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Articles by Chris Kettle
Thrilling music of many colours from Chineke! at the Queen Elizabeth Hall
United Kingdom Coleman, Osman, Ravel, Roustom, The Ayoub Sisters: Axelle Fanyo (soprano), Armand Djikoloum (oboe), Chineke! Orchestra / Fawzi Hamor (conductor). Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 11.10.2026.
A diverting programme from Leon Bosch and I Musicanti at the Turner Sims
United Kingdom Beethoven, Cramer, Schubert: Peter Donohoe (piano), Leon Bosch (double bass), I Musicanti. Turner Sims, Southampton, 8.10.2026.
Rachmaninov’s dark magnificence superbly revealed by the Bournemouth SO in Poole
United Kingdom Rimsky-Korsakov, Saint-Saëns, Rachmaninov: Javier Perianes (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Chloé Van Soeterstède (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 7.10.2026.
Beethoven for our time and Wagner for the ages: a thrilling start to the BSO’s season in Poole
United Kingdom Adventurous Journeys – Beethoven, Wagner: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 30.9.2026.
Musical riches at Laura Rickard’s Romsey Chamber Music Winterfest
United Kingdom Romsey Chamber Music Winterfest – Various: Goethe String Quartet (Luke Hsu, Laura Rickard [violins], Marthe Husum [viola], Rainer Crosett [cello]). United Reformed Church, Romsey, 23 & 25.1.2026.
Beauty and the Beasts: a thrilling Russian Night from Vladimir Jurowski and the LPO
United Kingdom Mosolov, Rachmaninov, Korsun, Prokofiev: Anna Vinnitskaya (piano), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 21.1.2026.
Beating the January blues: Spanish Night with Ludovic Morlot and the BSO in Poole
United Kingdom Viva España – Turina, de Falla, Debussy, Ravel: Steven Osborne (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Ludovic Morlot (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 14.1.2026. (CK) Ludovic Morlot conducting the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Turina – Danzas Fantásticas de Falla – Nights in the Gardens of Spain Debussy – Iberia Ravel – Boléro Fed up of English winter, tired of a cold, dark and wet January?
Elizabeth Watts lights up Bristol Beacon with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
United Kingdom Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, Franz Lehár: Elizabeth Watts (soprano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 3.1.2026.
Superb Vaughan Williams crowns a stimulating concert of British music from Pappano and the LSO in Bristol
United Kingdom Musgrave, Walton, Vaughan Williams: Antoine Tamestit (viola), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 13.12.2025. (CK) Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, violist Antoine Tamestit and the LSO © Soul Media Musgrave – Phoenix Rising Walton – Viola Concerto Vaughan Williams – Symphony No.2: A London Symphony Thea Musgrave is 97 years young: snapping at the heels of Dick van Dyke and Sir David Attenborough.
Manfred Honeck’s Chicago visit offers a living, breathing setting for Mozart’s Requiem
United States Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart: Jeanine De Bique (soprano), Avery Amereau (mezzo-soprano), Ben Bliss (tenor), Stephano Park (bass), Chicago Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Manfred Honeck (conductor). Orchestra Hall, Chicago, 23.11.2025.
A dazzling Adams Harmonium from Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra and choruses
United Kingdom Beethoven, John Adams: James Ehnes (violin), London Philharmonic Choir (chorus director: Madeleine Venner), BBC Symphony Chorus (chorus director: Neil Ferris), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 8.11.2025. (CK) Beethoven – Violin Concerto Adams – Harmonium What can I usefully write about the greatest of all violin concertos played by a prince among violinists?
Fireworks at Bristol Beacon from Berlioz, Jess Gillam and the Bournemouth SO
United Kingdom Wagner, Howard, Berlioz: Jess Gillam (saxophone), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 6.11.2025.
Fine Mozart, epic Tchaikovsky: a memorable Poole night from Thierry Fischer and the Bournemouth SO
United Kingdom Mozart, Tchaikovsky: Paul Lewis (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Thierry Fischer (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 29.10.2025.
The Mayflower Ensemble: lunchtime bliss in Winchester Cathedral
United Kingdom Gipps, Coleridge-Taylor: Mayflower Ensemble (Liz Peller, Catherine Lawlor [violins], Ruth McGibbon [viola], Nicola Heinrich [cello], Alison Hughes [clarinet]). Winchester Cathedral, 14.10.2025.
Delicacy and decibels: a fine Leningrad Symphony from Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO
United Kingdom Liadov, Shostakovich: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 16.10.2025. (CK) Liadov – Baba Yaga Shostakovich – Symphony No.7, ‘Leningrad’ I first encountered Shostakovich’s colossal Leningrad Symphony in what was then the Colston Hall, in January 1974, performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and their Chief Conductor Paavo Berglund (seated: I think he was recovering from an accident).
Magnificent Zemlinsky from Mark Wigglesworth, superb soloists and a fired-up Bournemouth SO
United Kingdom Schubert, Zemlinsky: Claudia Boyle (soprano), Roderick Williams (baritone), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 8.10.2025.
An unforgettable The Turn of the Screw closes the Cumbria Opera Festival
United Kingdom Britten, The Turn of the Screw: Soloists, Jessica Meakin, Julian Cann (violins), Kim Becker (viola), Daniel Crompton (cello), Richard English (double bass), Richard Allen (harp), Hannah Gillingham (flute/alto flute/piccolo), Mana Shibata (oboe/cor anglais), William Hammond (clarinet/bass clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Chris Howlings (French horn), Alex Norton (piano/celesta), Stephen Burke (percussion) / Joe Davies (conductor). Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands, 30.8.2025.
Porgy and Bess Reimagined: outstanding Gershwin at the Cumbria Opera Festival
United Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [3] – Gershwin, Porgy and Bess Reimagined: Venetia Iga (alto), Michael Muoneke (tenor), Kezia Abouma (piano), Nathan Dawkins (double bass), Noah Ojumu (drums), Joe Davies, Alistair Burton (arrangers). Kendal Town Hall, 27.8.2025.
Cumbria Opera Festival’s Opera by Candlelight showcases young local talent alongside established classics
United Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [2] – Various, Opera by Candlelight: Ellen Mawhinney (soprano), Jamie Formoy (tenor), Chris Pulleyn (piano). St John’s Church, Keswick, 26.8.2025. (CK) This fine trio of musicians were performing for the third night on the trot: they had entertained a packed Public Hall in Appleby the previous night, and Barrow Town Hall the night before that.
A sparkling The Marriage of Figaro from the Cumbria Opera Festival 2025
United Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 – Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro: Soloists, Chorus; Jessica Meakin, Julian Cann (violins), Hannah Borlase (viola), Daniel Crompton (cello), Hannah Gillingham (flute), Sarah Davies (oboe), William Hammond (clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Alistair Burton (harpsichord continuo) / Melvin Tay (conductor). Penrith Methodist Church, 23.8.2025.
Modified rapture: Delius’s A Mass of Life at the BBC Proms
United Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [17] – Delius: Jennifer Davis (soprano), Claudia Huckle (mezzo-soprano), David Butt Philip (tenor), Roderick Williams (baritone), BBC Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sir Mark Elder (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 18.8.2025. (CK) Delius – A Mass of Life Let no one say the BBC is not generous.
Enigmatic Boulez, dramatic early Mahler at the BBC Proms
United Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [10] – Boulez, Mahler: Natalya Romaniw (soprano), Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Russell Thomas (tenor), James Newby (baritone), Carlos González Nápoles (treble), Malakai Bayoh (alto), Constanza Chorus, BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra / Hannu Lintu (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 4.8.2025. (CK) Boulez – Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna Mahler – Das klagende Lied Boulez’s Rituel is perhaps his least typical work, and perhaps the most often performed.
Beauty and Beachy Head: new music inspired by the South Downs from the Orchestra of Sound and Light
United Kingdom Various: Loré Lixenberg (voice), Helen Whitaker (flute), Alison Hughes (clarinet & bass clarinet), Rachel Fryer (keyboards), Lee Westwood (electric guitar), Joe Giddey (cello), Ed Hughes (director). Towner Gallery, Eastbourne, 13.7.2025.
Excitement and emotion from Nicholas McCarthy and Mark Wigglesworth’s BSO at the Proms
United Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [1] – Shostakovich, Ravel, Walton: Nicholas McCarthy (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 20.7.2025. (CK) Shostakovich – Suite for Variety Orchestra (arr.
A thrilling Tchaikovsky Fourth from Vasily Petrenko and the RPO
United Kingdom Howell, Price, Tchaikovsky: Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 25.6.2025.
Bach and Shostakovich powerfully paired by Chloё Hanslip and Danny Driver at the Turner Sims
United Kingdom Bach, Shostakovich: Chloё Hanslip (violin), Danny Driver (piano). Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, 10.6.2025. (CK) Bach – Sonata for Violin & Keyboard in E, BWV1016; Sonata for Violin & Keyboard in A, BWV 1015 Shostakovich – Twenty-Four Preludes, Op.34 (selection, arr.
RCMF 2025: An epic week comes to an end
United Kingdom Romsey Chamber Music Festival 2025 [4] – Various: Romsey URC Church, 7-8.6.2025. (CK) RCMF’s final weekend brought more plums.
More kudos for Laura Rickard and her RCMF 2025 concert planning
United Kingdom Romsey Chamber Music Festival 2025 [3] – Various: Romsey URC Church, 6.6.2025.
Luke Hsu tackles a violin players’ Everest, plus magnificent Bridge, Debussy and Schubert at RCMF 2025
United Kingdom Romsey Chamber Music Festival 2025 – Various: Romsey Abbey, St Leonard’s Church, Sherfield English, Romsey URC Church, 3-5.6.2025. (CK) Paganini – 24 Caprices (Luke Hsu [violin]) Recently a friend of mine bagged his final Munro, completing the ascent of all 282 mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet. Fitting it all into a busy life, it has taken him 45 years and 2 days.
An unforgettable evening in Romsey Abbey as the Chamber Music Festival returns
United Kingdom Romsey Chamber Music Festival 2025 – Schubert, Adès, Barber, Ravel, Bryars: String players of the Romsey Chamber Music Festival. Romsey Abbey, 31.5.2025. (CK) Schubert – Erlkönig (arr. for strings) Adès – O Albion (from Arcadiana) Barber – Adagio for Strings Ravel – La valse (arr.
A mixed but entertaining bag from Cordelia Williams and the Maxwell Quartet at the Turner Sims
United Kingdom Maxwell Davies, R. Schubert, Pärt, Schumann, Folk Songs: Cordelia Williams (piano), Maxwell Quartet (Colin Scobie, George Smith [violins], Elliott Perks [viola], Duncan Strachan [cello]). Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, 15.5.2025. (CK) Maxwell Davies – Farewell to Stromness Schubert – Notturno in E-flat Pärt – Fratres R.
A sonic spectacular to end the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Poole season
United Kingdom Bernstein, Gershwin, Walton: Steven Osborne (piano), Andrew Hamilton (baritone), Bournemouth Symphony Chorus (Assistant Chorus director: Sam Hanson), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / David Hill (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 14.5.2025.
Astonishing Britten from Clara-Jumi Kang and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Poole
United Kingdom Wagner, Britten, Brahms: Clara-Jumi Kang (violin), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 7.5.2025. (CK) Wagner – Lohengrin, Prelude to Act I Britten – Violin Concerto Brahms – Symphony No.4 Is there an opera that opens as radiantly as Lohengrin?
The quiet mastery of Sean Shibe at Turner Sims
United Kingdom Various: Sean Shibe (guitar). Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, 3.5.2025.
The Turner Sims at 50: Paul Lewis contributes memorably to the celebrations
United Kingdom Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Schubert: Paul Lewis (piano). Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, 22.4.2025.
A rainbow of colours from Alexandre Bloch and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Poole
United Kingdom Debussy, Berlioz, Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel): Lise Berthaud (viola), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Alexandre Bloch (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 9.4.2025. (CK) Debussy – Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Berlioz – Harold in Italy Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) – Pictures at an Exhibition I have often noticed that French and Russian composers make good bedfellows in a concert programme.
Colin Currie’s mesmerising display in Tan Dun’s Water Concerto with the LPO
United Kingdom Pärt, Tan Dun, Lutoslawski: Colin Currie (water percussion), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Hannu Lintu (conductor). Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 29.3.2025.
A Fairy Tale return: Kirill Karabits reunited with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
United Kingdom Mozart, Trojan, de Hartmann, Tchaikovsky – Fairytales and Folklore: Ksenija Sidorova (accordion), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Kirill Karabits (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 26.3.2025.
At sea with the LPO: an inspiring and appropriately immersive FUNharmonics Family Concert
United Kingdom Various: Lucy Hollins (presenter), London Philharmonic Orchestra / Juya Shin (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 23.3.2025. (CK) Poulenc – Marche Lucy Hollins (arr. Dickman) – Deep Down Under the Sea René Aubry – The Snail and the Whale (live with film) Britten – Irish Reel If you went down to the Southbank last Sunday morning, you were in for a big surprise. The Royal Festival Hall was buzzing.
Chloё Hanslip and Danny Driver boldly take us to Bach and Beyond at Turner Sims
United Kingdom Bach, Ysaÿe, Franck – ‘Bach and Beyond’: Chloё Hanslip (violin), Danny Driver (piano). Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, 21.3.2025.
A trio of glittering performances from Dalia Stasevska and the BBC Symphony Orchestra
United Kingdom Bartók, Ravel, Janáček: Robin Tritschler (tenor), Miklós Sebestyén (bass-baritone), Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), BBC Symphony Chorus (director: Neil Ferris), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Dalia Stasevska (conductor). Barbican Hall, London, 12.3.2025. (CK) Bartók – Cantata Profana Ravel – Piano Concerto for the Left Hand Janáček – Sinfonietta Three things drew me to this concert by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Mahler’s Seventh from the Oxford Millennium Orchestra: work in progress
United Kingdom Mahler: Oxford Millennium Orchestra / Joe Davies (conductor). Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, 7.3.2025. (CK) Mahler – Symphony No.7 Mahler’s Seventh Symphony is one of the most complex works in the repertoire (Bernard Haitink’s words, not mine). It has also caused a lot of critical fuss – formal failure, Mahler’s problem symphony, etc. I sometimes think that if Mahler had anticipated his disciple Schoenberg and called it Five Pieces for Orchestra it would have saved a lot of trouble.
An epic Shostakovich Marathon in Southampton, in aid of Cancer Research
United Kingdom Shostakovich: Jinah Shim, Keelan Carew, Paul Ingram (piano), Mark Cox (trumpet), Austin Lam (cello), Orchestra / Craig Lawton and Paul Ingram (conductors). Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, 2.3.2025.
Sir Stephen Hough’s sparkling Piano Concerto sits comfortably between the BSO’s Brahms and Elgar
United Kingdom Brahms, Hough, Elgar: Sir Stephen Hough (piano), Walter van Dyk (speaker), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mark Wigglesworth (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 27.2.2025. (CK) Brahms – Symphony No.3 Hough – Piano Concerto (The World of Yesterday) Elgar – Enigma Variations (narrated) In my salad days, when I was green in judgement, Mahler was the sun, Bruckner was a mysterious nebula, avant-gardistes like Harry and Max were shooting stars, and Brahms was nowhere.
Stirring Nordic brew from Gergely Madaras and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Poole
United Kingdom Vasks, Grieg, Sibelius: Louis Schwizgebel (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Gergely Madaras (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 19.2.2025.
Autumnal Walton and rejuvenating Mahler from Pappano and the LSO at Bristol Beacon
United Kingdom Walton, Mahler: Rebecca Gilliver (cello), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Bristol Beacon, 13.2.2025. (CK) Walton – Cello Concerto Mahler – Symphony No.1 It was a pleasure to return to Bristol Beacon after my first visit last November, and to admire its rebirth as a magnificent and welcoming hall, with light and spacious public spaces and a real sense of occasion.
A compelling and memorable Winterreise in Salisbury from Sam Poppleton and Harry Sever
United Kingdom Schubert: Sam Poppleton (baritone), Harry Sever (piano). St. Martin’s Church, Salisbury, 8.2.2025. (CK) Schubert – Winterreise Schubert’s Winterreise. Ian Bostridge called it the first and greatest of concept albums (almost a century-and-a-half ahead of Sergeant Pepper). Of course, when you perform it live you have to do it in a single 75-minute take.
Challenging music projected with complete conviction by the Jarualda Quartet in Shrewsbury
United Kingdom Beethoven, Britten, Ravel: Jarualda Quartet (Alex Postlethwaite, David Joyce [violin], Jane Park [viola], Ruth Henley [cello]). Gateway Arts Centre, Shrewsbury, 6.2.2025.
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra pulls off an interesting musical mix in Poole
United Kingdom Shostakovich, Mozart, Stravinsky: Elisabeth Brauss (piano), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Mihhail Gerts (conductor). Lighthouse, Poole, 29.1.2025. (CK) Shostakovich (arr. Barshai) – Chamber Symphony Mozart – Piano Concerto No.9, K.271 Stravinsky – Petrushka (1947) I am always impressed when a substitute conductor takes on a mixed concert programme unchanged.
Music-making of outstanding sensitivity and power from Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic
United Kingdom Berg, Beethoven, Stravinsky: Boris Giltburg (piano), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 26.1.2025. (CK) Berg – Three Pieces for Orchestra, Op.6 Beethoven – Piano Concerto No.5, ‘Emperor’ Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring This impressive Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Sunday afternoon concert rested on two mighty pillars, both dating from immediately before the First World War.
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