BBC Proms: Arditti Quartet, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Fischer | reviews, news & interviews
BBC Proms: Arditti Quartet, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Fischer
BBC Proms: Arditti Quartet, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Fischer
A dynamic and pretty weird Franco-Russian evening
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Conductor Thierry Fischer began the evening flamboyantly and thrillingly
One of the weirdest things about the Proms's "weird concerto" theme is that the concertos so far haven't been all that weird. Piano. Violin. Cello and violin. Cello, piano and violin. Pretty familiar stuff. Finally last night we got something bona fide off the wall: a concerto for string quartet from French rebel Pascal Dusapin. Was it weird enough?
One of the weirdest things about the Proms's "weird concerto" theme is that the concertos so far haven't been all that weird. Piano. Violin. Cello and violin. Cello, piano and violin. Pretty familiar stuff. Finally last night we got something bona fide off the wall: a concerto for string quartet from French rebel Pascal Dusapin. Was it weird enough?
Explore topics
Share this article
more Classical music
Grosvenor, Park, Ridout, Soltani, Wigmore Hall review - chamber music supergroup in perfect accord
Thoughtful programming puts quirky novelty alongside big beasts
Dariescu, BBC Philharmonic, Storgårds, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - sounds of unquenchable optimism
Conductor is his own violin soloist in one of two UK premieres
MacMillan's Christmas Oratorio, Lois, Williams, RSNO, MacMillan, Usher Hall, Edinburgh – a great composer at the top of his game
Scottish premiere of a recent masterwork
Louise Alder & Friends, Wigmore Hall review - magic carpet rides with soprano, strings and woodwind
Levitational joy in an all-French programme, with modified rapture over two arrangements
Aurora Orchestra, Kings Place review - experimental work in an immersive setting
A conceptually elegant evening that transported you to a different dimension
Morison, Immler, BBCSO, Bychkov, Barbican review - a Kafka journey and a mighty landmark
Multi-tasking maestro shines with new songs and old forms
Classical CDs: Microphones, mazurkas and mad scenes
Piano concertos, operatic intermezzi and a striking collection of songs
Grosvenor, SCO, Emelyanychev, Usher Hall, Edinburgh review - lightness of touch and a sprinkling of humour
Romantic music played with period style, and the pianist finds the wit in Mendelssohn
Hallé, Elder, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - championing the rich and rare
Solo qualities and thunderous climaxes in Rossini’s 'Stabat Mater'
Accentus, Insula orchestra, Equilbey, Barbican review - radiant French choral masterpieces
A familiar warhorse alongside a neglected curiosity
Classical CDs: Drawing rooms, timpani strokes and domestic fiddling
Vintage recording techniques, partsongs and Soviet orchestral music
Selaocoe, Schimpelsberger, LSO, Ward, Barbican review - force of nature crowns dance jamboree
Cellist, composer and singer is one in a million – and the whole programme zings
Add comment