Classical music

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Bread and Salt review – clarity and rigour as a talented Polish pianist returns to his hometown
Real-life pianist Tymoteusz Bies and his younger brother Jacek star in Damian Kocur’s extraordinary and intriguing debut

Peter Bradshaw

27, Nov, 2023 @7:00 AM

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Alistair Dixon obituary
Other lives: Choirmaster, telecoms consultant and co-owner of the Bay Tree Hotel

Robert Stone

26, Nov, 2023 @2:55 PM

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BBC Philharmonic/Storgårds review – a life-affirming programme from an orchestra firing on all cylinders
From James Lee III’s vivid exploration of Martin Luther King to an electrifying performance of Nielsen’s fourth, this was an evening to lift even the most downtrodden spirits

Clive Paget

26, Nov, 2023 @2:00 PM

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Joan Armatrading world premiere review – how did a brilliant pop melodist produce such a baffling mess?
Armatrading’s first symphony, premiered by Chineke! conducted by Andrew Grams, was underdeveloped and dull. Neither composer nor ensemble come out well from this

John Lewis

26, Nov, 2023 @12:14 PM

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Maestro review – Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan make sweet music in dynamic Bernstein double act
Director and star Bradley Cooper captures the warring dualities of the great conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein, but it’s Carey Mulligan, as Bernstein’s wife, Felicia, who is on career-best form

Wendy Ide

26, Nov, 2023 @8:00 AM

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The week in classical: Don Giovanni Tenorio; Ariodante – review
Elegant Handel and a fizzing production of Gazzaniga’s rarely seen take on Don Giovanni provided two fine showcases for the next generation of opera talent

Fiona Maddocks

25, Nov, 2023 @12:30 PM

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From Bob Chilcott to the Chapel Royal: the best classical Christmas albums of 2023
Winter’s the watchword, from Lassus and Byrd to radiant new works and that rare thing – an opera star who resists the sleigh bells

Fiona Maddocks

25, Nov, 2023 @12:00 PM

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LSO/Ward review – soaring and accomplished, Faust resisted flashy indulgence
In Bartók and Chausson, violinist Isabelle Faust was elegant and expressive, and conductor Duncan Ward brought orchestral colour and focus to orchestral showpieces by Debussy and Janáček

Andrew Clements

24, Nov, 2023 @1:34 PM

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Schumann: Piano Quartet; Piano Quintet album review – period instrument perfection
This pairing of Schumann’s larger-scale chamber works has lightness and clarity, the instruments are beautifully balanced

Andrew Clements

23, Nov, 2023 @4:26 PM

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Beethoven: Missa Solemnis album review – Savall goes back to basics for this daunting work
While there’s drama and joy, this new recording of Beethoven’s choral masterpiece has interest but not enough insights to make it compelling

Andrew Clements

23, Nov, 2023 @3:00 PM

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BBC Proms director David Pickard to step down after nine years
Pickard will leave post after next summer’s classical music festival and says it feels like right time to go

Harriet Sherwood Arts and culture correspondent

23, Nov, 2023 @1:11 PM

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A place of peace for my soldier husband | Brief letters
Brief letters: Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast | Sexist conductor | X factor | Apostrophe appeal | Musical chairs

22, Nov, 2023 @5:48 PM

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