Gavin Dixon is a writer, journalist and editor specialising in classical music. He writes for publications such as Gramophone, Classical Music and BBC Music Magazine. Gavin has a PhD on the symphonies of Alfred Schnittke and is a member of the editorial team for the “Alfred Schnittke Collected Works” edition. His website is here.
Philip Sawyers’ Third Symphony imposing but tightly argued, and given a compelling first performance by Kenneth Woods and the English Symphony Orchestra.
Karabits leads an adventurous programme at the BSO’s Poole home, with flamboyant violinist Nemanja Radulović on surprisingly refined form in the Barber Concerto.
Visionary director Marek Weiss ends his tenure at Opera Bałtyka with a powerful and uncompromising take on one of Poland’s most important modern operas.
The London Symphony Orchestra doesn’t rest on its laurels. A century of world-class music making has earned it a global reputation for performances of the core classics. But the orchestra also has a commitment to new works and emerging composers, showcasing the music of today and nurturing the music of tomorrow.
A threadbare staging from Graham Vick allows Haas’ innovative score to shine. Drama is modest, but complements sophisticated music to project an impressively unified vision.
He’s only 26, but Mark Simpson is already a leading light of the contemporary music world. He tells Bachtrack about his new commission for Manchester International Festival.
“Two Ladies”, the title of this afternoon’s concert of the Estonian Music Days festival, referred to its two violin soloists, Triin Ruubel and Juta Õunapuu-Mocanita.
The Tallinn National Symphony Orchestra Easter concert represents new music patronage on a grand scale. Six up-and-coming Estonian composers are commissioned write a substantial work for orchestra, and an entire concert is given over to their first performances.
“If you haven’t heard Notations your life isn’t complete.” Ruth Mackenzie is clearly passionate about the music of Pierre Boulez, and in her new capacity as Artistic Director of the Holland Festival she is in the perfect position to share that passion.
The Northern Lights Festival takes place in Tromsø, Northern Norway, at the end of January each year. It is predominantly a classical music event, although that forms the core of what is always a very diverse offering, with plenty of jazz and popular music in the mix too.
Rudolf Buchbinder demonstrated his authority in Beethoven with a compelling and elegant account of the Fourth Piano Concerto, while Nikolaj Znaider reached for extremes in Mahler’s First.
