CBSO/Yamada review – apocalyptic and soul-shaking Mahler opens the season
Orchestral discipline was tight and solo contributions distinguished in Kazuki Yamada and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s finely judged interpretation of Mahler’s transcendent Resurrection Symphony
Phaedra Ensemble: The Music of Meredith Monk review – fleeting rough edges amid polished beauty
Works by the not-quite-minimalist composer’s included her Realm Variations and quartet Stringsongs in a compelling concert
Exaudi: Pocket Universe album review – virtuoso vocals with a joyfully bonkers bent
Four substantial, eclectic works written for James Weeks’ ensemble are brought together here, encompassing swooping folk phrasing, delicate harmonising and exuberant stylistic skill
August 2026
Les Siècles/Lehmann La Damnation de Faust review – vivid colour, soaring solos and a sharp-suited demon
Period instrument grain and an energised Jakob Lehmann did a fair job with Berlioz’s concert setting of the drama, but the hall’s murky acoustic buried some of the sparkle
July 2026
Three Choirs festival review – impressive opening salvo full of crackling energy and exuberant fireworks
A packed crowd greeted this year’s curtain raiser for a delightfully Tiggerish premiere of Gavin Higgins’ Fanfare Americana, an exhilarating Elgar’s First and a joyful rendition of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast
May 2026
The south London community where ‘pioneering’ scholarship choristers are made
St John the Divine, Kennington has built one of UK’s largest youth choral programmes in area marked by deprivation
April 2026
‘If Martin Luther hadn’t been a musician, the course of music history might have been very different’
Messiah album review – Whelan takes Handel’s oratorio back to its beginnings
March 2026
The Kingdom: Oxford Bach Choir, BSO/Nicholas review – Elgar’s unloved oratorio sounds expansive and convincing
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Oxford Bach Choir and a fine quartet of soloists made the case for Elgar’s oratorio
December 2025
MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio review – a magical choral performance
A Ceremony of Carols review – joy and Alleluias for Cardiff Polyphonic Choir
The Guardian documentary
Threshold: the choir who sing to the dying - documentary
‘Highlight of my week’: how community choirs have changed people’s lives
November 2025
Huddersfield Contemporary Music festival review – ghostly echoes, fearless voices and the rattle of milk frothers
World and UK premieres launched the opening concerts of this compelling gala of new sounds, mixing precise ensemble play with electronic tracks and unlikely percussion sound effects
September 2025
Bangor Cathedral choir suspended after singing ‘inappropriate’ hymn
In latest scandal embroiling the Welsh cathedral, choir performed piece during holy communion to protest about job losses
August 2025
Monastic music that survived Henry VIII’s dissolution brought back to life
Little Trouble Girls review – monstrous choirmaster spikes a sublime Catholic coming-of-age tale
July 2025
Brecon choir festival brings community singers and choral scholars together
In its fourth year, the celebration of song and choral music ranged from Carmina Burana to a session in the pub
