Alim Beisembayev review – mature and intelligent playing from a future piano star
With a programme of Haydn, Beethoven and Liszt, the Kazakhstan-born winner of last year’s Leeds Piano Competition confirmed that he is a musician to watch
December 2021
Royal Northern Sinfonia/Włoszczowska review – lacklustre start for new venue
A predominantly baroque programme at this brand new concert hall found the RNS on disappointing form, although Haydn and Herschel brought drama and energy
October 2021
Cultural prescription
Cultural prescription: film, books, plays and more to help you embrace autumn
From A Midsummer Night’s Dream to When Harry Met Sally, Guardian critics suggest comforting culture for the changing seasons
October 2020
Know the score
Haydn: where to start with his music
Humorous, earnest, prolific and always deeply humane, the Austrian composer is credited with inventing the symphony and the string quartet. Even if that’s not strictly true, his creativity shaped western classical music
July 2019
Prom 14: BBC Phil/Wellber review – creative approach makes for a magnificent Creation
Conducted from the keyboard, Omer Meir Wellber’s Haydn might have been idiosyncratic, but at its best this Proms performance was magical
August 2018
Alisa Weilerstein Transfigured Night – Haydn and Schoenberg CD review - captures each shift of colour
Louder than bombs: my journey in war and music
October 2017
Lady Gaga, Rigoletto, Ode to Joy and Eliza's Aria? Earworms, all of them
Mark Twain wrote about it in 1876 and he didn’t even have a radio … some music gets stuck in our heads. Mind you, classical composers intended it that way
July 2017
Readers recommend
Readers recommend playlist: songs about chaos
Chaos and confusion reign this week, with Bob Dylan, the Temptations, Devo and Philip Glass all making this week’s reader-curated playlist
June 2017
Haydn: Sun Quartets, Op 20 Nos 4-6 CD review – immaculate and spirited
The four musicians tackle the composer’s boldness with intensity and ferocity, but without losing poise and grace
February 2017
Haydn: Symphonies 8 & 84, Violin Concerto in A major CD – review
(Coro)
January 2017
Haydn: String Quartets Opp 54 & 55 CD review – countless pleasures
Five of the best… new classical concerts
BBC Symphony Orchestra: this week’s best UK classical concerts
December 2016
Haydn: Mass in Time of War; Nelson Mass CD review – mixed blessings
City of London Choir, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Davan Wetton (RPO)
November 2016
Rambert: The Creation review – impeccable, if a little coy
Rambert dance Haydn beautifully, but was the Garden of Eden quite this decorous?
August 2016
Haydn: 107 Symphonies CD review – a lifetime’s wonderful listening
The Academy of Ancient Music/Hogwood; Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century/ Brüggen; Accademia Bizantina/ Dantone (Decca) (35 CDs)
July 2016
Haydn's Creation danced by Rambert and sung by Garsington Opera - in pictures
The Creation, staged with Garsington Opera and featuring stunning designs by the artist Pablo Bronstein, features more than 40 Rambert dancers. See how they found the moves to match Joseph Haydn’s celebrated oratorio
April 2016
The Seasons review - Rattle and the LSO bring wit and humour to Haydn's masterpiece
The composer’s late oratorio is the work of a man looking back at life with great contentment, even as he contemplates its close
March 2016
Haydn: Symphonies Nos 78, 79, 80 and 81 CD review – Dantone brings a light touch and good taste
Ottavio Dantone and the Accademia Bizantina period instrument recordings of four Haydn symphonies are models of historical good taste
February 2016
Haydn: String Quartets Op 50 CD review – pure joy
The London Haydn Quartet’s new Op 50 set makes you marvel anew at the composer’s wit and invention
