Gerhard: Don Quixote; Suite from Alegrías; Pedrelliana album review – deft, exuberant work from the BBCPhil
Juanjo Mena brings out the flair for instrumental colour in Roberto Gerhard’s early works
January 2024
Stravinsky: Violin Concerto album review – neoclassical Stravinsky with style and substance
The Apollo ballet and the Violin concerto are the lead works in this collection recorded by conductor Andrew Davis and violinist James Ehnes
November 2023
BBC Philharmonic/Storgårds review – a life-affirming programme from an orchestra firing on all cylinders
From James Lee III’s vivid exploration of Martin Luther King to an electrifying performance of Nielsen’s fourth, this was an evening to lift even the most downtrodden spirits
July 2023
The week in classical: Manchester Classical; Alice Sara Ott and Friends: Quartet for the End of Time – review
The Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and Manchester Collective join forces in an enticing new weekender for their home city. Elsewhere, breathless, barefoot revelations with Messiaen
April 2023
BBC changes course on proposed cuts to English orchestras
Corporation says it will work with union to find alternatives to 20% reduction in roles
March 2023
There is no one with power to fight for classical music at the BBC now. It’s as if Herod runs the creche
Paul Hughes
Savage cuts suggest a cadre of bosses has forgotten what public service broadcasting is, says Paul Hughes, former director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the BBC Singers
BBC chief draws ire of 700 composers with ‘devastating’ plan to axe choir
Closure of BBC Singers was announced last week along with 20% cut to salaried positions in BBC orchestras
Conductors condemn ‘shortsighted’ plans to disband BBC Singers
In letter to director general, conductors also express disbelief at 20% job cuts in BBC’s orchestras in England
October 2022
BBC to air rediscovered work by ‘one of greatest composers of African descent’
Home listening
Classical home listening: African American Voices with the RSNO; Clare Hammond plays Montgeroult
August 2022
Prom 34: BBCPhil/Ollikainen review – Thorvaldsdottir’s study in sonority is impressive and engaging
Prom 25: BBCPhil/Storgårds/Eyck review – Aho’s theremin casts a spell
July 2022
The week in classical: Proms 2 & 5; Attila; Thomas Kelly – review
Star violist Lawrence Power and John Wilson’s orchestra dazzle at the Proms. Elsewhere, fireworks on the stage and podium in early Verdi, and a young pianist astonishes
March 2022
BBCPhil/Davis review – Vaughan Williams’ greatest orchestral works given power and brilliance
The week in classical: BBC Philharmonic/Wigglesworth; Sergei Babayan and Martha Argerich
February 2022
BBCPhil/Wigglesworth review – Vaughan Williams celebrations open with style but not enough substance
BBC 100: Celebrating the BBC Orchestras review – party weekend has some fizz but ultimately feels flat
November 2021
BBC Phil/Schwarz review – Coult’s bewitching Pleasure Garden goes back to nature
The BBC Philharmonic and Daniel Pioro premiered Tom Coult’s enigmatic and original violin concerto, elegantly paired with Kurt Weill and Ravel
May 2021
BBC Young Musician 2020 final review – a golden year
Percussionist Fang Zhang wins BBC Young Musician 2020
