Email: ReviewsgateReviews@gmail.com
Reviews
Guarneri Trio Prague, Lakeside, Nottingham | 07 May 2026 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review by William Ruff
“A masterclass in all that makes chamber music special.”
Photo credit: Lakeside
The Flying Dutchman, Wagner, WNO, Birmingham Hippodrome | 07 May 2026 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A spare but unsparingly intense production.”
Photo credit: Craig Fuller
Brahms & Rachmaninoff, CBSO, Symphony Hall | 29 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“An exceptionally fine reading of Brahms’ Violin Concerto and a convincing performance of one of Rachmaninoff’s weaker works.”
Photo credit: Hannah Fathers
Isata Kanneh-Mason, Lakeside, Nottingham | 25 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Lyrical grace, fearless technical precision and deeply personal commitment.”
Photo credit: Lakeside
Centre Stage: Brahms’ Piano Quintet, CBSO Centre, Birmingham | 24 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A searingly intense and insightful reading of a monumental piece of chamber music.”
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra plays Russian music, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 23 April 2026 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review by William Ruff
“Rich, vivid playing from the RLPO and staggering virtuosity from the soloist.”
Photo credit: Chris Christoloudou
Beethoven & Puccini, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 17 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“Some Puccini opera scores viewed from an unusual angle and a technically tight Beethoven Concerto.”
Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 16 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Music that distils the soul of Spain, played with passion and brilliance.”
Photo credit: Marco Borggre/Warner Classics-Erato
Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 11 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“An evocative, Spanish themed programme, delivered with flare by an excellent orchestra and soloist.”
Photo credit: Warner-Classics-Erato
Tan Dun and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 29 March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“An interesting, if not convincing, new work and an exciting reading of an established masterpiece.”
The Universities for Nottingham Concert: Verdi’s Requiem, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 25 March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Thrilling music-making from every member of the huge forces involved.”
Photo credit: John Smalley
Anna Tsybuleva plays Ravel and Chopin, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 22 March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Extraordinary command of keyboard colour and texture.”
Photo credit: Royal Centre
Richard Strauss Spectacular, Kimichi Symphony Orchestra & Sujata Banerjee Dance Company, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 22 March 2023 ⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A potentially good concert and some nice dance that didn’t really work together with the music.”
Photo credit: Natasha Ludlow
Dudok Quartet & Pieter Wispelwey (cello), Lakeside, Nottingham | 19 March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Performances which traverse a profoundly moving emotional landscape.”
Photo credit: Lakeside
Ossian Huskinson and Matthew Fletcher, Lakeside, Nottingham | 14 March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Eloquent performances of some unusual repertoire.”
Photo credit: Lakeside
The Hallé plays Britten, Rachmaninov and Walton, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 13 March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“The Hallé: high drama and razor-sharp playing from conductor, orchestra and soloist.”
Photo credit: Susanne Diesner.
Julian Bliss, Maxim Rysanov and James Baillieu play Mozart and Schumann, Lakeside, Nottingham | 26 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Eloquent, civilised musical conversations.”
Photo credit: William Ruff
Korngold & Prokofiev, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 25 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A well programmed and impressive performance of a glamourous concerto and an epic symphony.”
Photo credit: Andrew Fox
Sinfonia Viva plays Bach and Piazzolla, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 22 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Ancient meets modern with exhilarating energy.”
Photo credit: Royal Centre
Daniel Lebhardt (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 22 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Playing of intellectual strength and poetic insight.”
Photo credit: Royal Centre