The London Sinfonietta
Claude Vivier weekend review – unruly and utterly distinctive
A rare immersion in the late Canadian composer – notorious for the manner of his death – reveals patchy beginnings evolving into mature harmonic soundscapes unlike anything else
Andrew Clements
09, May, 2022 @8:05 AM
‘The planets aligned!’ How Górecki’s Third Symphony stormed the 90s pop charts
A profoundly mournful classical work, written by one of Poland’s leading avant-garde composers, vied with REM and Paul McCartney to become a huge bestseller in 1992. Those involved recall a truly surprising hit
Paul Kilbey
29, Apr, 2022 @7:00 AM
London Sinfonietta/Edmon Colomer – Gerhard’s starry exuberance makes welcome return
Two of the Catalan-composer’s astrological works reminded audiences of his brilliantly-coloured music in a programme that also showcased contemporary Catalan composers
Andrew Clements
02, Dec, 2021 @2:38 PM
Bluebeard’s Castle review – Bartók’s opera wields devastating power in contrasting performances
Gerald Finley and Susan Bullock are at their best in a disquieting small-scale reimagining for Theatre of Sound; while Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic’s more traditional take is equally sensational
Tim Ashley
07, Nov, 2021 @1:08 PM
House music: Flora Willson's watching and listening highlights
Our critic enjoys a masterly, socially distanced first night of the Proms, a new series by Opera North made to listen as you walk and a striking Met performance by Lise Davidsen
Flora Willson
31, Aug, 2020 @4:00 PM
London Sinfonietta review – the haunting charm of Mauricio Kagel
From vampy robotics to a ‘game’ between cellists, this vivid celebration of the late avant-garde composer embraced the remarkable range of his work
Andrew Clements
04, Feb, 2020 @4:14 PM
Sinfonietta/Fischer review – mystery and awe, from Debussy to Harvey
Using Debussy’s Prélude à l’Après-Midi d’un Faune as a starting point, composers from Varèse to Saariaho furthered its sonority and spectralism
Tim Ashley
23, Jan, 2020 @3:38 PM
London Sinfonietta/Baker review – Tansy Davies' distinctive music lingers
The raw intensity of Davies’ writing was perfectly captured in this concert that also showcased impressive works by Naomi Pinnock and Clara Iannotta
Andrew Clements
11, Nov, 2019 @1:47 PM
The Garden review – Sinfonietta bring Richard Ayres's surreal work to vivid life
Diverse, discursive and impossibly dense, Ayres’s picaresque tale is dramatically uneven but was performed with virtuoso flair
Andrew Clements
18, Apr, 2019 @12:00 PM
New Work New Music review – Royal Ballet's short works are a step in the right direction
From Aletta Collins’ refreshing abstraction to Calvin Richardson’s human piñatas, these new works are just what the Royal should be doing right now
Lyndsey Winship
07, Feb, 2019 @12:16 PM
The week in classical: Porgy and Bess; ETO triple bill; Passion review – from Catfish Row to Carthage
ENO’s first ever Porgy and Bess is a resounding triumph. Elsewhere, a harmonious triple bill and a seamless fusion of dance, music and myth
Fiona Maddocks
20, Oct, 2018 @1:00 PM
London Sinfonietta/George Benjamin review – austere first world war meditation
Benjamin conducts four new pieces with care and intensity but comes into his own with works of ritual mourning by Stravinsky and Messiaen
Tim Ashley
23, Jul, 2018 @10:30 AM
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