Tag Archives: Ravel

Wigmore Hall englouti: exquisite aquatic recital from Philippe Cassard

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

“Perspectives Debussy”: Philippe Cassard ***** Wigmore Hall, 29th October 2016 “Wigmore Hall is flooded now!” confessed Philippe Cassard. It was Claude Debussy who left the tap running, with every form of precipitation – rain, snow, fog – pouring from the … Continue reading →

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Tales of Hoffmann and the Hammerklavier: Yuja Wang scales summits in Verbier

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Mark Pullinger

Verbier Festival: Yuja Wang *** Salle des Combins, 27th July 2016 Chinese pianist Yuja Wang has forged a stellar reputation thus far founded on flashy repertoire. Her Rachmaninov is dazzling, as is her Ravel. Recently though, she has taken steps … Continue reading →

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Defiant tales: a Scheherazade for our times from John Adams

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Adams, Ravel: LSO/Adams **** Barbican Hall, 29th October 2015 The green-eyed monster clambers onto my shoulder when I’m editing, salivating over concerts my reviewers attend. Rebecca Lentjes described the première of John Adams’ Scheherazade.2 so vividly in her New York … Continue reading →

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Full throttle: finger crunching pianism from Alice Sara Ott and Francesco Tristano at the QEH

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Ravel, Debussy, Stravinsky/Alice Sara Ott & Francesco Tristano **** Queen Elizabeth Hall, 11th June 2015 Apart from the crunching key change near the end, the only variation in Ravel’s Boléro comes through its dynamics and its brilliantly inventive scoring. Ravel … Continue reading →

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Water Reflections: an immersive recital from Hélène Grimaud

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Mark Pullinger

Hélène Grimaud **** Barbican Hall, 16th May 2015 Left to our own devices, audience members at the Barbican could have suggested any number of works to fit into Hélène Grimaud’s aquatic-themed recital. In an absorbing programme note, the French pianist … Continue reading →

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