andrewclements

Olga Neuwirth: Orlando review | Andrew Clements's classical album of the week

Neuwirth’s 2019 opera adapting and updating Virginia Woolf’s story has an outstanding lead in Kate Lindsey although it ultimately feels less than the sum of its parts

Andrew Clements

19, May, 2022 @2:00 PM

London Sinfonietta/Cornelius review – neatly packaged collection of modern gems

Featuring works by indisputably great figures from the last 100 years, the programme aimed to attract newcomers with a showcase of contemporary styles

Andrew Clements

19, May, 2022 @12:21 PM

CBSO/Gražinytė-Tyla review – assured Bruckner and arresting Tchaikovsky mark the end of a Birmingham era

Symphony Hall, Birmingham
In her last UK concert as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s music director, Gražinytė-Tyla showed just what a fine and nuanced Bruckner interpreter she really is

Andrew Clements

12, May, 2022 @4:08 PM

Holliger: Lunea review | Andrew Clements's classical album of the week

Holliger’s 2018 opera, depicting episodes from the life of Austrian poet Nikolaus Lenau, is superbly presented in this live recording, with Gerhaher leading an impressive cast

Andrew Clements

12, May, 2022 @2:33 PM

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

Britten Sinfonia/Elder review – Holst’s Indian gem takes centre stage

Savitri was given a rare outing in a concert that framed Holst’s Indian opera with works by Grace Williams and Britten, and closed with a boundary-crossing fusion that Holst would have relished

Andrew Clements

05, May, 2022 @2:29 PM

LPO/Gardner review – timely celebration of the brilliance of Oliver Knussen

The LPO’s celebration of the late composer included a superbly assured performance of his Horn Concerto by the 19-year-old Annemarie Federle, a last-minute replacement. Glittering Ravel and sequences from Britten’s only ballet followed.

Andrew Clements

02, May, 2022 @9:02 AM

Raising Icarus review – high-flying chamber opera that packs a punch

This mythical story of parental wrongs is well served by strong performances and Michael Zev Gordon’s impressive music

Andrew Clements

29, Apr, 2022 @3:08 PM

Weber: Der Freischütz review | Andrew Clements's classical album of the week

A studio-made recording of the 1821 German opera that influenced generations of composers brings a nice edge of menace to its sound world

Andrew Clements

28, Apr, 2022 @2:00 PM

Proms 2022: back to normal, but why settle for ‘normal’?

The return of international orchestras and an increased focus on concerts outside London are welcome facets, but adventurous and ambitious programming feels in short supply. And, below, our pick of this year’s concerts

Andrew Clements

26, Apr, 2022 @5:01 AM

New Music Biennial review – a broad-minded mix of genres and styles

On its 10th anniversary, the biennial featured 10 new pieces and 10 revivals, from Paul Purgas’s pulsing tape piece to Arlene Sierra’s touching work for three pianos and birdsong

Andrew Clements

24, Apr, 2022 @2:09 PM