Sir John Eliot Gardiner at 70 with the LSO and Stravinsky
[Bachtrack] This was great; two really excellent Stravinsky works, incredibly well performed.
Ringing true: John Tilbury performs Beckett on a piano
[One Stop Arts] Confusing in concept. And execution.
International Contemporary Ensemble at Kings Place
Paul Kilbey reviews International Contemporary Ensemble at Kings Place, London.
[Bachtrack] A pleasant if small-scale concert.
Première of Michel van der Aa's Sunken Garden at the Barbican
[Bachtrack] This was certainly an interesting evening. Absolutely massive mosquito.
Brahms meets Schoenberg: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in London for The Rest is Noise
[Bachtrack] Rest is Noise gig, nominally. Great playing though. Bronfman phenomenal.
Talking to strangers on trains
Is this something 25-year-olds do? Because I did this on my journeys both to and from London this Easter weekend, during which I turned 25. I’m not usually particularly talkative, I guess, so I consider this notable.
Gergiev and the LSO in Brahms and Szymanowski choral works
[Bachtrack] My first experience of the LSO / Gergiev Brahms / Szymanowski pairing. Intriguing.
A 24-year-old feels old (watching The Simpsons)
I’m two days off my 25th birthday. It’s a sobering thought that Lisa Simpson almost got married nearly three years ago, on 1 August 2010. I’ve just watched the classic Simpsons episode “Lisa’s Wedding” on Channel 4 (+1, technically) and have definitely never felt older.
Kurtág's Kafka Fragments staged at the Linbury Studio Theatre
[Bachtrack] This is a stunning work of art, which does not require any staging whatsoever.
The Bachtrack Digest no. 2
[Bachtrack] Think I forgot to link to the first one of these. But this is a new feature on Bachtrack in which I round up some highlights of what our reviewers have been to recently. This is the second one.
David Matthews' 70th birthday celebration with the Nash Ensemble at Wigmore Hall
[Bachtrack] Not too much to add to this one.
The Gospel according to Peter Sellars: The LA Phil bring a European première to the Barbican
[Bachtrack] Music: impressive. Peter Sellars: not really.
Wandering around Cage: Margaret Leng Tan plays Four Walls in the Barbican Art Gallery
[Bachtrack] Part of the Dancing Around Duchamp season. Nice to have some Cage in 2013.
The composer had missed breakfast and lunch...
[DISS] Guest blog for Dartington International Summer School, where I’ve been going as a trog each summer since 2009. Joke about cheese.
Donizetti re-done: The Siege of Calais with English Touring Opera in Hackney
[Bachtrack] This was great. They changed it around quite a bit. In a good way.
