Freaky Party

Music Reviews and more

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Pop/Rock
  • Metal
  • Indie
  • Electronic
  • Folk
  • Jazz
  • Classical

Post navigation

← Older posts

Julius Eastman: A Power Greater Than review – Davóne Tines celebrates the maverick musician

In a vivid concert celebrating the eclecticism of Eastman’s work, there was head-banging intensity, the spirt of Joan of Arc and a Lutheran battle hymn

Gli Incogniti/Beyer: Bach from Italy album review – fascinating collection sizzles and shines

Violinist Amandine Beyer and the musicians of Gli Incogniti juxtapose original works by Vivaldi and the Marcello brothers with the Bach compositions they inspired and influenced

Iberia album review – Hindoyan and the RLPO turn the heat up with Spanish colours and sunshine

There’s addictive Latin rhythms and perfectly judged musical adrenaline in Domingo Hindoyan and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s recording of these six French works with a Spanish theme

Apartment House review – an evening rich in discoveries, musical delicacies and magic

The new music ensemble was at the top of its game with seven premieres that included melancholy hymns from Linda Catlin Smith, Paul Paccione’s scrunchy modal harmonies and fragile beauty from Ramūnas Motiekaitis

LSO/Adès review – the mood-boosting musical equivalent of a Sad lamp

Thomas Adès curated and conducted a dazzling concert of contemporary works by Alex Paxton and Poul Ruders, plus his own Aquifer alongside a radiant Sibelius 3

BBC Phil/Seal: Bliss, Miracle in the Gorbals/Metamorphic Variations album review – much to enjoy

This is a fascinating chance to hear two contrasting pieces by the former master of the Queen’s music; the BBC Philharmonic unfurl the beauties of each work

Hugh Cutting: Refound album review – an idiosyncratic and profoundly satisfying collection

The Kathleen Ferrier award-winning countertenor’s debut recital album showcases his warm tone and effortless musical line – and his originality

Albert Herring review – ENO heralds new era with witty staging of Britten’s story of a mummy’s boy

English National Opera’s first shared production between London and Salford is a fluent and finely sung take on Britten’s 1947 comic opera. Antony McDonald’s lively staging gives the slender tale a sitcom feel

Mitsuko Uchida review – enthralling and exhilarating late Beethoven

The pianist’s performance of sonatas Opp 109, 110 and 111 was full of tender, intriguing details – the works together formed something greater than the sum of their parts

La Bohème review – noirish reframing of Puccini’s classic weepy

Floris Visser’s stylish bohemia recalls Brassaï’s Paris, while Puccini’s score is delivered with crispness and elasticity

The Magic Flute review – assured, atmospheric and a lot of fun

Revival of David McVicar’s production is full of kitsch turns and exquisite performances, not least from young French conductor Marie Jacquot

Beethoven 5 Vol 4: Salvatore di Sciarrino album review – classical weight, contemporary subtlety

Jonathan Biss pairs Beethoven’s fourth concerto with Sciarrino’s 21st-century miniature, creating a programme that is thoughtful and vividly expressive

BBCSO/Stasevska: Become Ocean review – elemental, unsettling and beautiful

A brilliantly thought-through sequence of music by Thorvaldsdottir, Ligeti and John Luther Adams made for a powerful and immersive experience

The Hermes Experiment: Tree album review – vivid voices and bold textures from inventive ensemble

An exhilarating album of new and reimagined works by Errollyn Wallen, Laura Moody and others reaffirms this group’s reputation for fearless musical curiosity

Carmen review – big on noise but short on chemistry

ENO’S fourth revival of Calixto Bieito’s classic production starts at an exhilarating gallop but is thrown off course by its ill-fitting translation and onstage clamour

Post navigation

← Older posts
  • Julius Eastman: A Power Greater Than review – Davóne Tines celebrates the maverick musician
  • Sananda Maitreya review – the former Terence Trent D’Arby returns in astonishing vocal form
  • Gillian Welch and David Rawlings review – perfectly paired talents at the peak of their powers
  • Dave: The Boy Who Played the Harp review – ​it’s clearer than ever what a stunningly skilled rapper he is
  • Mohinder Kaur Bhamra: Punjabi Disco review – rediscovery of an 80s trailblazer
  • Jennifer Walton: Daughters review – a stylish and painful debut
  • Lily Allen: West End Girl – a gobsmacking autopsy of marital betrayal
  • Gli Incogniti/Beyer: Bach from Italy album review – fascinating collection sizzles and shines
  • Iberia album review – Hindoyan and the RLPO turn the heat up with Spanish colours and sunshine
  • Apartment House review – an evening rich in discoveries, musical delicacies and magic
  • LSO/Adès review – the mood-boosting musical equivalent of a Sad lamp
  • Fridayz Live Sydney review – Mariah Carey is impeccable but Pitbull steals the show
  • Little Simz review – hip-hop visionary radiates joy and Gallagher-level swagger
  • Tame Impala: Deadbeat review – ‘bush doof’ bangers can’t hide how downbeat Kevin Parker seems to be
  • BBC Phil/Seal: Bliss, Miracle in the Gorbals/Metamorphic Variations album review – much to enjoy
  • Sebastian Rochford: Finding Ways review – Polar Bear drummer’s strikingly varied quest into the aftermath of grief
  • The Last Dinner Party: From the Pyre review – baroque’n’roll band’s speedily released second album is overheated
  • Hugh Cutting: Refound album review – an idiosyncratic and profoundly satisfying collection
  • Albert Herring review – ENO heralds new era with witty staging of Britten’s story of a mummy’s boy
  • Mitsuko Uchida review – enthralling and exhilarating late Beethoven
  • Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition review – fabled album falls short of expectations
  • La Bohème review – noirish reframing of Puccini’s classic weepy
  • Jade review – pop’s quirkiest star transcends manufactured past
  • The Magic Flute review – assured, atmospheric and a lot of fun
  • Robbie Williams review – tiny Camden gig offers blinding star wattage – and a surprising new song about Morrissey
  • Širom: In the Wind of Night, Hard-Fallen Incantations Whisper review – a cacophonous folk kaleidoscope
  • Hannah Frances: Nested in Tangles review – ramshackle arrangements power restless revelations
  • Beethoven 5 Vol 4: Salvatore di Sciarrino album review – classical weight, contemporary subtlety
  • BBCSO/Stasevska: Become Ocean review – elemental, unsettling and beautiful
  • The Hermes Experiment: Tree album review – vivid voices and bold textures from inventive ensemble

Contact www.freakyparty.net   Terms of Use