prokofiev and Rachmaninov concertos. In this solo recital at Wigmore Hall, his claws were certainly evident … Continue reading

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Boris crowned Tsar again in London: The Philharmonia’s Mighty Handful collection

Mussorgsky, Borodin, Cui, Rimsky-Korsakov: Philharmonia/Hrůša *** Royal Festival Hall, 30th April 2015 Boris is all the rage in London this season. Elected to supreme power, he is haunted by a dodgy past and eventually crumbles. No, not Boris Johnson (Bachtrack … Continue reading

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Cockroaches and kaleidoscopes: Mikhail Rudy’s animated piano recital at King’s Place

Janáček, Mussorgsky: Mikhail Rudy *** King’s Place, 27th March 2015 In a piano recital, your eyes are usually fixed on the keyboard. Last night, all eyes were glued to the silver screen. The Institut Français’ three day festival “It’s all … Continue reading

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Gergiev’s earthy Pictures painted in rich oils

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Songs and Dances of Death; Night on Bare Mountain  The loudest noise I’ve ever experienced in the concert hall was courtesy of Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky (then Kirov) Orchestra. Admittedly, it was in the … Continue reading

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