Birmingham Post - Tag - birmingham philharmonic orchestra

Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall Birmingham

Birmingham Post — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Guest conductor Richard Laing delivered this truly exciting programme, beginning with Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture, opened by sombre well-placed woodwind chords eventually leading into not quite quiet enough beginnings for the difficult-to-pace heart rending long crescendos: be braver. Much more contrast needed, otherwise ‘bland/safe’ comes to mind. Great brass however, with splendid percussion ‘sword fights’.

Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The challenges that Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra sets itself are never anything short of daunting. These amateurs play with immense conviction and self-belief, the warm rapport and support shared by all of them keeping hubris well at bay, and one can listen with confidence as they tackle awesome giants of the repertoire.

Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

I doubt I’ve ever heard a better concert from certainly one of the finest non-professional orchestras in the land, and I know I’ve heard few better performances of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony than the one the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra delivered on Sunday afternoon.

Review: Verdi Requiem, Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra & South West Festival Chorus, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Fri, 27 May 2011 07:00:00 GMT

So, the world failed to end at 6pm on Saturday. But for those who were disappointed, the Birmingham Philharmonic and South West Festival Chorus thoughtfully arranged for it to end at 7.30pm instead – at least, in Verdi’s version.

Review: Romantic Passions, Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:00:00 GMT

We frequently refer to “families” of musical instruments, but a good orchestral horn section does in fact become a virtual real family.

Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Though it performs to the highest professional standards, and has many adept professional musicians among its ranks, the Birmingham Philharmonic is nominally an amateur orchestra, and perhaps as an amateur orchestra is able to take more risks in programming than other ensembles would dare.

Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Concerts of excerpts can often make for grim evenings lacking in depth, but the energy and enthusiasm with which the Birmingham Philharmonic performed on Sunday meant this simply wasn’t possible.

Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Two works premiered within three years of each other, yet looking in totally opposite directions. Elgar’s Violin Concerto, heartbreakingly reflective, and Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring, almost literally ground-breaking, shattering virtually every musical mould, and pointing towards a future which has still not been totally embraced.

Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, at Adrian Boult Hall

Birmingham Post — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:39:00 GMT

An intense, communicative account of Benjamin Britten’s regrettably rarely-heard Violin Concerto was the highlight of Sunday’s concert from a Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra which otherwise seemed on less than its normally superlative form.

Classical Review: Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra at Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham

Birmingham Post — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

It was unfortunate timing for the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra to have programmed Richard Strauss’ Rosenkavalier Suite for Sunday’s concert so soon after the CD release of the CBSO’s amazing account of it under Andris Nelsons.