Award-winning early music ensemble Arcangelo brings the B Minor to the RAH I find it really hard to review the Bach B Minor Mass. As one of the towering masterpieces of Western music, it in some senses defies criticism. Albert Einstein even, allegedly, said: ‘This is what I have to say about Bach’s life’s work: […]
Proms 2026 – The Met Orchestra Plays Mahler
Memorable Mahler at the Proms As a culturally minded singleton in my 20s, I used to ‘prom’ (queue up on the day for standing tickets) at the BBC’s Proms summer festival at the Royal Albert Hall about twice a week. It’s still, to my mind, the best value ticket in London if you’re willing to […]
BBC Proms – 20th Century Classics
Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts a vibrant young group of musicians If someone asked you what to expect from a programme called 20th Century Classics, what would you pick? I’d definitely include some Stravinsky, with The Rite of Spring the obvious choice. How about a bit of Shostakovich, or Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie? For something a little more playful, […]
Tao of Glass
A Portrait of the Artist… The charismatic Phelim McDermott is the central figure in The Tao of Glass, a work that originated from a unique theatrical collaboration with the American minimalist composer Philip Glass. First staged as part of the 2019 Manchester International Festival, it tracks Phelim’s life from a young theatre-obsessed boy, to a […]
BBC Proms 2026 – Sibelius’s Second
Three Masterpieces, One Outstanding Prom How do you pick your Proms? Now that I’m not always in London, choosing which Proms to attend is a real challenge. The breadth of programming is extraordinary, often featuring orchestras and soloists who only appear in London once or twice a year. I try my best to balance going […]
BBC Proms 2026 – Mahler’s Tragic Sixth.
A Summer of Classics in London and Beyond. For more than 130 years, the BBC Proms has been one of the highlights of the classical music calendar. Founded in 1895 by impresario Robert Newman and conductor Sir Henry Wood, the original Promenade Concerts were designed to bring great music to the widest possible audience, with […]
LIVE AT CHELSEA at the Royal Hospital Chelsea June 2026
Step Back into the ’80s with Live At Chelsea If you grew up in the ’80s like me, you’ll have fond memories of its iconic pop culture, and there’s no better way to indulge them than with Live At Chelsea, running from 10–14 June. Set in the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea, home to the world-famous […]
Brighton Festival
Brighton Celebrates the Arts with a Wide-Ranging Festival A sprawling jamboree of arts and entertainment, the Brighton Festival returns to the city and surrounding areas in May for its 60th edition, bigger and better than ever before. Music, both classical and popular, circus, dance, literature, visual arts, you name it, all will be there vying […]
Upstairs at Ronnie’s Classical Series
Classical with a Hint of Swing Upstairs at Ronnie’s Legendary Soho jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s, has forayed into new musical territory with a dedicated weekly classical night hosted in their newly refurbished upstairs venue. Bringing together artists, composers, and session players from the world of orchestral music, the Monday evening classical shows at Upstairs at […]
Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026
For the Love of Music Despite my background in music (I have a degree in music and many years of singing in choirs and playing piano and violin as an amateur), an invitation to the Royal Philharmonic Society awards left me slightly confused. I’d heard of the awards, of course, but thought that the Royal […]