(4 / 5)

A final flourish in London would see a concert version of Benjamin Britten’s finest stage work, Peter Grimes. His first opera proper, this piece was deviating on first impact back in 1945. Set in Suffolk in the early 1800s, this remains a devastating examination of the individual vs the community. The libretto by Montagu Slater is also a thing of beauty, sharp and stirring, taking George Crabbe’s short stories and turning them into something vivid for the 20th century.

I have to say, for what is essentially an amateur orchestra and singers, I was extremely impressed. This is not an easy piece by any standard and it felt like a lot of rehearsal had gone into the whole thing. Sat in the front row, I was battered by this North Sea storm, the cast and conductor inches away from me. I will be honest and say most moments with some soloists in the chorus and some members of the orchestra had brief wobbles, but these are small quips in another wise stellar offering. 

John Hudson adds a depth of Ricky Tomlinson as the titular character. A proud tenor, I find him to mostly work in this commanding role, some phrasing here and there needed some work. He had some touching moments his monologue towards the end was touching, some lines between sung and spoken. Wales’ own Mari Wyn Williams made a marvellous Ellen Orford, also getting a superb aria in the third act. The large ensemble of singers could be seen in productions some of them really looking the part. Nicholas Folwell was great as Captain Balstrode, more sympathetic to Grimes’ abuse and antics. As Ned Keene, Nicolas Morris made a great sight, the pill peddler and all round smuggler, with some fine acting to boot. 

As Auntie, Mae Heydorn excelled as the exhausted bar keep of The Boar pub, where a lot of the funny and stormy moments occur in the opera. She really could be the part and her voice  had that syrupy style the role commands. Mrs Sedley is always fun, the busy-body of the bough here tackled by another fine singer: Susanna Tudor-Thomas. It’s a role which is easily hammed up, some might call her a Karen by today’s standards, though Susanna had fun and we did too. John-Colyn Gyeantey had brief,  biblical bouts as the Rev Horace Adams, a diverse choice of singer in this concert. 

Colin Judson got to act drunk as the off the wagon Methodist and has been seen with big opera companies. His voice pierced through in the mind boggling end of act one scolding Grimes for his sweet and surreal aria, as they wait for this next doomed young apprentice. Paul Sheehan, fashioning an amazing moustache and beard, he looked the part as well as Swallow another character lost in the gossip and hearsay that penetrates the story. The bass-baritone opens the show with declamatory pipes, with Grimes in court to understand what happened with his first boy who died on Grimes’ boat at sea. Ronald Nairne as Hobson, another bass who though in it quite little, showed off some nice deep tones. As both Nieces, Ally Dunavant and Micaela Abreu delighted in their harmonies, though a bit more attention to keeping together in the opening of the last act.   

Conductor Russell Keable kept the storm in motion, this powerful score hardly lost at sea, though there where moments which might have suggested this. I did note a moment when he turn to one singers to cue them in, when I was another singers who was about to sing. The orchestra in the more tender, turbulent moments dazzled in what is regarded as the finest English language opera of the 20th century. The chorus in their hunt for Grimes blazed with glory for one of my favourite moments for an opera chorus. All that was missing was pitch forks.

Being at the Royal Opera a few nights prior, I dare say I found there to be some better singing here than overall here. Britten would have loved this community effort.

(4 / 5)

It was soon time to wrap up another hectic trip to London, I’ve been all over for this one, havinge seen some marvellous shows and also learned some things along the way. No two trips are ever the same and this one will certainly remain memorable. 

The Philharmonia gave a lush afternoon concert with Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv. Being a massive advocate for music around the world, no doubt the past year has been a lot for her.  When the marvellous conducting is this balletic and rousing you can only be lost in the music. Opening with a composer from her homeland: Borys Lyatoshynsky and his Grazhyna is anew venture for me. It painted a wonderful folk-like picture, the story of the Lithuanian princess who dies in battle had many fine moments for brass, the woodwind in other moments felt quite special. No doubt this was hand picked by Oksana, more from Lyatoshynsky is highly encouraged. A telling concert opener.   

Benjamin Grosvenor joined the players for an impeccable performance of Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto. For such a young age, he brings out so much of the piece. The uncluttered, simple harmony of the music, the piano. To always leading the orchestra but rather a symmetry and state of flux. Benjamin showed of busy fingers as expected with Chopin, the lovely Larghetto remained a fine feat, the softness and sincerity shines through. This went down well, more explorations into Chopin’s world would be encouraged, as most would only recognise his slight solo piano selections. 

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, known as the ‘Pathétique’ would leave us as the final curtain, Oksana holding command and respect over all these players who gave an impressive performance. The Russian composer’s angst is poured all over this piece, some of the most stirring string writing with that unforgettable cascading scale is a huge feature. There are moments of joy, though they don’t last forever. I’d say this was his finest symphonic creation, dying a few days after conducting its premier. Some in the audience embarrassed themselves by mistaking the penultimate moment as a violent finale, though things went straight into the soul searching Adagio lamentoso. This piercing showing really did make a mark and this conductor is proving to be a rightful success story, with an always shining orchestra.

(4 / 5)

The Manchester Collective are doing the rounds in the UK and their work looks really enticing and intriguing. I’m open to the accessible method of getting people into to hearing classical and experimental music, alongside everything in-between.

Alice Zawadzki’s Bag of Bones is a heavily inspired, Polish incantation of life, loss, love and joy. Had a feel of Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, women seen through the ages, recant their stories, their rites and lamentations. As a whole, the piece worked well, other musical selections were spliced in-between her work. This was somewhere between opera, folk, performance art and musical and it had charm and touching bits too. Alice has an airy voice, touching and robust. 

Speaking of Górecki, these players did a very find job with his Allegro from his String Quartet No. 2. It had a crisp, resplendent vitality to you, like with most of the late composer’s canon. The folk elements of southern Poland are there and the feel of the forest and woods breathes here. It was just all so lovely. David Lang’s Mystery Sonata No. 1 entitled Joy, commenced the evening, though he usually has more emotional weight this remained ethereal if sparse, as if it was not even there. 

Simón Días’s Tonada de luna llena and Andrea Tarrodi with Mirrors remained as highlights, the quartet really proving both side of the coin of traditional and experimental here. They really do excel with all the picks here. Hats off also to the pianinst Bruni Heinen and accordion/synthesiser Charles Kieny. The instrumentalists even got to have a little sing with the South American traditional Que Florezca La Luz, embracing the lord and the state of being in love.     

These choices to go with Bag of Bones were a nice touch and this could work with future work. Even grander style opera-like pieces could go down well, the wall of accessibility being broken thanks to marketing and interesting venue choices around these chores. 

I’m down to see future work in Cardiff and Bristol.  

This Spring, Penarth Pier Pavilion is working in collaboration with RWCMD on a new RWCMD-in-Residence programme. The Residency will involve music workshops and performances for all ages and audiences!

Little Concerts

Discover the wonderful world of the harp and classical guitar in this joyous and interactive chamber music concert.

Perfect for families and specifically designed around the learning styles of under-5’s. Little Concerts are hour-long events, with no segment longer than four minutes. Children participate with movement and art which expand their understanding of the music and instruments.

The first Little Concert is on Sunday 12th February 2023, 2pm to 3pm (doors open 1.30pm). Tickets are £5.95 per child + booking fee. Children to be accompanied by a maximum of 2 adults. You can find out more information and book here

What parents are saying about Little Concerts: 

I loved how the children were just so captivated by the music. I really wasn’t expecting that. She spent the whole time just transfixed. It was really accessible for them. It was gorgeous – that song towards the end. Could we just have that every evening at our house?  

I really liked the interactive activities on top of the music. I kind of assumed that we would be just listening to the music. It was really nice, that other level of engagement and stimulation. 

I like the interactive new composition where the children pointed out what they wanted to hear. That was good. Instant feedback! 

Really different. It’s lovely that its tailored completely for the children and they can do whatever they want and get completely involved. He loved it. 

Really thoroughly enjoyed the concert and lovely to have a relaxing afternoon with the children. 

I thought it was wonderful, all the interactive things for the little ones. My daughter really loved listening to that piece with the lights on the ceiling. Oh, she was so relaxed all the way through. 

It was really nice to watch her be still and listen to the music. 

It was really, really good from the point of view of the children but also the adults. 

I really enjoyed all of it and had I lovely time. I’ve never done anything like this before. 

I enjoyed the entire thing. It was quite miraculous. It was done at such a wonderful level for the children and the participation from the children was just lovely to watch. They soaked it up. 

The different activities to involve the children in the different pieces were really well thought through. The activities really complimented the pieces. 

For my older daughter, it is really nice for her to see older young people who are studying different instruments in Cardiff, coming from different places. And my younger child enjoyed being able to get involved with different activities while listening to the music. 

Introducing children to a more classical side of music and some Welsh, was fantastic. And having that interaction with it. Brilliant. 

This event is part of the RWCMD-in-Residence programme, a series of creative projects from Royal Welsh College musicians and recent graduates, presented in partnership with Penarth Pavilion.

This Spring, Penarth Pier Pavilion is working in collaboration with RWCMD on a new RWCMD-in-Residence programme. The Residency will involve music workshops and performances for all ages and audiences!

Quartet Draig will be performing ‘Romantic Works for String Quartet’ for their inaugural concert at Penarth Pavilion on Fri, 10 February 23, 19:30 – 20:30. You can book here

The Quartet is formed of current and past scholarship students from Royal Welsh College of Music Drama, Royal Northern College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As a quartet they have performed at the Wigmore Hall in the CAVATINA Competition, and in 2021 were Junior Quartet in Residence at the ESTA Conference. During their time at RWCMD they were recipients of the Albion String Quartet and the Bridgewood & Neitzert prizes, and they will also be returning to the Wigmore Hall in February 2023 to compete in the Musicians’ Company competition.

Quartet Draig have been described as “An ensemble with energy, a wholly appropriate volatility within its interpretation, and buoyancy of tutti sound” by acclaimed music critic, Richard Bratby. On an individual basis, between the quartet they also play with orchestras including BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sinfonia Cymru, and London Philharmonic Orchestra (Foyle Future Firsts). Alongside this they all regularly engage in education and outreach work, as well as other chamber music settings.

For this performance, the Quartet will be playing music from Elgar, Schumann, Borodin and Blake.

Borodin’s String Quartet No.2 is one of the most popular and enduring works by the Russian composer and is known for its lush melodies and rich harmonies. It is an excellent example of the romantic style of music that was popular in the late 19th century. It is dedicated to Borodin’s wife, with some scholars believing that it was written as a gift for their 20th anniversary, and that we can hear within the music the moment that they first met.

The intermezzo from Schumann’s String Quartet in A minor is a beautiful and expressive movement that showcases Schumann’s unique style; characterised by its dynamic, expressive power and rich harmonies.

A concert of Romantic works would not be complete without the charming “Salut D ‘Amour” by Elgar, (“Love’s Greeting”) which is one of the composer’s best-known short pieces, dedicated to his then-fiancé, Caroline Alice.

Howard Blake composed the score for the film adaption of the famous novel, “A Month in the Country” in 1987. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, and it is known for its evocative and poetic descriptions of the English countryside.

(4 / 5)

My first venture to St John Smith Square remained a dazzling afternoon concert from flutist Anna Kondrashina, with Pavel Timofeyevsky as the finest accompanist.

The spirit of the flute lived in this fine hour of music. Be it their new arrangements of old classics or some of the finest pieces in the flute and piano repertoire, everything worked so well. Clara Schumann got a lot of love with her Three Romances originally for violin and piano. She simply has to be better seen as one of the early Romantics, her husband Robert established well in that regard. The piece was very touching, Anna making it her own with its resplendence and insight. More Clara!

The Concert Fantasy on Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Golden Cockeral’ from Efrem Zimbalist held up as a sparkling delight from the Russian composer’s last opera. Very Russian sounding in nature, fine melodies and sonorities lingered around the space, Pavel on piano also getting a lot out of the score with dramatic flair, proving the composer’s clever orchestration even in just the piano reduction.

Erwin Schulhoff, a German Jew who’s life ended in a concentration camp, has one of the more interesting works in this canon: his Sonata for flute and piano. There was a lot of Stravinsky going on in this, denser moments haunted. This was a new discovery for me and I found it highly alluring and profound, the context of Schulhoff’s fate not leaving my head. Anna again, proved her mastery of the flute, you feel like these are sacred moments, the sweetness of her musicianship are always bright.

A well needed bit of cheering up was from Gershwin and his Three Preludes. Thanks to these arrangements, you fell as if they were written for flute originally. These spritely, considerate jazz delights never faltered in their tones, Anna even mimicking a drum kit in the second movements. An encore of Bach was a stunning offering we didn’t deserve, since we had been treated to an already stellar concert.