Its patriotic songs ignited a culture war last year. Is it time to rethink the Proms’ closing concert? A panel of leading musical figures suggest some alternative ways of approaching the contentious eveningThe Last Night of the Proms is a fantastic opp…
Proms Festival Orchestra/ Wigglesworth review – jubilant one-off
Royal Albert Hall, LondonA jubilant and light-on-its-feet performance of Mahler’s monumental 5th symphony made this Prom an emotionally charged occasion‘There won’t be a dry eye anywhere, certainly not on stage,” said one of the musicians before this, …
The arts have had it tough, but critics need to take off the kid gloves
Mediocre productions have been rewarded with glowing reviews during the pandemic. It’s time to be a little less gentleSeen anything good lately? It is a common bit of small-talk, but often a reliable way to find the next play or film worth watching. Th…
Shibe/Giunta/Walker; ASMF/Bell review – Piazzolla up close and personal
Cadogan Hall; Royal Albert Hall, LondonTwo proms celebrated the rich music of Astor Piazzolla in contrasting but illuminating waysThe centenary of Astor Piazzolla’s birth falls this year, an anniversary marked by a pair of Proms, notably different in t…