Reviews of Prog Rock, Classical Music, Art Rock and Jazz
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 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"
Saturday 17 January 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester **** A serene Beethoven piano and two unresolved American orchestral classics from Ives and Adams Alim Beisembayev (at the piano), John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic. Image credit Chris Payne. Saturday evening's concert by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, under their Chief Conductor, John Storgårds, featured two pieces by …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic – John Adams, Beethoven and Ives – Live Review"
Saturday 8 November 2025 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester **** Elena Schwarz conducts nature-themed Debussy and Mahler, with the Manchester premiere of Dani Howard's trombone concerto The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Elena Schwarz and trombonist Peter Moore. Photo © Chris Payne Saturday's concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester was an exploration of the power of nature, …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Mahler’s ‘Titan’ – Symphony No. 1 – Live Review"
Saturday 20 September 2025 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester **** A triumphant opening to the BBC Philharmonic's new season Violinist Augustin Hadelich with members of the BBC Philharmonic. Image © Chris Payne On Saturday evening, Manchester was plagued by heavy rain of almost biblical proportions, causing roads to flood; we saw a stranded car on the drive …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Fountain of Youth – Live Review"
Saturday 12 April 2025 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ***** Mahler's Ninth Symphony: A Life-Affirming Farewell? Conductor Yoel Gamzou and Members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Image © Chris Payne In an article in The Guardian, Tom Service described the final page of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony as ‘one of the most famously death-haunted places in orchestral music’. …
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Saturday 22 February 2025 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ***** A celebration of Ravel at 150 and Boulez at 100; orchestration at its most colourful and imaginative The BBC Philharmonic with Ludovic Morlot © Chris Payne. Saturday’s concert by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester was a triple celebration: of the birthdays of …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic – Pictures at an Exhibition – Live Review"