Nicolas is very good, saw him talk and play at his Charlie Mingus tribute at The Guildford Institute last year. He has several similar “talks” planned for 2026 including a John Coltrane.
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Already booked for the John Coltrane event. Maybe see you there?
It is recorded and in the can, afaik.
An idea was floated a couple of years ago, that the close friends and followers of the band could invest, as it were, a sum that would help the pressing and sleeve costs…despite some of us being very keen, it kinda died out. Shame.
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They look interesting - I’ll look em up.
Tonight (just got in)
Boris Godunov at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
No pics obviously, apart from the stage curtain before the performance. The spinning top being the toy that Dimitri played with, before he was murdered.
Bryn Terfel was excellent in the title role. Orchestra was great too, as were the massed chorus.
Opera Locos soon at Sadler Wells Peacock Theatre. Should be a lot of fun (arias and pop meet in a semi-Rocky Horror kinda vibe).
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I politely ask at least a major city or region be mentioned on this thread? I travel the world for work and am always on the lookout for interesting venues. Not so helpful if I mention “we saw the Lonely Pebbles at the Pigeon and Snail” Its called the WWW for a reason 
Cheers
Martin
Vivaldi - Le Concert spirituel + Hervé Niquet
Program
Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus;
Laetatus sum;
Domine ad adiuvandum me festina; Psalm 147
Lauda Jerusalem in e;
Magnificat in g;
Gloria in D
I have their CD and familiar with the work but this was the first time I actually listen to Vivaldi program live. Oh wow. It was so beautiful and those singers were powerful but effortless. I love the warmth of period instruments and conductor Niquet made sure all the musicians were together. Love the cello solo with Theorbo and Lute. I certainly can’t fault for the hall acoustics. A huge respect for Vivaldi. He’s so much more than Four Seasons!
At Tivolivredenburg Utrecht
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I couldn’t agree more. Users of this forum live in all parts of the world.
I have the same view of the ‘Nice Photos’ thread. It’s not very helpful if a photo has no information on location. Remarks like ‘in my area’ are no help, especially if the poster’s profile is sparse or entirely absent.
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Schubert Winterreise
Performers
-
Allan Clayton tenor
-
Paul Lewis piano
Winterreise is a collection of powerful songs about human dispear. It remains as my no. 1 listening in winter. Colder and desolate, the better. I guess misery loves company.
We saw Lewis’ disasterous Beethoven PC5 2 wks ago at Tivolivredenburg. This time the venue is a Recital Hall ( Kleine Zaal ) at the Concertgewbouw.
Tenor Allan Clayton is completley unknown to me. Well, this was the most aggressive Wagnerian Winterreise I have ever heard. The hero in the songs start out with such and anger rather than a feeling of resignation. Tho I love his expressive style he was so loud in the first half he had to stop at the middle telling that his voice was gone. So he had to take a rest a bit and came back and decided to continue. The back half was wonderful. He was more careful in volume which I thought was just perfect.
Now for the piano. I dunno maybe Lewis lost it? I did not hear any subtle phrasing through the duration. He was ok in angry bits but I was not truly convinced.
Audience was quiet through the performance but about 20min. in the first half there was a subtle high pitched noise from someone’s hearing aid. Thank god it stopped but it went on too long.
Yes indeed, I would have booked all of his gigs this year but unfortunately they clashed with other “events”. I guess there won’t be that many people there so shall we sort out introductions on the day?
Chris
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@ChrisG Sure. I doubt there will be more than 20 in the audience. Good chance we will have already spoken at a previous gig there.
A great fun evening spent last night at the RCM in South Kensington. Georgina Harrison directed an evening of jazz to celebrate Quincy Jones.
Highlights for me were Muttnik and Robot Portrait.
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The fabulous Katherine Priddy at a very intimate gig in Wax and Beans, Bury
New album due early March!
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Most recent concert I attended was last Wednesday in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam: Bruckner 8, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, with Klaus Mäkelä conducting. Fabulous.
Just seen Andy Fairweather Low and the low riders at Bury st Edmunds Apex theatre. Great gig with a wide selection of music from classic Chris Barber jazz to his hits from Amen corner and solo albums. Had never really noticed before he did not use a guitar plectrum at all whether acoustic or electric. Some very nice guitar, vocals and great backing band. Doing pretty good at 77 years old.
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Solo piano set from Kelly Moran at Cafe Oto in London this evening. A mixture of her own work and pieces by Philip Glass, Richard D James (Aphex Twin), Ryuichi Sakamoto amongst others. Brilliant support from Lucinda Chua who joined Kelly at the end for a tremendous version of Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence
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The mighty Underworld at Brixton Academy, London this evening. The last night of a 3 night residency to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of Born Slippy. Incredible show with superb lighting ( and the usual muddy sound at Brixton)
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Bach B Minor Mass
Performers
CvA Chamber Choir + Sweelinck Baroque Orchestra
Maria van Nieukerken: conductor
Nice sunny Sunday program at Musicgebouw Amsterdam.
These players are made up of non professional students. Beautifully performed with period instruments and the band had a very organic feel and that the conductor let the musicians a lot more freedom. The last time I got to listen this program was back in Chicago with CSO and Muti conducting. It was a 180° difference in direction. I enjoy this program more and more. None of the recordings own even come close to the live experience.
Benjamin Grosvenor: Beethoven's Mondschein Sonata & Schumann
Program
* Beethoven Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2 'Mondschein'-
Schumann
Fantasy in C, Op. 17 -
Scriabin
Sonata No. 2 in G sharp, Op. 19 ‘Sonata fantasy’ -
Ravel
Gaspard de la nuit
Last week at Concertgebouw Recital Hall
I kept missing his appearance in Chicago but finally got to hear him play live. I see he gained a bit of weight at 33.
Piano sounded great and his Beethoven Piano Sonata I enjoyed it very much to my surprise. It was a power with finesse. Just a perfect blend for me. Schumann’s Fantasy was a bit of surprised as he played strong with a mascular touch. This is a difficult piece and once again I realised how ginius Schumann was. I think this is the piece showed his inner manic himself.
Then chronologically moving up to Scrianbin. I did not know at all this piece so I have to explore more. I thought this was the same one Horowitz played but it was not.
Then finally Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit. Very different playing from my fave Martha. Missing is a bit of playfulness and chip on his shoulder. It felt a bit too heavy for me but there’s nothing I can fault for his set. All’n’ll it was very enjoyable.
At Recital Hall at Concertgebouw.
