What the classical world has been listening to this month
Kathryn Stott Pianist
I’ve recently given two of my students Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances to learn, and thought I would remind myself of the original version with the composer conducting. There’s a performance available on CD, but I went to YouTube to find him conducting the Israel Philharmonic. Watching his expressions simply added to the drama and heartache of this incredible score. To write music that was conceived to set scenes for actors and vocalists, and then to remove all those elements and let the music stand alone, is nothing short of genius. Lenny was visibly moved at the end; I was in a heap.
Not too long ago, I went to hear the Hallé perform works including Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. I’m not sure I’ve actually heard it in concert before, but what an absolutely fizzing treat this was! Beethoven’s sheer energy astounds me more and more, whether he’s creating a dark and mysterious opening mood, or an overflowing, joyful ebullience. In a world full of anxiety and sadness, it can take a lot to be swept along by music that is simply happy. Conductor Anja Bihlmaier drove the orchestra at breakneck speed and it was thrilling.
One of my favourite pianists is Marianna Shirinyan, and I’ve been listening to her recording of Chopin’s Ballades and Scherzos since its release a few months ago. This is a revelatory interpretation, completely fresh, as if the ink were still wet on the page. Wonderful!
And also…
I’m often asked what I listen to when I’m out and about walking Archie, my working cocker spaniel. The answer? Nature. This is the soundtrack that keeps me related to the land and to reality.
Kathryn Stott joins Manchester Collective at Kings Place, London on 2 December
Michael Berkeley
Composer and Radio 3 presenter I enjoyed Nicholas Daniel and Huw Watkins at Wigmore Hall recently, not just because they were playing a piece of mine, which they did very beautifully, but because Nicholas must be about the best oboist in the world. The Mozart (Sonata, K376) was just full of the humour that the composer would have loved.
A recent ENO production of Peter Grimes at the Coliseum was also enormously enjoyable. I’ve been steeped in Britten, one way or another, from childhood, and it was just wonderful to hear that music done with such verve and strength by the ENO orches
