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REVIEWS
Manchester Camerata @ Wigmore Hall
Director: Caroline Pether
'So, Manchester Camerata playing live (at Wigmore Hall tonight) were a bit of a revelation. Technicolour sounds, warmth, depth, dynamism and an unapologetic commitment to packing their programme full of atmosphere, feeling and blistering talent.
[...]
The strings of Manchester Camerata worked ferociously hard creating a sound world for Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony that sounded like it was created by 50 players not the 17 on stage. Their performance was fierce, sombre, urgent and electrifying.
[...]
Sincere introductions from the group’s highly engaged leader Caroline Pether gave the event an unexpectedly intimate feel. Loved all of it. And I don’t say that often either.'
Thoroughly Good Classical Music
Manchester Camerata @ Buxton International Festival
Director: Caroline Pether
5-stars
‘The highlight of the Buxton International Festival this year was the concert given by the strings of the Manchester Camerata. […] The orchestra played without a conductor, directed by leader Caroline Pether, and their playing was simply superb throughout. Individual players gave polished solos equalling the fine performance of the whole orchestra. […] There was an excitement and infectious enthusiasm throughout this wonderful performance of the Tchaikovsky (Souvenir de Florence) – as in the rest of this excellent programme.’
Bachtrack
Manchester Camerata @ Nevill Holt Opera Winter Festival
Director: Caroline Pether
5-stars
'Throughout the evening, Manchester Camerata proved just what a smart outfit it is. The concert involved the ensemble’s string players, and their notably clean, crisp and precise style of playing in itself enabled them to capture every last subtlety and detail in the pieces. [...] This was a performance that persuaded on every level'.
Music OMH
Mozart Piano Concertos 22 and 23, Vol. 6 (Chandos)
Piano: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet
Conductor: Gábor Takács-Nagy
Manchester Camerata
5-stars
‘They are simply really good, in a way that’s easy to thrill but hard to describe. If I had to name one quality, it’s that pianist and orchestra and conductor are absolutely equal partners. These concertos are full of tangy orchestral flavours, and the players really make us savour them […] Here Bavouzet and the orchestra are poised and disciplined but also create that sense of mad unstoppable energy that really sets the music alight.’
The Telegraph
Sinfonia Cymru @ Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Conductor: Jonathan Bloxham
5-stars
'Sinfonia Cymru are a great watch. Some of the members seem to transform when they start playing, such as the leader of the string section. Every phrase is executed with such flamboyance, enhanced by her passion. [...] All instrument sections had an individuality, their unique styles played with such fluidity as a group, embracing the music with such enjoyment. It allowed their audience to be taken along and transported with them.'
Buzz Magazine
Zelkova Quartet @ Edinburgh Festival
'Janacek’s String Quartet No 2 ‘Intimate Letters’ was played with a remarkable zeal and intensity by the Zelkova Quartet. The alliance between players, who met at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music, clearly demonstrated a deep knowledge both of Janacek’s potent and exhilarating score and of each other’s musicianship. [...] the quartet fully translated the composer’s ardent desires to the audience.'
The Herald Scotland
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