Email: ReviewsgateReviews@gmail.com
Reviews
To Maury with Love, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Catherine Street, London W1 for one night only | 22 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell
“A memorable birthday party.”
Photo credit: Eliza Wilmot
Fantasia Orchestra with Jess Gillam: Electric Currents, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 16 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“An explosion of joyful energy.”
Photo credit: Alex Rimell
Czech Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | Thursday 12 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A very fine orchestra, playing with power and precision.”
The Full Fatt Sound: Songs for Resistance, Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 11 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“Some powerful messages about today’s dangerous political landscape, delivered through uplifting music.”
The Hallé plays Sibelius, Shostakovich and Beethoven, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 10 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“The Hallé delivers even more than the sum of its thrilling parts.”
Photo credit: Marco Grob
Manchester Collective: Sky With The Four Suns, Lakeside, Nottingham, 05 February 2026, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff.
“Cutting-edge music that both provokes and illuminates.”
Photo credit: Manchester Collective
Brahms’ Fourth Symphony, CSBO, Symphony Hall Birmingham | 4 February 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A luminous reading of Strauss’ Four Last Songs and a sturdy Brahms 4.”
Amiri Harewood (piano), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 25 January 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Wide-ranging repertoire, stylishly performed.”
Photo credit: Josimar Senior
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 23 January 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Conductor Anja Bihlmaier and the BBC Phil reach deep inside some less familiar repertoire.”
Photo credit: Marco Borggreve
Kazuki Conducts MahlerCBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | Thursday 15th January 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A dazzling performance of Mahler’s Titanic 1st Symphony.”
Leoš Janáček’s The Makropulos AffairLondon Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle; Barbican Hall, London EC2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Clare Colvin
“Triumphant finale to Janáček’s great supernatural opera.”
Photo credit: Mark Allan
The Kanneh-Masons, Sinfonia Viva and Nottingham Harmonic ChoirRoyal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 10 January 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“A city celebrates key elements of its musical life.”
Photo credit: Ollie Ali
National Youth Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 06 January 2026, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff.
“Music-making to gladden the heart and provide hope for the future.”
Photo credit: Tom Morley.
Lurker (2025) Dir Alex Russell, Universal Pictures ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Matthew Alicoon
“A psychologically precise interrogation on the true cost of visibility and fame.”
Sarah Beth Briggs (piano) Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 14 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“A seasonal programme devised, presented and played with musical intelligence”.
Photo credit: Royal Centre
Kazuki Conducts Strauss, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 10 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A feast of gorgeous Richard Strauss”.
Southwell Music Festival – Christmas Celebration, Southwell Minster | 08 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“The Southwell Festival presents a Christmas Celebration of exceptional artistic integrity”.
Photo credit: Tom Platinum Morley
Concerto Budapest Symphony, OrchestraSymphony Hall, Birmingham | 03 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“Some extremely fine playing from this excellent Hungarian ensemble”.
Photo credit: Mudra Laszlo
Tenebrae: In Winter’s House Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 01 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Jewel-like miniatures sung with exquisite clarity and emotional depth”.
Photo credit: Sim Canetty-Clarke