21st Century

A collection of 25 posts

Chinese

The Power of Chinese Symphonic Music: Xilin Wang's Third Symphony

This is not for the faint-hearted, but it is, absolutely, recommended.

21st Century

Elisabetta Brusa's Requiem & Stabat Mater

Elisabetta Brusa has a powerful compositional voice, and her music is served with the fervent advocacy of the Hungarian forces

21st Century

Orchestral Works by Dani Howard

Dani Howard's kaleidoscopic music is showcased in superb performances and a phenomenal recording

Live Performance

Dies Irae: Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Aurora

Patricia Kopatchinskaja's programming is always stimulating, but as she turns her attention to environmental issues and climate change, so her events take on an extra power. Her last QEH concert I reported on was Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire in a remarkable realisation, while her “Les Adieux” -

20th Century

Memories in Watercolour: the Piano Music of Tan Dun

A superb disc - fervently recommended!

21st Century

Emily Howard: “The Anvil” and “Elliptics”

This disc really is a confluence of excellences

Piano

Edmund Finnis: Youth (EP review)

A vibrant piece of new music, stunningly performed and recorded

Contemporary

Luke Bedford: In the Voices of the Living

Four orchestras, four pieces: this is a wonderful collection of works by Luke Bedford

Christmas

“A Winter Breviary”: Choral Works for Christmas

A lovely album, all the more cherishable for its wealth of new Christmas material. St Martin's Voices is a superb choir

Haydn

More sublime Haydn Piano Trios from Trio Gaspard

A terrific disc, full of life, and yet full, also, of timeless wisdom

21st Century

REPOST: The Gospel of Mary: Hugi Guðmundsson's oratorio

This is a major piece of music - Guðmunsson”s setting is as profound as the words of the Gospel itself

Contemporary

More Enno Poppe: Prozession

This disc acts as a vital reminder of the importance of Enno Poppe’s music

21st Century

Bent Sørensen’s stunning St Matthew Passion

An astonishingly powerful modern-day St Matthew; and the perfect complement to JSB’s towering masterpiece

21st Century

The vocal music of Arnulf Herrmann

This is a compelling disc - it draws you in, making repeated listening both necessity and pleasure

21st Century

Paavo Järvi conducts John Adams

It is becoming increasingly evident that everything Paavo Järvi touches turns to sonic gold

Piano

Visions: Tamara Stefanovich and Pierre-Laurent Aimard

A terrific disc. Unmissable

20th Century

Berlin Festival (1): Ensemblekollektiv Berlin / Enno Poppe

Musikfest Berlin 2022 is in full flow ... A phenomenal concert

Scandinavian

REPOST Music is like H20: Eliasson Symphonies & Trombone Concerto on BIS

A superb introduction to the music of Anders Elisasson. This is profound, often beautiful, music

Birtwistle

Repost: Birtwistle Chamber Works (BIS)

A superb disc - the Nash Ensemble reminds us of their place at he top of the chamber tree, while Birtwistle's music remains as uncompromising and brilliant as ever

Competitions

Invocations: Maroussia Gentet and the Concours d'Orléans

Gentet's disc is a beautifully realised, well-balanced recital of great interest

Contemporary

Visions and Utterances: Concert Review

An invaluable experience for Rebecca Saunders’ blistering new piece and George Walker’s fine Sinfonia No. 5

Piano

Andreas Haefliger plays Ravel, Bartók and Ammann

Stimulating programming from Haefliger for this trio of delights!

21st Century

The Beauty of Contemporary Music: Detlef Heusinger

In short, an expression of utmost beauty couched in modernist terms

20th Century

Penderecki Complete Music for String Quartet

A disc shot full with life and adventure: absolutely what Classical Explorer is all about!. The vivid performances are self-recommending

Choral

Arvo Part: Miserere

A timely reminder of the importance of the Arvo Pärt's music