I’ve seen her a couple of times before when she played Bach (Well Tempered Clavier IIRC) and really enjoyed it. But I just didn’t get on with her interpretation of the Ravel or Schumann - the piano definitely didn’t help ( I suspect you’re right - that this is a replacement Fazioli). Unsurprisingly I thought that the baroque work by Couperin was the most enjoyable piece last night!
I’ll stick with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet for my Ravel
Edit - most of the audience clearly loved it
The Armed Man. By Karl Jenkins in Worcester Cathedral last night.
Performed by the Armonico Consort and Orchestra joined by local Academy and school choirs, who were really excellent. What a stunning piece of music which I think was sadly inspired by the Kosovo conflict.
We only went as my wife’s niece’s nine year old was in the choir. I’m glad we did.
I understand that Karl Jenkins was a member of Soft Machine for most of the 70s.
Not C. Bechstein?
Kingfishr at Rock City, Nottingham last night.
First time to the venue despite living in the area 20+ years.
The band were fabulous, saw them at Glastonbury in 24 and a Leeds festival earlier in the year.
They’re destined to go far. Seeing them in 3 weeks when they do their first ever arena shows in Dublin.
Great, great night.
A candlelit concert in St Mary’s church in Shrewsbury. A string trio playing arrangements of Fleetwood Mac songs. Lovely to hear un-amplified real instruments in a ethereal setting.
I was in Notting Hill at St.Peter’s Church on Kensington Park Road last night for a concert of Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Handel’s Dixit Dominus, sung by the Aubrey Singers. Absolutely heavenly music in a really beautiful church, with drinks and food to follow, and lovely to catch up with friends who performed as part of the group.
Had a great evening with Isabelle Faust and Andrew Manze. She was in great form and played an amazing Violin Concerto of Mendelssohn.
Program:
Schumann - Die Braut von Messina Overture
Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto
Schumann - Fantasie for Violin and Orchestra
Schubert - Symphony Nr. 7
The encore was the Scherzo of Mendelssohn, forgot what the violin encore was. But a wonderful evening in Nuremberg.
Wolf Alice at the O2 Arena in London last night. You know what? I really, really enjoyed this. They put on a great show with lots of energy. Great guitarist who can do delicate to serious riffage. But it’s the singer, Ellie Rowsell, who makes it. A fabulous voice that sounds as good live as it does recorded
By coincidence, following your recommendation in the best of 2025 thread, I’m halfway through listening to The Clearing and I’m enjoying it so far.
Bodes well for this coming Monday in Nottingham.
Go Go Penguin at the Barbican. Loud and largely lacklustre - the new material ain’t good enough none of the big piano hooks of the older stuff which fared much better.
The Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin at the Wigmore Hall in London this evening playing a ‘Baroque Christmas’ concert. Absolutely first class playing from an extraordinary ensemble at the top of their game
Hi Blue Canary - Mrs P and I went to see GoGo Penguin last night, we sat in the circle and it was very loud but did enjoy the gig. I hadn’t seen them before so may have missed out. Pleased to have seen them nonetheless.
Richard
Hi Richard - glad you enjoyed it. We’ve seen them a couple of times including at the Barbican a few years back and they were thrilling. TBH I was disappointed in the new album anyway. For me the volume was actually OK but there was too much reverb on the piano.
Both the conductor and Ryan Wang were expressive. Mother Goose and Mandarin had surtitles. I think I’d have preferred just the music for the Bartók to be honest.
A thrilling afternoon of music out of the rain. Preceded by Ravel, Gaspard de la Nuit and Jeux d’eau played by two Birmingham Conservatoire students.
Astonished that Ryan Wang is 17, he played Rachmaninov as an encore.
Sunflower Bean, supporting Wolf Alice The Clearing Tour, Leeds FD Arena. A last minute decision to make a “billy-no-mates” trip to Leeds after finding an end of row resale ticket.
The Sunflower Bean are a very gutsy indie rock band from the New York.. great performance and very well suited support for Wolf Alice. As I type I’m enjoying their latest album, Mortal Primetime. It looks like they are playing in Manchester on Thursday.. very tempting..
Wolf Alice - amazing! All in all a great evening and a very worthwhile trip across the Pennines..
