Email: ReviewsgateReviews@gmail.com
Reviews
Richard Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde, London Symphony Orchestra/Pappano/Barbican Hall, London EC2 | 12 July, 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Clare Colvin
“…a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience for its dramatic power…”
Photo credit: Barbican
Kazuki Conducts Harmonium, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 4 July 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A brilliantly well performed Independence Day concert all about the best of America.”
Photo credit: Andrew Fox
Neil Brand presents Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd, Lakeside, Nottingham | 18 June 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Neil Brand brings three silent film classics back to life.”
Photo credit: Lakeside
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | 18 June 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“Dazzling violin virtuosity and a meaty reading of a Prokofiev masterwork.”
Photo credit: Marco Borggrevo
Ensemble Augelletti, Lakeside, Nottingham | 11 June 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Intimate musical conversations between equals.”
Photo credit: Lakeside
Centre Stage: Dvořák’s American Quartet, CBSO Centre, Birmingham | 05 June 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray
“…rhythmically complex chord progressions over the top, with crisp unanimity: very impressive.”
Photo credit: American Quartet Event-page
The Hallé plays Janacek, Tchaikovsky and Dvorak, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham |04 June 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“The Nottingham Classics season ends with a Technicolor journey through the Slavic soul.”
Photo credit: Otto van den Toorn
Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham | Wednesday 3rd June 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“These arrangements hark back to the time before authenticity in performance practice had taken hold.”
Photo credit: Hannah Blake Fathers
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham | 20 May 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Ruff
“Revolutionary rhythms and poetic intimacy combine with some distinctively Polish voices.”
Photo credit: Frances Marshall
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