Press review Leeds Town Hall, Saturday 30 May 2015 That the BBC Philharmonic opened their concert evening in Leeds with a curtain lifter such as the overture to Hector Berlioz’ opera Benvenuto Cellini (1834–37) was fitting in light of the spectacle that was to take place later. Simon Wright, musical director of Leeds Festival Choir, skillfully led

Press review Leeds Town Hall, 30th May 2015 As the ‘finale’ concert to the wonderful Leeds International Orchestral Season, there is a sense of celebration and flourish. As the conductor and the eminent Peter Donohoe, after a sumptuous performance of Ravel’s Piano Concerto, sit down together to play the original piano duet version of Ravel’s Ma Mere

Letter Beethoven Symphony No 9 (Choral): May I, through the pages of the YEP, express my thanks and appreciation to both the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and the Leeds Festival Chorus for their outstanding performance at the Leeds Town Hall last Saturday night. Along with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra their performance at the Beethoven Symphony No 9 (Choral)

Press review Leeds Town Hall, 14th March 2015: Carl Orff, the composer of Carmina Burana, the centre piece of this concert, spent much of his working life teaching children. Fitting then, that this was a concert perfect for a young person’s first taste of orchestral and choral live music. What could be more accessible than Dukas Sorcerer’s

Press review Leeds Town Hall, Saturday 13th December 2014: The Leeds Philharmonic Chorus performance of Messiah is delightfully refreshing. Also performing is the small baroque orchestra Florilegium (with original instruments), which is beautifully shaped with finesse and elegance, taking hold of the drama of the piece, making it count for the big moments. The Leeds Philharmonic Chorus was

Press review St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, 14th November 2014: It is perhaps three decades since Britten’s War Requiem was last heard in Belfast. Last night, a sold out performance in St Anne’s Cathedral brought together the Ulster Orchestra with the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Belfast Philharmonic with the Leeds Philharmonic and the girl choristers of St Anne’s.