Simon Rattle

The week in classical: LSO/ Rattle; Boston Symphony Orchestra/ Nelsons – review

The LSO gave Simon Rattle an unforgettable send-off in Mahler’s Ninth, while the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons turned on the style with Stravinsky, Ravel and Gershwin

Fiona Maddocks

02, Sep, 2023 @11:30 AM

Leading actors and artists back Labour’s push for more creativity in schools

Exclusive: Grayson Perry and Olivia Colman lead group of creative figures supporting Keir Starmer’s plan to improve “human” skills

Peter Walker Deputy political editor

06, Jul, 2023 @5:21 PM

The week in classical: Dialogues des Carmélites; Tristan und Isolde; LSO/Rattle – review

Poulenc’s shattering opera disturbs and confounds in Barrie Kosky’s new Glyndebourne production; Wagner meets the pre-Raphaelites at Grange Park Opera. Plus, a thrilling farewell from Simon Rattle

Fiona Maddocks

17, Jun, 2023 @11:30 AM

LSO/Rattle review – wistful and life-enhancing, a terrific farewell for the departing chief

Signing off with a joyous new commission from 96-year-old Betsy Jolas and a return to a longtime Messiaen favourite, Sir Simon led a regretful but sunny evening

Martin Kettle

15, Jun, 2023 @11:38 AM

Violin virtuoso joins ‘real battle’ to save classical music from UK funding cuts

Soloist Nicola Benedetti has added her voice to those speaking up for a genre now facing severe financial constraints

Vanessa Thorpe

07, May, 2023 @2:00 PM

The arts are in a sorry state at a time when we need them most | Letters

Letters: Readers lament the damage to culture resulting from the government cutting funding

28, Apr, 2023 @4:24 PM

Simon Rattle is right: Britain is becoming a cultural desert – and that’s a political choice | Martin Kettle

The arts and classical music say much about us as a country. Labour should fight for their place in our national life, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle

Martin Kettle

26, Apr, 2023 @4:11 PM

Simon Rattle: UK classical music is fighting for life after ‘swingeing’ funding cuts

The outgoing director of the London Symphony Orchestra says that cuts by Arts Council England and the BBC risk destroying the entire sector

Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent

24, Apr, 2023 @2:33 PM

BBC Singers/LSO review – music, and words, of power as Rattle protests vandalism of UK’s musical life

Superbly executed Mahler was given fire by the addition of Poulenc’s work from the just saved BBC Singers – and a fierce attack on arts funding by the conductor

Tim Ashley

24, Apr, 2023 @12:05 PM

Katya Kabanova review – Rattle and Majeski capture the rapture and chaos of Janáček’s turbulent love story

The LSO are on ravishing form, perfectly blending the lyricism and intensity of the score, while the whole cast deliver singing of the highest calibre

Tim Ashley

13, Jan, 2023 @7:54 AM

LSO/Rattle review – final season opens with British programme that sparkles

Elgar’s second symphony, sharp and startling and with its slow movement dedicated to a recently departed monarch, was paired with Frank Bridge and new music by Daniel Kidane for a vivid opening concert

Andrew Clements

12, Sep, 2022 @1:25 PM

LSO/Rattle review – transatlantic glitz and lithe elegance

Simon Rattle once again showed his affinity with Haydn before a distinct second half featuring a London premiere of John Adams and extrovert Gershwin works