Reviews of Prog Rock, Classical Music, Art Rock and Jazz
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"
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"
Saturday 13 June 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★★★★★ From a funeral march to resurrection: superb Mahler in Manchester Gentlemen of City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus © Chris Payne From a funeral march to resurrection: superb Mahler in Manchester Manchester does like Mahler. The Bridgewater Hall was almost full on Saturday evening for a …
Saturday 25 April 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★★★★★ The orchestra continues its superb run of form with Julia Wolfe's vision of the aftermath of 9/11, Bomsori's virtuosic violin-playing in Tchaikovsky, and Berlioz's opium-induced visions Violinist Bomsori with members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra © Chris Payne Like Manchester's two Premier League football teams, its …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto"
Saturday 18 April 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★★★★★ Jazz and classical music unite in a stunning celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence Members of the BBC Philharmonic. Image © Chris Payne Saturday evening's concert by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joshua Weilerstein at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, was a celebration …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – New World Symphony – Live review"
Saturday 14 March 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester **** Stunning singing from soprano Sarah Wegener in Wagner and Strauss, and the UK premiere of a potential classic by Edmund Finnis Soprano Sarah Wegener with conductor Nicholas Carter and the BBC Philharmonic. Image © Chris Payne Saturday's concert by the BBC Philharmonic under the baton of …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Four Last Songs – Live Review"
Thursday 24 February 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ***** 'A mature work from a highly accomplished composer' - Jonny Greenwood's new violin concerto performed by Daniel Pioro and The Hallé Jonny Greenwood. Photo credit Sharyn Bellemakers/The Hallé Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood has been a classical composer for the last twenty years. His film scores, including There Will …
Continue reading "The Hallé Orchestra with Jonny Greenwood – Live Review"
Saturday 21 February 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ***** Love is a fragile thing: superb performances of Albarn Berg, Sergey Prokofiev and Cassandra Miller by Lawrence Power and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Composer Cassandra Miller, Viola Player Lawrence Power and Members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Credit: Chris Payne On The Cure's comeback album Songs of a …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Romeo and Juliet – Live Review"
Saturday 7 February 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester **** French-tinged minimalism, sparkling Ravel and Rachmaninoff's final orchestral statement Elisabeth Brauß and members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Image © Chris Payne Saturday evening's concert by the BBC Philharmonic was their first under the baton of Adam Hickox. He's the son of Richard Hickox, who died nearly …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances – Live Review"
Saturday 24 January 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ***** An unforgettable exploration of Bartók's psychodrama Jennifer Johnston as Judith, Christopher Purves as Duke Bluebeard and conductor Anja Bihlmaier. Image © Chris Payne It's unusual for one concert in an orchestra's season to follow on from the next, unless they are part of a programmed series, such …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Bluebeard’s Castle – Live Review"