Classical music

The week in classical: The Wreckers; Kirill Gerstein
Ethel Smyth’s long-neglected maelstrom of an opera is worth a plunge; and pianist Kirill Gerstein is on peak form in Liszt
Fiona Maddocks
28, May, 2022 @11:30 AM

Philharmonia/Blomstedt review – flow and glow as one one of wonders of our age remains in control
In Mozart, Maria João Pires was an ideal partner for Blomstedt’s attentiveness to pulse, phrasing and dynamics; his unified and unshowy approach brought lightness and clarity to Bruckner
Martin Kettle
28, May, 2022 @10:34 AM

Samson et Dalila review – Saint-Saëns’ opera has style and a new star in SeokJong Baek
Richard Jones’ vibrant new production can’t compensate for the work’s dramatic weaknesses, but soloists and chorus alike are on top form, and conductor Antonio Pappano relishes the score’s melodiousness
Erica Jeal
27, May, 2022 @1:59 PM

Britain’s Kafkaesque boycott of Russian culture plays straight into Putin’s hands | Simon Jenkins
Banning sports stars and musicians perfectly fits the Kremlin’s narrative that the war in Ukraine is one of national survival, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins
Simon Jenkins
27, May, 2022 @10:22 AM

Koechlin: The Seven Stars Symphony; Vers la Voûte Etoilée review | Andrew Clements's classical album of the week
An elegant performance to match the beauty and refinement of this bafflingly neglected master of 20th-century music
Andrew Clements
26, May, 2022 @2:00 PM

Jeremy Denk review – Well-Tempered Clavier is reshaped and illuminated afresh
Playing Bach’s mammoth work from memory, the US pianist brought wit, insights and lightness of touch
Flora Willson
25, May, 2022 @11:09 AM

‘Shake it and see what happens’: the confounding world of James Thierrée
The circus star turns singer in his new show, Room, which is designed to embrace chaos. He talks about the mystery of theatre and his movie missions
Chris Wiegand
25, May, 2022 @8:49 AM

‘I’ve never seen one in real life’: orchestra wows young audience in Great Yarmouth
BBC Concert Orchestra residency aims to inspire children and improve wellbeing in Norfolk town
Jessica Murray Midlands correspondent
24, May, 2022 @10:35 AM

The Wreckers review – Glyndebourne bring Smyth’s rarity to vivid and passionate life
Director Melly Still and conductor Robin Ticciati have done Ethel Smyth’s 1906 opera proud, with dynamic and intense performances from an excellent cast and chorus.
Tim Ashley
22, May, 2022 @12:40 PM

The week in classical: Mavra/Pierrot lunaire; LSO/ Tilson Thomas; Gabrieli/ McCreesh
Covent Garden’s future stars make the most of a tricky double bill
Fiona Maddocks
21, May, 2022 @11:30 AM

Classical home listening: Shiva Feshareki, Helen Charlston and more
Feshareki’s hypnotic soundworld encompasses medieval alchemy and Daphne Oram, while Charlston sings up for Dido, Boudicca and other forsaken heroines
Fiona Maddocks
21, May, 2022 @11:00 AM

‘She’s badass’: how brick-throwing suffragette Ethel Smyth composed an opera to shake up Britain
She was bisexual, served a prison sentence, and was so outraged by cuts to her opera The Wreckers that she stormed the orchestra pit. Finally, this summer, it will be heard as its extraordinary composer intended
Imogen Tilden
19, May, 2022 @3:06 PM
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