> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # CLASSICAL NOTES with Nick Boston - URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/classical-notes-with-nick-boston-3/ - Published: 2022-11-28T15:00:28.000Z - Updated: 2022-11-28T15:00:28.000Z - Description: Reviews and previews from our classical music columnist - Author: Nick Boston - Tags: Arts, Music, Previews, Reviews, BREMF, Brighton, Brighton & Hove, Brighton Dome, classical music, music, Nick Boston ### REVIEWS **Johannes Pramsohler** (violin) and **Ensemble Diderot** are back with an intriguing collection of so-called ***Travel Concertos*** – virtuoso works that may have been designed to be taken ‘on tour’ as opportunities to show off their instrumental and compositional talents. They begin with a blistering performance of **Bach**’s ***Brandenburg Concerto No. 5***, as well as three violin concertos, two from **Johann Georg Pisendel** (1688-1755) and one from **Johann Jakob Kress** (1685-1728), allowing Pramsohler to shine as ever here. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical1-e1669645998796.jpg) Audax ADX11204 There is also a wonderful **Concerto** by **Johann David Heinichen** (1683-1729), with solo lines for violin, flute, oboe, theorbo and cello. Finally, there is a **Concerto** by **Carlo Paolo Durant** (1712-1769), for harpsichord, lute, cello and strings. All in all, some delightful and striking works on offer here, four out of the six being premiere recordings, and all performed with such virtuosic expertise and sensitivity, making this a joy to listen to again and again. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical2.jpg) First Hand Records FHR138 Organist **Tom Wilkinson** has recorded the six **Trio Sonatas**, **BWV 525-530** by **J. S. Bach** on the organ of the **Reid Concert Hall** at the **University of Edinburgh**. It is not unusual for there to be three ‘voices’ in organ music – the right hand, the left hand and the feet on the pedals – but the degree to which Bach made these three voices independent and used them almost as separate instruments is very different, even from the rest of his own organ compositions. The organ used here has a beautifully soft sound, and Wilkinson selects carefully the stops used for each movement (these are all listed in the notes for organ specialists) to give variety of timbre. A very pleasing disc, and for a non-organ fan, Wilkinson’s effortless and even articulation of the complex three-part lines really brings out Bach’s daring use of the Trio Sonata form. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical3.jpg) Somm SOMMCD0656 The **Tippett Quartet** have added to the 150th celebrations of **Vaughan Williams**’ (1872-1958) birth with a strong recording of his two **String Quartets**, alongside **Gustav Holst**’s (1874-1934) ***Phantasy on British Folk Songs, Op. 36***. The influence of Ravel can certainly be heard in the opening movement of Vaughan Williams’ **String Quartet No. 1**, and the Tippett Quartet deliver a suitably rich sound here. The **String Quartet No. 2** was was dedicated to violist **Jean Stewart**, and the viola features heavily throughout. **Lydia Lowndes-Northcott** on viola here sets the tone for an expressive reading of the work. Holst’s *Phantasy* begins with a viola solo too, with ethereal violins joining in pentatonic mode, before the first violin leads off with a sprightlier version over meandering accompaniment. The Tippett Quartet’s performances here are exemplary, but it is the *String Quartet No. 1* that sets this recording alight with energy and variety of expression. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical4.jpg) Convivium CR075 In a disc of songs by two lesser known contemporaneous English composers, **Eric Thiman** (1900-1975) and **Michael Head** (1900-1976), **Emily Gray** (mezzo-soprano) and **Nicole Johnson** (piano) do a great service in bringing their songs to our attention. Gray’s command of the range required here is impressive, and her pure light tone can be contrasted with power at the extremes of the register when required. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical5.jpg) Convivium CR077 Moving into unashamed Christmas territory, the **Celestia Singers** and **Celestia Brass**, conducted by **David Ogden**, with **Rebecca Taylor** on piano, have recorded **Christmas Tidings**, an album of choral pieces by **Brian Knowles** (b.1946). The more contemplative works here work better for me, such as the gentle setting of *I Sing Of A Maiden*, and *Twelfth Night*. The jollier numbers move more into **John Rutter** territory – so it depends whether you are a fan of that Christmas style or not. The performances here cannot be faulted, and the recorded sound is clear and warm throughout. ### CONCERTS ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical6.jpg) Quatuor Arod. Credit: Marco Borggreve The **Quatuor Arod** play **Debussy, Mendelssohn** and a work they commissioned by **Benjamin Attahir** (**11am** on **Sunday, December 11** at **Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts,** Brighton). Tickets [HERE](http://www.attenboroughcentre.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical7.jpg) Leia Zhu **Kareem Hassan** conducts the **London Philharmonic Orchestra** in **Smetana, Rimsky-Korsakov**’s **Scheherazade**, and **Vaughan Williams**’ **The Lark Ascending**, with **Leia Zhu** (violin) (**3pm** on **Sunday, December 11** at **Congress Theatre,** Eastbourne). Tickets [HERE](http://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/classical8-e1669646736728.jpg) **Brighton Early Music Festival** is back for a mini Christmas choral festival. The **BREMF Consort of Voices**, conducted by **Deborah Roberts**, sing music by **Byrd, Sheppard** and **Tallis,** including **Tallis**’ Christmas mass **Puer natus est nobis** (**7.30pm** on **Friday, December 16** at **St Martin’s Church**, Brighton). Then the **BREMF Singers** and **BREMF Players**, conducted by **John Hancorn**, perform a programme of French baroque music for the season, including **Charpentier**’s ***Messe de Minuit pour Noël*** *,* with soloists including **Angela Hicks, Kieran Whit**e & **Rory Carver** (**7.30pm** on **Saturday, December 17** at **St Martin’s Church**). Tickets [HERE](http://bremf.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/5-7jpegversionstwo_64copy-e1669646901570.jpg) Baroque Collective Singers The **Baroque Collective Singers** perform **Bach**’s **Singet dem Herrn**, and music by **Buxtehude, Praetorius, Britten** and more (**7.30pm** on **Wednesday, December 21** at **St Michael’s Church,** Lewes). Tickets [HERE](http://www.thebaroquecollective.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ailish-tynan-e1669647084517.jpg) Ailish Tynan The **Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra**, conducted by **Stephen Bell,** are joined by soprano **Ailish Tynan** for their ***New Year’s Eve Viennese Gala* (2.45pm** on **Saturday, December 31** at **Brighton Dome**). Tickets [HERE](http://brightondome.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### MORE INFO **Full reviews can be found** [**HERE**](https://nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.com/2022/09/cd-reviews-october-2022.html?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **For more reviews, comment and events,[ CLICK HERE](http://www.nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)** **Twitter @nickb86uk** **Email –** [**nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk**](mailto:nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk)