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Reviews
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.”
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.
The Forsyte SagaParts I and II, John Galsworthy, adapted by Shaun McKenna & Lin Coghlan, RSC, The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon | Until Saturday 10 January 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Roderick Dungate
“Clever and thoughtful adaptation, strong company”.
Photo credit: Cam Harle
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
Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Nutcracker, Birmingham Hippodrome | 05-13 December 2025 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A dazzling Christmas spectacular”.
Photo credit: Birmingham Royal Ballet
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
Quatuor Agate. Lakeside, Nottingham, 27 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Quatuor Agate reach deep inside the music with playing of probing intensity.”
Photo Credit: Lakeside.
An Evening with Rushil Ranjan, CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 27 November, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Dan Auluk.
“Certainly a reminder that music’s power is in the connection and humanity it offers.”
Aurora Orchestra. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 25 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Aurora’s playing from memory adds a new dimension to the music.”
Photo Credit: Kaupo Kikkas.
Centre Stage: Baroque Ensemble: 1725 Music in Naples, CBSO, CBSO Centre, Birmingham 24 November 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.
“A fascinating concert focusing on a musically significant time and place.”
Susanna (Opera North). Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 21 November 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: William Ruff.
“Opera North triumphantly liberates Handel’s Susanna from the cultural museum.”
Photo Credit: Richard H Smith.