Live Music – Page 2 – FringeReview

Review: Simon Watterton Piano Recital

Another pianist to welcome back before he gets snapped up, even in this climate. Superb.

Published February 6, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Sam Brown A John Dowland Lute Recital

A climactic Fantasia lifts the atmosphere of this recital to something quite apt. A superb debut.

Published February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Blood Brothers

The blend of definitive and new cast members in a recent classic has overwhelming impact: as story, as lyric fable, as terrible moral for these distracted times.

Published February 5, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: You Stupid Darkness!

Bleakly funny, with flickers of tragedy, to make you see how redemptive kindness is

Published February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: The Welkin

Already a contender for one of the best plays of 2020.

Published January 28, 2020January 28, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Sirius Chau and Irena Radic Flute and Piano Recital

A terrific journey. We need more of this.

Published January 23, 2020February 6, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Marco Leung Solo Flute Recital

Someone you want back.

Published January 17, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: John Collins Organ Recital

A masterly, absorbing introduction to unknown composers

Published January 14, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Roots

An Edinburgh International Festival, HOME Manchester, Spoleto Festival USA & Theatre de la Ville Paris co-production

Published January 11, 2020 by Lisa Wolfe

Review: Thriller Live

A literally thrilling two-plus hours

Published January 9, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Yaqi Yao, Violin and Cheung Man Lok Piano Recital

A memorable debut, with welcome original repertoire

Published January 9, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Henry VI

The most effective condensation of the pith of the trilogy we’re likely to see.

Published January 8, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Peter Sulski and Ariana Falk Violin and Cello Recital

A memorable start to 2020.

Published January 8, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Three Sisters

This spectacular production beats with a fervour and purpose few adaptations achieve. Ellams has made Three Sisters new.

Published December 22, 2019December 22, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Swive

A Hilliard rather than Holbein, it’s the velocity of Elizabeth’s survival that enthrals

Published December 21, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The three lead actors, divas and a superb cast give this production its beating pink heart.

Published December 19, 2019December 19, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Mary Thomas, Muriel Hart, Soprano and Piano Recital

A heartfelt, truthful recital.

Published December 19, 2019December 19, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: František Brikcius Solo Cello Recital

A superb recital with unique material, played with distinctive authority.

Published December 12, 2019December 12, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Great Expectations

A professionally-realized NVT production, consummate and brooding

Published December 11, 2019December 11, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Caroline Colingridge and Margaret Grimsdell Flute and Piano Recital

A truly exploratory programme, with not one standard in it.

Published December 11, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: A Christmas Carol

The most original, potent and uplifting Christmas Carol I’ve ever seen

Published December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Midnight Movie

What we have is absorbing

Published December 5, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Alan Parmenter and Howard Blake Violin and Piano Recital

Howard Blake playing his own compositions beyond The Snowman, made this treasurable

Published December 4, 2019December 6, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Guangmel Chen Piano Recital

A masterly recital, sovereign technique.

Published November 28, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Sussex Musicians Concert

Singers set a few benchmarks and piansit Kevin Allen in particular ferociously adventuring to fresh sonorities

Published November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: As You Like It

For Lucy Phelps and Sophie Khan Levy above all, this is a joyful As You Like It.

Published November 24, 2019November 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: A Letter to a Friend in Gaza

Amos Gitai’s curating hope from the ruins, impelling the audience to construct a narrative.

Published November 22, 2019December 2, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: The Taming of The Shrew

Highlights how good the play is just where we’re not looking for it

Published November 22, 2019November 22, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Paul Gregory Guitar Recital

A consummate exploration of music we need to know.

Published November 21, 2019November 21, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Anne Allen and Charles Matthews Flute and Piano Recital

Anne Allen and Charles Matthews are superb, stylish recitalists

Published November 20, 2019November 21, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: The Death of Robert Earl of Huntingdon

A terrific revival

Published November 18, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Measure for Measure

An outstanding production

Published November 15, 2019March 4, 2020 by Simon Jenner

Review: Daniel Stroud, Violin, Hanzhi Zhang, Piano

A characterful, assured debut.

Published November 14, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: All’s Well That Ends Well

Hannah Morrish’s Helena shines in this achingly desperate, quietly beautiful production.

Published November 13, 2019November 14, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: With Memories

A wonderfully evocative dementia themed concert for local charity Memory Lane

Published November 12, 2019 by Tim Marriott

Review: John Collins Organ Recital

Yet another superb Collins recital, impromptu.

Published November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Riya and Berniya Hamie Cello and Piano Recital

These sisters comprise two of a rising new generation.

Published November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Classical Folk Recital

A gently melancholic concert, with moments to touch any soft-grained heart.

Published October 30, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Nick Houghton Organ Recital

Exhilarating.

Published October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: A History of Water in the Middle East

Hugely absorbing it’s entertaining too.

Published October 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Blood Wedding

In several ways, this is about as good as it gets.

Published October 24, 2019October 24, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Flute, Violin, Piano Recital

Unexpected repertoire, played with panache and sensitivity.

Published October 23, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: The Entertainer

There won’t be a better repointing of any Osborne work.

Published October 22, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: O’Higgins and Luft Quartet

Immensely satisfying in this repertoire.

Published October 19, 2019October 21, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

This surely is the greatest Dream since Peter Brook’s landmark 1970 production.

Published October 19, 2019October 21, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Bunch of Daph’s Recital

The ensemble’s exuberant variety and panache never fails.

Published October 17, 2019October 17, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Yoko Ono Piano Recital

Magnificently idiomatic playing.

Published October 16, 2019October 16, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Julia Wallin Piano Recital

Wallin must return to play more Finnish music

Published October 11, 2019October 11, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Sohyun Park Piano Recital

An auspicious return of this pianist.

Published October 10, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: New Music Brighton Concert, Friends Meeting House

Another sovereign afternoon from the most innovative regional new music group in the UK.

Published October 9, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Youth Without God

We’re launched into a necessary world

Published September 28, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Yoon Seok Piano Recital

A truly distinguished recital

Published September 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: The Sad Shepherd

A necessary production you’re unlikely ever to see anywhere else.

Published September 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Zoffany Ensemble Dvorak Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Op 81

The Zoffanys are sovereign performers, and this stands with the best chamber concerts I’ve heard at this venue.

Published September 25, 2019October 9, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: A Woman Of No Importance

A sovereign cast-bronze production.

Published September 24, 2019September 24, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Faith, Hope & Charity

Grounded in quiet with a huge howl

Published September 20, 2019September 23, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: What Girls Are Made Of

Cora Bissett’s set the bar thrillingly high for a new genre. Who could follow her?

Published September 18, 2019September 18, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Rythmie Wong Recital

A thunderous and revelatory recital.

Published September 17, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Antonio Oyarzabal Piano Recital

These intelligent programmes make Antonio Oyarzabal’s recitals an occasion.

Published September 12, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Preludes

I’m hooked. We need more of this.

Published September 12, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Oliver Nelson and Vasilis Rakitzis Violin and Piano Recital

A glorious recital.

Published September 12, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: BBC Proms 69

An immensely satisfying traversal into darkness.

Published September 11, 2019September 11, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Bartholomew Fair

If only one could see it twice: but try it at least once.

Published September 3, 2019September 5, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Endsleigh Trio

A deeply satisfying recital.

Published August 29, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A carnival riot of joy – with enough misdirection to evoke moonshine

Published August 29, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: BrOg

An excellent hour of traditional Scottish music

Published August 26, 2019 by Tim Wilcock

Review: BBC Prom 47 Bach Organ Works, Bruckner Symphony 8 in C minor

Bach’s organ works on the Willis are thrilling in Michael Schonheidt’s hands. Andris Nelsons is exemplary, the Leipzigers uninhibited, agonized, overwhelming in Bruckner 8

Published August 25, 2019August 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: BBC Prom 46 Howell Elgar Knussen Weinberg

Sheku Kanneh-Mason is thrillingly intimate, matched by Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla’s lucid, energetic readings throughout.

Published August 25, 2019August 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: BBC Prom 44 Koechlin Varese Walton

It’s Rattle’s genius for the fresh and new that endures.

Published August 25, 2019August 25, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: The John Rowe Show

Energetic song, dance and comedy performed by a charismatic entertainer

Published August 23, 2019 by Joe Angella

Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

It couldn’t be done any better and puts several touring shows to shame.

Published August 23, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: The Doctor

A triumph for all concerned. Juliet Stevenson even gains in stature. Icke’s last production could hardly go better than this.

Published August 22, 2019August 22, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Michele Roszak and Lynda Spinney: First Love

A terrific way to blow the summer haze

Published August 21, 2019August 21, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: As You Like It

A heartwarming revival. Jack Laskey, Bettrys Jones and Nadia Nadarajah have made a space for this As You Like It well beyond its initial moment last year.

Published August 21, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Anon Look About You

Exceptional and vibrant, the company prove it’s one to revive.

Published August 19, 2019August 20, 2019 by Simon Jenner

Review: Brian Molley Quintet Play Jazz Samba – Celebrating a Masterpiece of Brazilian Jazz

Silky jazz from a quintet in the grove

Published August 19, 2019 by Tim Wilcock

Review: Swim

A dreamy piece of theatre combining storytelling, live music and visuals exploring grief, swimming and friendship.

Published August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 by Didi Craze

Review: Hannah Creswell, Constance Chow Flute and Piano Recital

We don’t know our luck.