SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

UK CONCERT REVIEW INDEX JULY -DECEMBER 2007

Handel, Messiah: Soloists, Devon Baroque (Leader-Margaret Faultless)  The Sheldon Consort and the Choir of Royal Holloway, Rupert Gough (conductor) Exeter Cathedral  18.12. 2007 (BK)

Tippett, Piano Concerto, ‘A Child of Our Time’: Lang Lang (piano), Indra Thomas (soprano), Mihoko Fujimura (alto), Steve Davislim (tenor), Matthew Rose (bass), London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (conductor) Barbican Hall, London 16.12.2007 (JPr)

Schumann: Thomas Hampson (Baritone), Wolfram Rieger (Piano), Wigmore Hall, London 15.12.2007 (AO)

Vaughan Williams, Higdon, Stravinsky: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Marin Alsop (conductor), Colin Currie (percussion) Royal Festival Hall 15.12.2007 (CR)

Beethoven, Honegger, Bach:  Joanne Lunn, Sophie Daneman (soprano), William Towers (countertenor), James Gilchrist (tenor) James Rutherford (bass-baritone), BBC National Chorus of Wales, Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum, Dean Close School Chapel Choir, BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Thierry Fischer (conductor), St. David’s Hall, Cardiff 14.12.2007 (GPu)

The Leaves of Life: Christmas Music from the English Tradition The Mellstock Band at The Regent Theatre, Minehead, Somerset  13.12. 2007 (BK)

Handel,  Messiah: Gillian Keith (soprano) Iestyn Davies (counter-tenor) John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Matthew Rose (bass)  The Sixteen, cond. Harry Christophers. Barbican Hall, London, 13.12. 2007 (ME)

Tchaikovsky, Mozart, J Strauss II, R Strauss: Hilary Hahn, violin / Philharmonia Orchestra / Juraj Valcuha, conductor. Royal Festival Hall, London. 13.12.2007 (ED)

Mahler, Third Symphony: Petra Lang (mezzo), London Philharmonic Choir, Tiffin Boys’ Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky (conductor) Royal Festival Hall, 12.12.2007 (JPr)

York  Christmas  Early Music Festival:  Bach, Galliard, Roman, Rameau: European Union Baroque Orchestra, Lars Ulrik Mortensen (director), Lidewij van derVoort (violin), Christmas York Early Music Festival, Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, York University, UK, 10.12.2007 (JL)

Britten,   Billy Budd: (Concert Version) Soloists, Gentlemen of the London Symphony Chorus, Members of the LSO St Luke’s Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding (conductor) Gregory Ahss (Guest Leader).  Barbican Hall, London 9.12.2007 (AO)

Schubert: Philharmonia Orchestra. Andras Schiff (conductor/piano) Royal Festival Hall  9. 12. 2007 (GD)

Kazhgaliev, Elgar, Brahms: Kazakh Gala Concert, Marius Stravinsky (conductor), Alfia Nakipbekova (cello), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cadogan Hall, London 9.12.2007 (MMB)

Smetana, Foerster, Dvořâk : Ivan Ženatý (violin); BBC Symphony Orchestra/Jiří Bělohlávek. Barbican Hall, 8.12. 2007 (CC)

Schumann,   Das Paradies und die Peri: Sally Matthews(soprano), Mark Padmore (tenor), Bernarda Fink (mezzo-soprano), Kate Royal (soprano), Timothy Robinson (tenor), David Wilson-Johnson (bass), Choir of the Enlightenment, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor), Royal Festival Hall, London, 7.12.2007 (AO)

Michael Nyman: Marie Angel (soprano), Michael Nyman (piano), Michael Nyman Band. Barbican Hall, London 6.12.2007 (BBr)

R Strauss and Mahler,  Lieder:  Anne Schwanewilms (soprano), Roger Vignoles (piano). Wigmore Hall, London. 5.12.2007 (ED)

Beethoven,Schumann,Mussorgsky: Philharmonia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti. Royal Festival Hall,  2.12. 2007 (CC)

Pintscher,Beethoven: Soloists, London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/Christoph Eschenbach. Royal Festival Hall, 1.12. 2007 (CC)

Schumann, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky: Vadim Repin (violin) Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Daniele Gatti (conductor) Royal Festival Hall, 30.11.2007 (GD)

William Lyne Birthday Concert:  Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo-soprano) Andreas Scholl (countertenor) Christian Gerhaher (baritone) Graham Johnson (piano) Edin Karamazov (lute) Gary Cooper (harpsichord)  Wigmore Hall, London 28.11.2007 (ME)

Mahler and Beethoven: Richard Goode (piano), Marisol Montsalvo (soprano), Christoph Eschenbach (conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Festival Hall, London, 28.11.2007 (AO)

 Mozart, Schumann, Traditional Chinese, Granados, Wagner/Liszt, Liszt:  Lang Lang (piano). Royal Festival Hall 26.11. 2007 (CC)

Kuula, Oskar Merikanto, Sallinnen, Sibelius, Wagner, Rachmaninoff: Johanna Rusanen (soprano), Ilmari Räikkönen (piano).  Wigmore Hall, London 23.11.2007 (AO)

Mahler and Vienna in Song:  a recital of songs by Schubert, Berg, Schoenberg and Mahler, Monica Groop (mezzo-soprano) and Rudolf Jansen (piano), Jerwood Hall, St Luke’s, London 22.11.07 (JPr)

Tishchenko, Mahler: Tim Hugh (cello), London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev (conductor): Barbican Hall 22.11.07 (JPr)

Tishchenko, Mahler: Tim Hugh (cello), London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev (conductor): Barbican Hall: 22nd November, 2007 (AVE)

Korngold, Das Wunder der Heliane: (British première) Soloists, Europachorakademie, London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski. Royal Festival Hall, 21.11.2007 (JPr)

Mahler, Sixth Symphony: London Symphony Orchestra/Valery Gergiev, The Sage Concert Hall, Gateshead/Newcastle upon Tyne, 21.11.2007 (JL)

Prokofiev, Swayne, Sibelius: Peter Jablonski (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Jac van Steen conductor), St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, 16.11.07 (GPu)

Reich, Biehl, Feshareki,  from the soundhouse: Oberg Quartet, Victoria Royce (piano), Emily Smith (harpsichord), Michael Oliva (electronics), Concert Hall, Royal College of Music, 14.11.2007 (CR)

Sibelius: Ben Heppner (tenor), Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor)  Barbican Hall, London, 13.11.07. (ED)

Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos:  The  European Brandenburg Ensemble/ Trevor Pinnock ,  Cadogan Hall , 13.11.2007 (RC)

“Tune Your Harps” : London Handel Festival Fundraising Concert at St.George’s, Hanover Square, London.  12.11.2007 (SL)

Beethoven and Mozart: Louis Lorte piano, Orchestre National de France conducted by Kurt Masur. The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester 12.11. 2007 (RJF)

 Haydn, Mahler:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Mariss Jansons, Royal Festival Hall, 11.11 2007 (MB)

Sibelius, Saariaho: Karita Mattila (soprano), Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor), Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.  Barbican Hall, London, 10.11.2007 (AO)

Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn: Michael Collins (clarinet), Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Kenneth Sillito (director)  St. David’s Hall, Cardiff 8.11.07 (GPu)

Mozart and Mahler: Janine Jansen (violin) Philharmonia Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste (conductor) Royal Festival Hall, 8.11. 2007 (GD)

 Mahler and Vienna in Song:  a recital of songs by Brahms and Mahler: Christianne Stotijn (mezzo-soprano) and Julius Drake (piano), Jerwood Hall, St Luke’s, London 8.11.07 (JPr)

Haydn, Janáček, Brahms:  Takács Quartet, Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London. November 8.11. 2007 (CC)

Weber, Schubert and Brahms: Stephen Hough (piano) Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Vladimir Jurowski (conductor)  Royal Festival Hall, 6.11. 2007  (GD)

Louis Andriessen, Francisco Lara, Hans Abrahamsen, Simon Holt:  Roderick Williams (baritone), London Sinfonietta / Thierry Fischer (conductor) Julia Bardsley (video and staging), Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London, 5.11.2007 (AO)

Raymond Gubbay Concert,  A Puccini Gala: Soloists, The Manchester Concert Orchestra / Andrew Greenwood (conductor) The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. 4.11. 2007(RJF)

Mozart, Strauss and Wagner: Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Mitsuko Uchida (director/piano) Royal Festival Hall, London 5.11.2007 (JPr)

Schubert:  Elisabeth Leonskaya (piano) Wigmore 1.11. 2007 (CC)

Sibelius, Salonen: Anu Komsi, Cyndia Seiden, (sopranos), Esa-Pekka Salonen, (conductor), Los Angeles Philharmonic, Barbican Hall, London 1.11.2007 (AO)

Fragments of Venice (4) :  Nono,   La Lontananza nostalgica utopia futura Irvine Arditti (violin), André Richard (sound projection)  Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 31.10.2007(AO)

Luigi Nono : Fragments of Venice (3):  Schoenberg, Berg, Nono Maurizio Pollini (piano),  André Richard,  Reinhold Braig (sound projection), Beat Furrer (conductor), Alain Damiens (clarinet), Barbara Hannigan (soprano), Cologne Percussion Quartet, Experimental Studio for Acoustic Arts, Freiburg, Sara Ercoli, Terence Roe and Margaret Nies (voci recitante).  Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 31.10.2007  (AO)

Prokofiev, Gubaidulina:  Anne Sophie Mutter (violin); LSO conducted by André Previn. Barbican Hall, 27.10. 2007 (CC)

Oxford Lieder Festival (4): Sophie Daneman (soprano) Malcolm Martineau (piano) 27.10. 2007 (WC)

Tchaikovsky, Mahler : Alexander Markovich (piano), Neeme Järvi (conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall, London 24.10.2007 (AO)

J.S. Bach,  Goldberg Variations:  Simone Dinnerstein (piano). Wigmore Hall, London. 23.10.2007 (ED)

Luigi Nono,  Fragments of Venice (2):  Arditti Quartet, Claron McFadden (soprano) Queen Elizabeth Hall, 23.10. 2007 (MB)

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C minor ‘Resurrection’, Malin Hartelius (soprano); Bernarda Fink (mezzo-soprano); City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus; The Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Franz Welser-Möst , Symphony Hall, Birmingham 21.10. 2007 (JQ)

Oxford Lieder Festival  (3):  Christianne Stotijn  (mezzo-soprano), Julius Drake  (piano),  Holywell Music Room, Oxford 21.10.2007 (LD)

Bach, Howells, Lauridsen: Mosaic, Nicholas Robinson (director), Simon Johnson (organ), Lady Chapel, St Albans Cathedral 20.10.2007 (CR)

Strauss, Metamorphosen, Vier letzte Lieder, Also sprach Zarathustra: Anne Schwanewilms (soprano), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Simone Young (conductor)  Royal Festival Hall, London 19.10.2007 (JPr)

Oxford Lieder Festival  (2):  Anna  Leese (soprano),   Sholto Kynoch (piano) and  Wolfgang Holtzmair (baritone) Julius Drake  (piano),  Holywell Music Room, Oxford 19.10.2007 (LD)

Bartók, Ravel, Debussy: Simon Trpčeski (piano); Philharmonia Orchestra/Charles Dutoi. RFH, 18.10. 2007 (CC)

Mahler ’Resurrection’ Symphony: Melanie Diener (soprano), Dagmar Pecková (mezzo), London Philharmonic Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Simone Young (conductor)  Royal Festival Hall, London 17.10.2007 (JPr)

Philip Glass, Book of Longing: (based on the work of Leonard Cohen) The Philip Glass Ensemble, Michael Reisman (conductor)  Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff 17.10.2007 (MS)

Janàček: Sinfonietta, Jenůfa (Act 2): London Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding (conductor), Angela Denoke (Jenůfa), Elizabeth Connell (the Kostelnička), Christopher Ventris (Števa), David Kuebler (Laca), Barbican Hall, London 14.10.2007 (AO)

Oxford Lieder Festival (1): Schumann, Mussorgsky, Duparc, Quilter Mark Stone (baritone), Sholto Kynoch (piano) Holywell Music Room, Oxford, England 13.10.2007 (AO)

MacCunn,  Strauss, Mendelssohn and Elgar:  Susan Gritton – Soprano, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins – Conductor, City Halls, Glasgow  11. 10.2007 (MMcN)

Haydn, Zemlinsky and Mahler: Camilla Tilling (soprano), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiří Bělohlávek (conductor) 12.10.2007, Barbican Hall, London (JPr)

Swansea Festival 2: Haydn, Bartok, Beethoven Allegri Quartet: Ofer Falk, Rafael Todes (violin),Dorothea Vogel (violin), Pat Banda (cello). Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 13.10.2007 (GPu)

Swansea Festival 1 : Rautavaara, Elgar, Sibelius Paul Watkins (cello), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Jac van Steen, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 12.10.2007 (GPu)

Dvořák:  Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano); London Symphony Orchestra/Michał Dworzyński. Barbican Hall, London, 11.10. 2007 (CC)

Haydn, The Creation:  Soloists,  London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Sir Colin Davis (conductor) Barbican  Hall, 7.10.2007 (MB)

Prokofiev, Falla, and Ravel : Chicago Symphony Orchestra /Muti, Royal Festival Hall,  6.10. 2007  (MB)

Schubert and  Beethoven : The Nash Ensemble; John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Wigmore Hall, 6.10. 2007 (ME)

Widmann and Bruckner:  Sergei Nakariakov (trumpet), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiří Bělohlávek (conductor) 5.10.2007, Barbican Hall, London (JPr)

Red Violin Festival 2 : Strauss, Stravinsky, Prokofiev Baiba Skride (violin), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Thierry Fischer (conductor), St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, 4.02.2007 (GPu)

Luigi Nono: Fragments of Venice:  (Opening concert) London Sinfonietta / Diego Masson (conductor)  Queen Elizabeth Hall, 1. 10.2007 (MB

Schubert, Winterreise:  Thomas Quasthoff, Charles Spencer, Wigmore Hall, 1.10.2007. (ME)

Mozart : Mitsuko Uchida (piano); Marie Arnet (soprano); Anna Stéphany (mezzo); Andrew Kennedy (tenor); Darren Jaffrey (bass); London Symphony Chorus and Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis. Barbican Hall, London 30.9.2007 (CC)

Red Violin Festival / Gwyl Ffidil Goch: Cardiff, 2.10.2007 (GPu)

Mozart : Mitsuko Uchida (piano); Marie Arnet (soprano); Anna Stéphany (mezzo); Andrew Kennedy (tenor); Darren Jaffrey (bass); London Symphony Chorus and Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis. Barbican Hall, London 30.9.2007 (CC)

Haydn and Beethoven:  The Carducci  String Quartet, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK, 28.9.2007 (JL)

Beethoven:  Yevgeny Kissin (piano), London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (conductor)  27.9.2007, Barbican Hall, London (MB)

Saariaho, Britten, Holst: Steven Osborne(piano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Ilan Volkov (conductor), City Halls, Glasgow 20.9.2007 (MMc)

Wagner, Berg, Mahler Das klagende Lied (original version): Marisol Montalvo (soprano), Hedwig Fassbender (mezzo), Michael Hendrick (tenor), Anthony Michaels-Moore (baritone), David Christopher Ragusa (Alto), London Philharmonic Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra/ Vladimir Jurowski (conductor), Royal Festival Hall 19.9.2007 (JPr)

Brahms, Rachmaninov, Vaughan Williams, Elgar: James Gilchrist (tenor), Sunwook Kim (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Tadaaki Otaka (conductor), St. David’s Hall, Cardiff  14.9.2007 (GPu)

Schubert, Brahms: Stefan Vladar (piano) Jerusalem String Quartet. Wigmore Hall 10.9. 2007 (CC)

Opening Night of the 2007/8 Season at the Wigmore Hall - Wagner, Wolf, Britten, Carter: Christine Brewer (soprano) Roger Vignoles (piano). 8.9.2007 (ME)

Edinburgh Festival (6) Strauss, Zimmermann, Schumann: Gabriele Fontana (soprano) Cologne Gürzenich Orchestra, Markus Stenz (conductor) Usher Hall Edinburgh 31.8.2007 (MB)

Edinburgh Festival (5) Strauss and Mahler: Deborah Voigt (soprano) San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/ Michael Tilson Thomas, Usher Hall 30.8.2007 (MB)

Edinburgh Festival (3)  Christine Brewer and Roger Vignoles: Queen's Hall, Edinburgh 28 .8.2007 (MB)

Edinburgh Festival (2) Monteverdi Madrigals: Il Concerto Italiano, Rinaldo Alessandrini (conductor), Greyfriars Kirk at the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland, 11-17. 8.2007 (MM)

Three Choirs Festival (6) : Mahler  Eighth Symphony, Judith Howarth (soprano), Janice Watson (soprano), Gillian Keith (soprano), Sarah Connolly (mezzo soprano), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo soprano), Adrian Thompson (tenor), Alan Opie (baritone), Stephen Richardson (bass); Festival Chorus; Choristers; Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Andrew Nethsingha Gloucester Cathedral, 11.8. 2007 (JPr)

Three Choirs Festival (5):  Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934): The Spirit of England, Op. 80 Gustav Holst (1874-1934): Suite, The Planets Op. 32 Geraldine McGreevy (soprano); Festival Chorus; Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Adrian Lucas. Gloucester Cathedral  10.8. 2007 (JQ)

Three Choirs Festival (4) :  Claudio Monteverdi, Vespers of 1610, Ex Cathedra Choir, Soloists and Baroque Ensemble; His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore. Gloucester Cathedral 9.8.2007 (JQ)

Three Choirs Festival (3) : Sir Edward Elgar The Dream of Gerontius Op. 38 Sarah Connolly (Mezzo Soprano); James Gilchrist (Tenor); Roderick Williams (Bass); Festival Chorus; Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Andrew Nethsingha Gloucester Cathedral, 7.8. 2007 (JQ)

Three Choirs Festival 2007 (2) :  Ralph Vaughan Williams : Serenade to Music; Claude Debussy: En blanc et noir, orchestrated by Robin Holloway; Herbert Howells : Hymnus Paradisi Geraldine McGreevy (soprano) & Andrew Kennedy (tenor); Natalie Clinton-Griffith, Geraldine McGreevy, Elizabeth Weisberg, Gillian Keith (sopranos); Kate Symons-Joy, Jeanette Ager, Frances Bourne, Susanna Spicer (mezzo-sopranos); Nicholas Mulroy, Andrew Kennedy, Andrew Staples, Allan Clayton (tenors); Allan Smith, James Birchall, Nicholas Perfect, Alex Ashworth (basses); Festival Chorus; Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Christopher Robinson. Gloucester Cathedral 6.8. 2007 (JQ)

Three Choirs Festival (1)) : Benjamin Britten  War Requiem Op. 66, Judith Howarth (soprano); James Gilchrist (tenor); Stephen Roberts (baritone); Three Choirs Festival Chorus; Gloucester Cathedral Choristers; Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Andrew Nethsingha. Gloucester Cathedral 4.8.2007 (JQ)

Cheltenham Music Festival (6): Frederick Delius: Appalachia; Sir Edward Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 69; Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, ‘From the New World’. Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano); Martin Le Poidevin (baritone); Cheltenham Bach Choir; Brno Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Petr Altrichter. Cheltenham Town Hall 21. 7.2007 (JQ)

Cheltenham Music Festival 2007  (5) Ivor Gurney: Ludlow and Teme; Ralph Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge; Sir Edward Elgar: Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 84. Andrew Kennedy (tenor); Aronowitz Ensemble. Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham, 15.07.2007 (JQ)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto no.17 in G major, KV 453 Mass in C minor, KV 427 Stefan Vladar (piano) Susan Gritton (soprano) Lucy Crowe (soprano) Thomas Walker (tenor) Iain Paterson (bass) Mostly Mozart Festival Chorus Academy of St Martin in the Fields Louis Langrée (conductor) 13.7.2007 (MB)

Heiner Goebbels, Heinrich Biber: Roderick Williams (baritone), London Sinfonietta, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sian Edwards (conductor) Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. 12.07.2007 (AO)

Cheltenham Music Festival 2007 (4): Vocal and choral music by Sir Michael Tippett; Aaron Copland; Julian Anderson; Eric Whitacre; Charles Ives; Morten Lauridsen; Leonard Bernstein.  Iestyn Davies (counter-tenor); Emma Brain-Gabbott (soprano); Kate Woolveridge (mezzo-soprano); Peter Wilman (tenor); Stephen Gadd (bass); Julian Wilkins (piano & organ); City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus conducted by Simon Halsey Cheltenham Town Hall 11.07.2007 (JQ)

Saariaho: La passion de Simone Barbican Hall, London 10.07.2007 (AO)

Cheltenham Music  Festival 2007  (2) : Mélodies and Songs by Charles Gounod, Gabriel Fauré, Camille Saint-Saëns, Emmanuel Chabrier, Samuel Barber, John Musto, Ned Rorem and Cole Porter. Dame Felicity Lott (soprano) & Malcolm Martineau (piano). Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham. 8.7. 2007 (JQ)

Cheltenham Music  Festival 2007  (1) : Copland, Bernstein, Barber, Gershwin Chloë Hanslip (vln) Joan Rodgers (sop) BBC Concert Orchestra / Rumon Gamba, Town Hall , Cheltenham. 6.7. 2007 (BK)

With Immortal Fire’,  A celebration of W.H. Auden:  John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Roger Vignoles  (piano) Kwame Kwei-Armah, Simon Armitage, James Fenton, Jo Shapcott (poets / readers). Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, London. 3.7.2007 (ME)