Reviews of Prog Rock, Classical Music, Art Rock and Jazz
Joshua Weilerstein will become Chief Conductor from September 2028, taking over from John Storgårds Joshua Weilerstein © Yuri Tavares The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra have just announced the appointment of Joshua Weilerstein as their new Chief Conductor from September 2028, taking over from John Storgårds. Weilerstein was in Manchester in April to conduct the orchestra in …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Appoint New Conductor"
Saturday 24 October 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Superb soloists in Mahler and Mendelssohn, and an evocative orchestral piece by Composer in Residence Cassandra Miller ★★★★★ Sheva Tehoval (soprano), John Storgårds (conductor), BBC Philharmonic Orchestra © Chris Payne “Prithee, nuncle, be contented.’Tis a naughty night to swim in.” The Fool to King Lear on the stormy …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Mahler Symphony No. 4 – Live Review"
Friday 16 October 2026 London Coliseum ★★★★ Superbly sung and staged, the London premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera is visceral and thought-provoking The Cast of ENO's Angel's Bone London Coliseum © Nirah-Sanghani ‘It’s visceral,’ said a friend who saw the Manchester production of Angel’s Bone in May, before it transferred to the London Coliseum …
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Friday 9 October 2026 RNCM, Manchester A joyful and exhilarating meeting of cultures ★★★★★ Last Friday’s concert by Manchester Collective and the Sidiki Dembélé Ensemble brought together two cultures: British classical music and traditional West African music. Born in Abobo, near Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Sidiki Dembélé is a percussionist and composer. Rakhi Singh, the Collective’s …
Continue reading "Manchester Collective x Sidiki Dembélé: Constellations – Live Review"
Thursday 8 October 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★★★★★ The Hallé continues its magnificent season with the debut of conductor Nodoka Okisawa in two 20th-century Russian masterpieces The Hallé Orchestra and Pavel Kolesnikov It’s a great time to be living in Manchester, not just because of the consistently lovely weather (!), but also because of …
Continue reading "The Hallé – Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 – Live Review"
Tuesday 29 September 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester The Sixteen bring peace and stillness to the opening concert of the Bridgewater Hall's 30th International Concert Series ★★★★ The Sixteen and conductor Harry Christophers. Credit: Johnny Millar/The Bridgewater Hall Harry Christophers and his chamber choir The Sixteen first performed at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall in February 1998, eighteen …
Continue reading "The Sixteen: Angel of Peace – Live Review"
Thursday 23 September 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★★★★★ Celebrating 30 years of The Bridgewater Hall with the world premiere of a stunning new symphony by Sir James MacMillan Sir James MacMillan, Kahchun Wong and members of The Hallé. Credit: Alex Burns, The Hallé On Wednesday 11 September 1996, the Bridgewater Hall opened its doors for …
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Saturday 19 September 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★ ★★ ★ ★ The Orchestra opens its new season with a stunning homage to nature, and a new piece by Gabriella Smith with a strong ecological theme BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds, conductor © Chris Payne Saturday evening’s opening concert of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra's new season, …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra: Sibelius Symphony No. 5 – Live Review"
Tuesday 30 June 2026 Aviva Studios, Manchester ★★★★ The music of four titans of contemporary classical music, including a new piece from Cassie Kinoshi that was remarkable in more ways than one Manchester Collective. Image © Mike Skelton Tuesday evening’s concert by Manchester Collective at Aviva Studios in Manchester was titled ‘Patterns in Repeat’ with …
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Saturday 20 June 2026 Manchester Monastery, Gorton Lane, Manchester ★★★★★ Kantos Chamber Choir celebrates its tenth anniversary in stunning surroundings and an amazing acoustic Kantos, RNCM and the University of Manchester Chamber Choirs, with conductor Ellie Slorach. Image © The AC Product It’s ten years since Claire Shercliff (Company Director) and Ellie Slorach (Creative Director) …
Continue reading "Kantos Chamber Choir – Hope on Earth – Live Review"