CLASSICAL NOTES with Nick Boston

REVIEWS

There have been a crop of recordings coming out of musicians’ exploits during lockdown, and violinist Sara Trickey is a strong addition to the field. Trickey posted weekly videos of solo violin music via YouTube, and as well as bringing her performances to new audiences, she enjoyed the communication from listeners too.

As the world returns to some sort of normality of performance, that intimacy of connection is something many performers are now missing. Trickey has recorded a range of repertoire here from those weekly videos, the majority being contemporary works, with several world première recordings and a number of compositions specifically written for her.

Music by Albéniz, Telemann and Prokofiev is joined by works by Norwegian composer Bjarne Brustad (1895-1978), Sally Beamish (b.1956), James Francis Brown (b.1969) and Errollyn Wallen (b.1958). David Matthew’s (b.1943) lyrical Prelude no. 12, Lyell Creswell’s (1944-2022) moving Lento contrast with Aleksey Igudesman’s (b.1973) energetically insistent Applemania – a fitting celebration perhaps of an end to lockdown. Overall, this is a fascinating survey of varied solo violin repertoire, and speaks of intense commitment and a desire to communicate, as well as clear virtuosic command from Trickey.

Pianist Louis Lortie has reached Volume 7 of his Chopin survey, and this volume contains a good spread of the Mazurkas, perhaps the quirkiest genre of Chopin’s (1810-1849) output. Four sets are joined by the delightful Rondo à la Mazur, Op. 5, the bouncing Boléro, Op. 19, a virtuosic playful Rondo, Op. 16 and a swirling Tarantelle, Op. 43. The Héroïque Polonaise, Op. 53 carries suitable weight, but Lortie avoids overegging the pudding, maintaining a sense of dance amidst the heft. Another great volume in this strong survey.

PREVIEWS

The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) open their season with a strong American programme, conducted by Sian Edwards, beginning with Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and his Appalachian Spring Suite.

The programme also includes Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, with Joanna MacGregor (piano) (2.45pm, Sunday, October 2, Brighton Dome). Check out more on the BPO’s new season here.

Karina CanEllakis (credit: Eduardus Lee)

The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karina Canellakis, perform Beethoven’sEroica Symphony, and Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, with Augustin Hadelich (violin) (7.30pm, Saturday, October 22, Brighton Dome). Tickets HERE

Ana de la Vega. (Pic credit: Andy Baker)

The London Philharmonic Orchestra also visit Eastbourne to play Schubert, Beethoven and Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1, with Ana de la Vega (flute), all conducted by Gábor Káli (3pm, Sunday, October 20, Congress Theatre).

The Quatuor Agate play Boccherini, Bartók & Brahms (11am, Sunday, October, 16, ACCA). Tickets HERE

The Worthing Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Gibbons, perform Grieg, Vaughan Williams, Strauss and Alwyn’s Autumn Legend, with Olivia Fraser (cor anglais) (2.45pm, Sunday, October 2, Assembly Hall, Worthing). Tickets HERE

Brighton Early Music Festival returns in October, with Music for St Michael from BREMF Consort of Music, including music by Josquin, Palestrina, Taverner and , October 2 (7.30pm, Saturday, October 2, St Martin’s Church, Brighton). Then later in the month you can hear Ensemble Hesperi performing Musing from the 18^th Century Highlands (8pm, Wednesday, October 19, St Martin’s Church, Brighton).

There’s a Masterclass for Young Singers with Michele Pasotti and Alena Dantcheva from La Fonte Musica (8pm, Thursday, October 20, St George’s Church, Brighton), and the two masters perform music by Sigismondo d’India the next night (8pm, Friday, October 21, St George’s Church, Brighton). This year’s BREMF Live! ensembles showcase their stuff in the afternoon (3pm, Saturday, October 22, St George’s Church, Brighton) and at a club night show (9pm, The Rose Hill).

Spiritato and the Marian Consort perform cantatas by Pachelbel, Knüpfer, Buxtehude and J C & J S Bach (7.30pm, Saturday, October 22, St Martin’s, St Martin’s Church, Brighton), and the festival closes with exquisite French music in Les Lullistes contre les Ramoneurs! from Ensemble Molière (7.30pm, Sunday, October 23, St Martin’s Church, Brighton)

Tickets HERE