Birmingham Post - Birmingham Culture - Classical Music

Review: Hepplewhite Piano Trio, at Birmingham Town Hall

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:12:00 GMT

Prizewinners from the Birmingham Conservatoire, this up and coming young chamber group, formed in 2009, is rapidly gaining recognition.

Review: CBSO at Symphony Hall

Birmingham Post — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:36:00 GMT

The assertion might be dangerous, but it can be argued that the greater the work, the greater the number of possible interpretations, and in Louis Lortie's reading of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto we certainly found fresh insights.

Review: CBSO 90th anniversary concert

Birmingham Post — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:40:00 GMT

So the CBSO has reached 90, but is performing with all the spirit, vigour and adrenaline of a teenager.

Classical music: Musical riches on offer in region’s smaller venues

Birmingham Post — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:59:00 GMT

Though Birmingham has music series galore, we should never overlook the fact that out in the hinterlands of our region, indefatigable organisations devote an inordinate amount of energy towards promoting musical events within their locality. And this is a good time, everything becalmed within big-city Birmingham, to reflect upon these regional assets.

A celebration of the life and work of Vaughan Williams

Birmingham Post — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

RVW's anniversary adds flavour to this year's Bromsgrove Festival. Christopher Morley explains.

Review: CBSO Sakari Oramo at Symphony Hall

Birmingham Post — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

With his fifth symphony Mahler became a control freak - peppering the score with detailed instructions. For the conductor it must be like having the composer constantly peering over his shoulder.

Review: ETO's Anna Bolena at Grand, Wolverhampton

Birmingham Post — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

James Conway's new English Touring Opera production of Donizetti's Anna Bolena comes with high expectations. Conway's 2005 production of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda attracted widespread acclaim; more recently, his Eugene Onegin probed deeper than almost any big-name production in recent years.

Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra at Birmingham Town Hall

Birmingham Post — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

No one could ever accuse the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra of a lack of confidence. But for a non-professional orchestra to tackle Mahler's Resurrection Symphony, enormously demanding both in resources and stamina, might tempt one to suggest that confidence had become hubris.

Review: BCMG at Ikon Gallery

Birmingham Post — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Jürgen Partenheimer's paintings, drawings and a few ceramic sculptures are shown in the three linking gallery rooms; Kevin Volans' music is played by three separate ensembles, one in each room.

Review: Handel's Flavio at Birmingham Town Hall

Birmingham Post — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Some of Handel's operas carry the burden of ludicrous plots, and, for modern listeners at least, the disconcerting problem of similar voices singing different genders.

Resurrection of town hall sees its largest concert yet

Birmingham Post — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Conductor Michael Lloyd talks to Christopher Morley about mixing Mahler and musicals, while the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra's newlyappointed patron Peter Donohoe speaks up for local culture.

Review: BCMG,Knussen at CBSO Centre

Birmingham Post — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

He might not have been listed in the programme, but Stravinsky was a palpable presence in Monday's well-constructed concert from Birmingham Contemporary Music Group under the elegant, meticulous conducting of Oliver Knussen.

Review: National Children's Orchestra at The Town Hall

Birmingham Post — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Truly mature sound heralded this concert, with strings full of warmth and dark rich sonority.

Review: Birmingham Festival Choral Society at the Town Hall

Birmingham Post — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The return of Elijah and Birmingham Festival Choral Society to the Town Hall had been heralded as an event of symbolic importance and musical significance.

Review: CBSO/Robert Spano at Symphony Hall

Birmingham Post — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherezade is a work that almost invites performances of crudity and brashness. This was an invitation tossed aside by the CBSO and American conductor Robert Spano.

Review: National Youth Choirs of Great Britain at Symphony Hall

Birmingham Post — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

A palpable buzz of anticipation greeted everyone arriving for this 25th Anniversary Gala concert. Symphony Hall was packed with families eager to hear and support their young nightingales.

Golijov and his latest challenge to 'primitive' critics

Birmingham Post — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:08:00 GMT

According to one recent interview, the Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov has a problem with British music critics.

Review: Ex Cathedra, at Symphony Hall

Birmingham Post — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

It was a significant weekend for Ex Cathedra, beginning with a heartening showcase of the education work the choir carries out so brilliantly.

National Youth Wind Orchestra, CBSO Centre

Birmingham Post — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

If life begins at 40, then this fine young wind orchestra has much to anticipate, having already been in existence since 1968. Fierce competition throughout the UK stimulates high standards and each year welcomes new blood.

The Birmingham Town Hall music man

Birmingham Post — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:36:00 GMT

Profile of Thomas Trotter, who is official organist for the city of Birmingham, as well as Westminster Abbey