music classical theatre film blog newsletter search: features opera concerts BBC proms recordings classical blog latest concert reviews LSO/Boulez @ Barbican Hall, London A second collaboration between Boulez and the LSO lends white-hot intensity to Bartok, Schoenberg and Matthias Pintscher. Prometeo @ Royal Festival Hall, London Luigi Nono's 1984 work finally receives its UK Premiere as the climax of the South Bank's Fragments of Venice Nono festival. more concert reviews Matthew Schellhorn @ Wigmore Hall, London The pianist performs a wide range of works, from Rameau to a world premiere by Ian Wilson, on a warm evening in May. Trio con Brio Copenhagen @ Wigmore Hall, London The chamber group perform trios by Beethoven, Shostakovich and Ravel, plus an exciting new work by Bent Sorenson. LSO/Boulez @ Barbican Hall, London Pierre Boulez delights a packed audience with his own orchestral Notations and works by Bartok, Stravinsky and Schoenberg. London Sinfonietta @ Royal Festival Hall, London The World Premiere of Thomas Ades' In Seven Days performed alongside Steve Reich's classic work Music for 18 Musicians. Verdi's Requiem @ Royal Festival Hall, London Vladimir Jurowski conducts the LPO in Verdi's Requiem Mass, with Barbara Frittoli and Massimo Giordano as soloists. Mackerras/Philharmonia @ Royal Festival Hall, London Solveig Kringelborn is the soloist for the Four Last Songs, performed with Strauss' Don Juan and Beethoven's Eroica. Green and Pleasant Land @ Cadogan Hall, London The work of Ralph Vaughan Williams' is celebrated by Paul Daniel and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Winterreise @ Wigmore Hall, London Mezzo-soprano Alice Coote gives an idiosyncratic interpretation of Schubert's great song cycle accompanied by Julius Drake. Mackerras/Philharmonia @ Royal Festival Hall, London Charles Mackerras conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in Beethoven, Strauss and Schumann. Missa Solemnis @ Barbican Hall, London Mark Forgen conducts the English Chamber Orchestra and several choirs in Beethoven's spiritual masterpiece. Handel's Messiah @ Royal Festival Hall, London Easter-time Handel with Laurence Cummings directing the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Florilegium @ Wigmore Hall, London Soprano Lucy Crowe joins the early music ensemble for chamber works by Telemann, Handel, and a trio of Bachs. Nash Ensemble @ Wigmore Hall, London A programme of new and recent works by Birtwistle, Turnage, Goehr, C Matthews and MacMillan, with soprano Claire Booth. LSO/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London Valery Gergiev conducts Mahler's difficult Seventh Symphony and Schoenberg's First Chamber Symphony. BRSO/Jansons @ Royal Festival Hall, London Mariss Jansons conducts the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra thrillingly in "bleeding chunks" of Wagner. LPO/Jurowski @ Royal Festival Hall, London Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic in Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony and Ravel. Warsaw Philharmonic @ Cadogan Hall, London Antoni Wit conducts Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, in a rare London visit from the orchestra. LSO/Termikanov @ Barbican Hall, London Yuri Temirkanov conducts Shostakovich's Thirteenth Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sergei Leiferkus. RPO/Handley @ Cadogan Hall, London Vernon Handley conducts Vaughan Williams' bleak Pastoral Symphony with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Kate Royal @ Wigmore Hall, London The soprano gives a recital of song by Brahms, Debussy, Poulenc and Strauss, accompanied by Roger Vignoles. LSO/Petrenko @ Barbican Hall, London Vasily Petrenko conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Rachmaninov, and Shostakovich's Fifteenth Symphony. London Symphony Orchestra @ Barbican Hall, London Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Janacek's Glagolitic Mass, and Dvorák’s jubilant, chirpy Eighth Symphony. Philharmonia Orchestra @ Royal Festival Hall, London Esa-Pekka Salonen leads a fresh, shocking and thrilling performance of Stravinsky's masterpiece The Rite of Spring. Susan Graham @ Wigmore Hall, London The singer presents a generous programme of mélodies in her recital, accompanied on the piano by Malcolm Martineau. LMP/Kovacevich @ Cadogan Hall, London The London Mozart Players, under Stephen Kovacevich, perform Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. London Symphony Orchestra @ Barbican Hall, London John Eliot Gardiner conducts Beethoven's Eroica symphony, with the London Symphony Orchestra. Philharmonia/Salonen @ Royal Festival Hall, London The Royal Festival Hall bursts with colour, as Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts Messiaen's Turangalîla-symphonie. LPO/Jurowski @ Royal Festival Hall, London Vladimir Jurowski conducts the orchestra in Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony, while Christian Tetzlaff performs Brahms. Basel Chamber Orchestra @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London Sarah Connolly sings Berlioz's Les nuits d’été, while the Swiss orchestra play Mendelssohn and Sibelius under Paul McCreesh. LPO/Jurowski @ Royal Festival Hall, London Vladimir Jurowski conducts the orchestra in Prokofiev, Turnage and Ravel, with Benedetto Lupo the piano soloist. English Chamber Orchestra @ Cadogan Hall, London Paul Watkins conducts the ensemble in Shostakovich and Haydn, with Alison Balsom the trumpet soloist. Christopher Maltman @ Wigmore Hall, London Accompanied by Malcolm Martineau, the baritone delivers an exciting programme of songs by Poulenc and Britten. Natalie Dessay @ Barbican Hall, London Natalie Dessay seems troubled in her recital, but she delivers convincing performances, with Evelino Pidò conducting. Pure Beethoven @ Barbican Hall, London John Eliot Gardiner conducts two Beethoven symphonies and an overture, but our writer is unsure about his approach. Angela Hewitt/Takacs Quartet @ South Bank Centre, London Angela Hewitt plays Bach's Well Tempered Clavier, while the Takacs Quartet perform Beethoven the next day. London Philharmonic Orchestra @ Royal Festival Hall, London Our writer is unimpressed by Jaap van Zweden's interpretation of Mahler's popular Fifth Symphony. Gergiev's Mahler @ Barbican Hall, London Valery Gergiev conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's First and Fourth symphonies on consecutive nights. Battleship Potemkin @ Barbican Hall, London The Pet Shop Boys team up with the BBC Concert Orchestra to accompany Eisenstein's classic silent 1926 film. Academy of Ancient Music @ Wigmore Hall, London Richard Egarr leads the AAM in a programme of works, many unknown, from Marini to Mozart at London's Wigmore Hall. Le Concert d'Astrée @ Barbican Hall, London The orchestra, under Emmanuelle Haïm perform Handel and Bach, with soloists including Robert Gleadow. LPO/Alsop @ Royal Festival Hall, London Marin Alsop conducts the Rite of Spring, while Colin Currie is soloist in Jennifer Higdon's thrilling Percussion Concerto. Messiah @ Barbican Hall, London The Sixteen perform Messiah with a mixed line up of soloists, headed by the superb counter-tenor Iestyn Davies. LPO/Rozhdestvensky @ Royal Festival Hall, London Gennadi Rozhdestvensky conducts Mahler's Third Symphony with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Petra Lang. Britten Sinfonia @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London Imogen Cooper directs a captivating reading of Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto, alongside Birtwistle and Prokofiev. London Mozart Players @ Cadogan Hall, London The orchestra perform Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony under Stephen Kovacevich: our writer ponders the interpretation. RCO/Gatti @ Royal Festival Hall, London Daniele Gatti conducts an intense and grotesque reading of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony to a packed Royal Festival Hall. Brodsky Quartet @ Cadogan Hall, London The Brodsky Quartet play to an enraptured audience an exciting programme of Schubert and Schönberg. LSO/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London Valery Gergiev conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's towering Sixth Symphony, but does it convince? Carmina Burana @ Barbican Hall, London Richard Hickox conducts Carl Orff's monumental Carmina Burana, with works from Bernstein and Barber. LSO/Volkov @ Barbican Hall, London Ilan Volkov guides the London orchestra through Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony, but does the work convince? LSO/Järvi (2) @ Barbican Hall, London An intelligent, thought-provoking and raucous night at the Barbican, concluding with Varèse's Amériques. LSO/Järvi (1) @ Barbican Hall, London John Adams' Harmonielehre disappoints, but Wayne Marshall is a scintillating soloist in Gershwin's Piano Concerto. Sibelius Unbound @ Barbican Hall, London Esa-Pekka Salonen is midway through his Sibelius cycle at the Barbican, here pairing the Fourth and Seventh symphonies. ORR/Gardiner @ Royal Festival Hall, London Contralto Nathalie Stutzmann joins John Eliot Gardiner for an exploration of Schubert's influence on Brahms. London Philharmonic @ Royal Festival Hall, London Simone Young conducts a programme of early and late Strauss; Anne Schwanewilms performs the Four Last Songs. Gerald Finley @ Wigmore Hall, London Gerald Finley and accompanist Julius Drake thrill the Wigmore Hall with a generous programme of Russian and American song. Pure Janacek @ Barbican Hall, London Daniel Harding conducts spirited versions of the Sinfonietta and Act Two of Jenufa, with the London Symphony Orchestra. Scottish Ensemble/Toby Spence @ Wigmore Hall, London Tenor Toby Spence sings Finzi's popular song cycle Dies Natalis and the Scottish Ensemble play Walton and Britten. BBC Symphony Orchestra @ Barbican Hall, London Swedish soprano Camilla Tilling's vocal performance proves a highlight of this concert from the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Chicago Symphony Orchestra @ Royal Festival Hall, London Riccardo Muti brings the American orchestra to London to perform Tchaikovsky's searing, soaring Pathétique symphony. LSO/Colin Davis Gala @ Barbican Hall, London Colin Davis celebrates his 80th Birthday with the LSO playing Mozart's Requiem and Elgar's Violin Concerto. Charities Philharmonia @ St John's, Smith Square, London Conductor Michael Alexander Young takes a fresh and exciting approach to Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. Katherine Broderick @ Chelsea Schubert Festival, London Rising soprano Katherine Broderick performs Schoenberg while the Lawson Trio perform Shostakovich and Schubert. Doric Quartet @ Chelsea Schubert Festival, London The quality of performance and personable atmosphere of this concert from the Doric Quartet were a revelation. Evelyn Glennie @ Usher Hall, Edinburgh The percussionist plays a set for the Edinburgh Festival, including Steve Reich's Clapping Music, arranged for one performer. COE/Thomas Adès @ Usher Hall, London Renowned composer Thomas Adès conducts his own Violin Concerto alongside works by Beethoven, Stravinsky and Sibelius. Good Thing Going - Simply Sondheim @ Cadogan Hall, London Does American musical composer Stephen Sondheim deserve to be back in the concert hall? Our reviewer certainly thinks so. Kronos Quartet @ Barbican Hall, London The Kronos Quartet under David Harrington play two fascinating works in the Barbican's New Crowned Hope season. Young Artists Summer Concert @ ROH, London Jette Parker Young Artists including Jacques Imbrailo, Marina Poplavskaya and Ana James wow a packed Royal Opera House. Mostly Mozart Opening @ Barbican Hall, London A great C Minor Mass with Louis Langrée and Susan Gritton opens the 2007 festival at the Barbican. Sweeney Todd @ Royal Festival Hall, London Bryn Terfel is the demon barber in a semi-staged performance of Sondheim's dark and brilliant musical. Benvenuto Cellini @ Barbican Hall, London The latest instalment in the LSO and Colin Davis' Berlioz series is a concert performance of the French composer's early opera about the Italian artist. Philharmonia/Dohnányi @ Royal Festival Hall, London Alfred Brendel plays Beethoven, and Christoph von Dohnányi conducts Brahms' Second Symphony. Philharmonia/Mackerras @ Royal Festival Hall, London Charles Mackerras thrills in Janácek, though the Royal Festival Hall's acoustic still raises questions. LSO Chamber Ensemble @ Barbican Hall, London Stolid Rameau and superb Saint-Saëns with the LSO Chamber Ensemble at the Barbican. Ravel and Debussy also feature. RPO/Andrew Davis @ Cadogan Hall, London Andrew Davis conducts a lucid and luminous performance of Faure's Requiem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Deborah Voigt @ Barbican Hall, London The popular US soprano returns to London. There are encores aplenty, but our critic is not convinced by the performance. The Dream of Gerontius @ Barbican Hall, London Philip Langridge impresses in Elgar's masterwork, alongside Richard Hickox and the London Symphony Orchestra. ECO/Davis @ Cadogan Hall, London Twin pianists from Istanbul join Colin Davis and the English Chamber Orchestra in works by Mozart, Bach and Stravinsky. Bach Cantatas @ Wigmore Hall, London Gorgeous Bach from the Purcell Quartet and four commendable singers, but did this concert truly move? Felicity Lott @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London The popular Dame performs with the Nash Ensemble in a beautiful but arguably undercooked programme of songs. OAE/Rattle @ Barbican Hall, London The popular British conductor brings a stunning programme of Dvorák to Barbican Hall, with Steven Isserlis as soloist. LSO/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London Principal Conductor Valery Gergiev tackles Oedipus Rex with a stupendous orchestra and strong soloists. Angela Gheorghiu @ Barbican Hall, London The Romanian soprano appears at a packed and vociferous Barbican Hall with a glitzy programme of mostly-Romantic arias. Gold Medal Competition @ Barbican Hall, London Two sopranos, a mezzo and a baritone provide much to enjoy in the Guildhall School's annual competition. London Soloists @ Cadogan Hall, London The London-based group under Nicholas Collon play an exciting programme, including a moving rendition of the Pathetique symphony. Razumovsky Ensemble @ Wigmore Hall, London The acclaimed chamber group cook up a gastronomic feast of works by Beethoven, Brahms and Schumann. Kovacevich/Beethoven @ Cadogan Hall, London Stephen Kovacevich continues his Beethoven cycle with Egmont, Piano Concerto No. 4 and the triumphant Fifth Symphony. Traced Overhead @ Barbican Hall, London Thomas Adès conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and closes the Barbican's festival of his work. Steven Isserlis @ Wigmore Hall, London Cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Dénes Várjon team up for an all-Schumann programme at the Wigmore Hall. Giulio Cesare @ Barbican Hall, London Rene Jacobs leads a no-holds barred performance of Handel’s most frequently-performed opera, fresh from its run in Vienna. BBC SO/Adès @ Barbican Hall, London As the Barbican's Traced Overhead festival nears its end, Thomas Adès conducts the BBC SO in a varied programme. The King's Consort @ Wigmore Hall, London Carolyn Sampson joins The King's Consort for a programme of rare works including Boccherini's Stabat Mater. Serate Musicali @ QEH, London Miah Persson and Bruce Ford fill the Queen Elizabeth Hall with the sound of Rossini vocal miniatures. LPO/Alsop @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London The Baltimore Symphony's Marin Alsop guests with the London Philharmonic in works by Brahms, Britten and Dvorak. NYO/Marriner @ Barbican Hall, London Youthful exuberance in a range of colourful pieces under the experienced baton of Sir Neville Marriner. St John Passion @ Barbican Hall, London Philippe Herreweghe leads his regular forces through a performance of Bach's Easter favourite without interval. Llyr Williams @ Wigmore Hall, London The talented pianist impresses with performances of Schubert's great G major sonata and works by Robert Schumann. Ariodante @ Barbican Hall, London Christophe Rousset brings his Paris cast and players to London for a concert performance of Handel's opera. The London Choir @ Cadogan Hall, London Ronald Corp conducts The London Choir and the New London Orchestra in Bach's St John Passion. LPO/Jurowski @ QEH, London Vladimir Jurowski and the LPO explore some unusual repertoire from Honegger, Debussy and Saint-Saëns. LSO/ Harding @ Barbican Hall, London Principal Guest Conductor Daniel Harding shows what he's made of in performances of works by Dvorák and Berg. English Baroque Choir @ SJSS, London Counter-tenor Michael Chance in a performance of Scarlatti's Stabat Mater and works by Bach and Hewitt-Jones. Kovacevich/ Beethoven @ Cadogan Hall, London The first concert in Stephen Kovacevich's 14 month Beethoven cycle with the London Mozart Players. LSO/Mangou @ Barbican Hall, London Magicians, musicians and minors mingle in "Abracadabra!", the LSO's latest concert for younger audiences at the Barbican. Monteverdi Choir/Gardiner @ Barbican Hall, London John Eliot Gardiner, the English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir celebrate the coming of Spring with Haydn's The Seasons. BPO/Rattle @ Barbican Hall, London Simon Rattle and The Berlin Phil return to the Barbican playing Dvorák, Janácek and Thomas Adès' Tevot. LSO/Tilson Thomas @ Barbican Hall, London Trombone fun in Jonathan Dove's Stargazer and Mahler at his sunniest in the ethereal Fourth Symphony. Charities Philharmonia/Young @ SJSS, London Michael Alexander Young conducts a triumphant performance of Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony. LSO/Davis/Uchida @ Barbican Hall, London James MacMillan joins Mozart and Tchaikovsky for the Barbican's 25th Birthday, with the help of Colin Davis and Mitsuko Uchida. BBCSO/Belohlávek @ Barbican Hall, London Jirí Belohlávek conducts a concert staging of Janácek's picaresque opera The Excursions of Mr Broucek. LSO/Davis/Uchida @ Barbican Hall, London Mitsuko Uchida in Mozart's Thirteenth Piano Concerto while Colin Davis conducts Dvorak's Sixth Symphony. LSO/Elder @ Barbican Hall, London Mark Elder conducts lesser-known works by Janacek and Joshua Bell plays Brahms' Violin Concerto. John Tomlinson @ St John's, Smith Square The much loved bass baritone performs his first ever recital of Schubert's great song cycle Winterreise RCA/Jansons @ Barbican Hall, London Mariss Jansons conducts the Royal Concertgebouw of Amsterdam in two concerts at the Barbican. Alban Berg Quartet @ QEH, London The Alban Berg Quartet play Beethoven, Haydn and the premiere of a new work by Wolfgang Rihm. BBCSO/Robertson @ Barbican Hall, London David Robertson conducts the premiere of Simon Bainbridge's immense Diptych. LSO/Adams @ Barbican Hall, London John Adams conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in a second concert of his own works. LSO/Adams @ Barbican Hall, London John Adams conducts a range of his own works with the London Symphony Orchestra. LSO/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London Valery Gergiev takes over as Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. A Child of Our Time @ Barbican Hall, London The Crouch End Festival Chorus presents Tippett's oratorio with Britten's Spring Symphony. Florestan Trio @ Wigmore Hall, London The Florestan Trio returns to London's premiere chamber music venue with a delightful programme. LSO/Davis @ Barbican Hall, London Sir Colin Davis conducts his first concert as President of the London Symphony, including a Mozart piano concerto and Elgar. Christmas Oratorio @ Barbican Hall, London William Christie conducts Les Arts Florissants in Bach's festive celebration. LSO/Pappano @ Barbican, London Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns and Rachmaninov. BBC Symphony Orchestra/Davis @ Barbican, London Andrew Davis, reunited with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducts Berlioz, Poulenc and Fénelon. Wihan Quartet @ Wigmore Hall, London The Wihan Quartet play Beethoven and Dvorak string quartets at a Sunday Morning Coffee Concert in Wigmore Street. London Philharmonic/Jurowski @ QEH, London The London Philharmonic Orchestra's Principal Conductor-Designate conducts works by Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Barber. LSO/Davis @ Barbican Hall, London Sir Colin Davis concludes his immense reign as Principal Conductor of the LSO with a performance of Handel's Messiah. Academy of Ancient Music @ Wigmore Hall, London Soprano Carolyn Sampson joins the AAM for a performance of Mozart's Exsultate, jubilate at the Wigmore. Juan Diego Flórez @ Barbican Hall, London Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez goes to the Barbican for a recital of arias and songs. Mariinsky Orchestra/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London The Gergiev-Barbican-Shostakovich cycle concludes with the composer's Second and Eleventh Symphonies. RCM/Bernard Haitink @ Barbican Hall, London Bernard Haitink returns to the Royal College of Music to conduct Bruckner's Seventh Symphony. Mariinsky Orchestra/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London As the Gergiev-Barbican-Shostakovich cycle nears its conclusion, the Russian maestro conducts the Tenth and Twelfth Symphonies. Mariinsky Orchestra/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London Valery Gergiev conducts Shostakovich's Sixth and Thirteenth Symphonies as part of a year-long cycle. L'enfance du Christ @ Barbican Hall, London The greatest Berlioz conductor of our time returns to conduct the LSO in his penultimate programme as their Principal Conductor. Renée Fleming @ Barbican, London The American soprano returns to the Barbican in a recital encompassing arias by Strauss, Puccini, Verdi, Smetana and Korngold. Viktoria Mullova @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London The acclaimed young violinist joins Katia Labeque for a programme including works by Schubert and Bartok. BBCSO/Robertson @ Barbican Hall, London David Robertson conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Rossini's Stabat Mater, with Majella Cullagh. Andreas Scholl @ Barbican, London Popular counter-tenor Andreas Scholl sings two of Bach's Cantatas; the programme also features the composer's Double Violin Concerto. LSO/Marin Alsop @ Barbican, London Leading American conductor Marin Alsop tackls music by John Adams and Mahler's Fifth Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra. Philharmonia/Hickox @ QEH, London Britten's final opera Death in Venice is given two semi-staged performances with Philip Langridge as Aschenbach. Victoria Goldsmith and the Royal Philharmonic @ Cadogan Hall, London Victoria Goldsmith plays the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the RPO. But is she ready for the challenge? Brodsky Quartet @ Wigmore Hall, London The acclaimed string quartet sandwiches Robert Schumann between the more famous birthday boys, Shostakovich and Mozart. LSO/Zinman @ Barbican Hall, London Legendary pianist Alfred Brendel returns to the Barbican with Mozart's 25th concerto, plus Mahler's Ninth Symphony. Dustin Gledhill @ Wigmore Hall, London American pianist and Jacques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition-winner Gledhill gives a wide-ranging recital. Viva Finlandia @ Cadogan Hall, London A salute to Finland's music and musicians comes in the form of a collaboration between conservatoires in England and Finland. LSO/Richard Hickox @ Barbican Hall, London Lars Vogt plays the Grieg Piano Concerto and the LSO's Space Weekend culminates with Holst's Planets. Kurtag 80th Birthday @ Wigmore Hall, London Gyorgy Kurtag celebrates his 80th birthday with his wife and a select audience at the Wigmore Hall. Magdalena Kozena @ Barbican Hall, London The Czech mezzo sings Mozart Arias with Il Giardino Armonico conducted by Giovanni Antonini. Kurtag Celebration @ Wigmore Hall, London The Keller Quartet play works by the Hungarian composer György Kurtág in celebration of his 80th Birthday. Hadyn: The Creation @ Barbican Hall, London The Gabrieli Consort and Players are joined by a young choir in a splendid performance of Haydn's oratorio. The King's Consort @ Wigmore Hall, London Soprano Carolyn Sampson joins The King's Consort for Handel's Nine German Arias. Ralph Kirshbaum @ Wigmore Hall, London Cellist Ralph Kirshbaum celebrates his 60th Birthday with a few friends and admirers at Wigmore Hall. Mozart 250th Concert @ ROH, London John Eliot Gardiner conducts a host of stars in a celebration of Mozart's 250th Anniversary. BBCSO/Belohlavek @ Barbican, London Jiri Belohlavek conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Janacek, Mozart and Stravinsky. Malcolm Arnold Tribute - Ernest Read Symphony Orchestra @ SJSS, London A celebration of his 85th Birthday became a poignant tribute to the popular composer who died in September. Steve Reich: Distant Voices, Diversions, In the Beginning @ Barbican, London The first day of the Barbican's innovative Reich weekend offers three sharply contrasted works. Steve Reich: The Cave, Two Visions, Three Tales, Remixing Reich @ Barbican Hall, London Three highlights of the Barbican's remarkable festival celebrating the music of Steve Reich. Royal Opera Orchestra/Davis @ ROH, London Film music maestro Carl Davis and the Royal Opera Orchestra accompany the classic silent film. BBCSO/Jiri Belohlavek @ Barbican Hall, London A world premiere by Jonathan Dove and Beethoven's Eroica inaugurate the new season. Hallé/Mark Elder @ Bridgewater Hall, Manchester The renowned Manchester orchestra opens the 2006-7 season with an electrifying performance of Mahler's iconic Fifth Symphony. Razumovsky Ensemble @ Wigmore Hall, London Oleg Kogan's renowned ensemble performs chamber music by Schubert and Mendelssohn. LSO/Sir Colin Davis @ Barbican Hall, London Evgeny Kissin joins the LSO for Mozart's Piano Concerto K491, and Colin Davis conducts Sibelius' Second Symphony. LSO/Sir Colin Davis @ Barbican Hall, London Evgeny Kissin joins the LSO for Schumann's Piano Concerto, and Colin Davis conducts Sibelius' First Symphony. Vienna Philharmonic/Gergiev @ Barbican Hall, London Valery Gergiev conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in two programmes of Shostakovich, Mozart and Schumann. Philharmonia/Mackerras @ Usher Hall, Edinburgh Charles Mackerras conducts Beethoven's Choral Symphony, as part of the EIF's three-in-one concert series. Berlin Philharmonic/Simon Rattle @ Usher Hall, Edinburgh Sir Simon Rattle returns to the UK with a programme including Mahler 4 and Szymanowski. Anne Schwanewilms @ Queen's Hall, Edinburgh Soprano Anne Schwanewilms in a programme of lieder by Strauss and Mahler accompanied by Malcolm Martineau. Lloyds TSB Scotland Concert @ Usher Hall, Edinburgh Charles Mackerras conducts the SCO, Thomas Zehetmair leads the NS in Bach, and Herbert Blomstedt tackles Bruckner 8. Mozart Requiem @ Barbican Hall, London The last night of the Mostly Mozart Festival features the composer's final work, the Requiem Mass. Amadeus never had it so good... English Chamber Orchestra @ Barbican Hall, London Roy Goodman conducts Hilary Hahn in Mendelssohn and Vaughan Williams, plus Mozart's Jupiter symphony. Philharmonia/Schiff @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London The famous pianist plays and conducts the music of Schumann in his 150th anniversary year, with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Royal String Quartet @ Wigmore Hall, London Cédric Tibergien joins the quartet to play chamber arrangements of Mozart's piano concerti, with a talk by Simon Keefe. Sally Burgess - Pierrot Lunaire @ Almeida Theatre, London Sally Burgess adds to her already impressive credentials with this immaculate performance of Schoenberg's taxing work. James Lisney @ Wigmore Hall, London Twenty years after his debut, pianist James Lisney performs an all-Chopin programme in this 5 star-rated performance. Primavera Ensemble @ Wigmore Hall, London The world-renowned ensemble is joined by Massimo Mercelli for a Philip Glass world premiere, plus Rossini and Schubert. LSO/Chang @ Barbican Hall, London The young violinist Sarah Chang plays Bruch's First Concerto, whilst Ivan Volkov steps in at late notice to conduct Bartok. LSO/Kreizberg @ Barbican Hall, London Yakov Kreizberg conducts Shostakovich, and Stephen Hough plays Beethoven's Emperor Concerto. Belcea Quartet @ Wigmore Hall, London The famous ensemble plays the final three quartets of Bartók to help bring the Wigmore Hall's festival to a grand climax. Mozart in London @ Barbican Hall, London Paul McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort explore Mozart's London works and those of his contemporaries. Bartók the Pianist @ Wigmore Hall, London Llyr Williams, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Tamara Stefanovich participate in the Wigmore Hall's Bartók Festival. Karita Mattila @ Barbican Hall, London The great Finnish soprano presents a varied programme for her Barbican recital - and sends us home with sweet dreams.