Important new American piano concerto première in Wheeling

By Phillip Nones, 21 May 2016

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Reviewed at Capitol Theatre, Wheeling on 20 May 2016

Chabrier, Joyeuse marche

Fauré, Pelléas et Mélisande, Op.80

Fuchs, Piano Concerto "Spiritualist"

Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique, Op.14

André Raphel, Conductor

Wheeling Symphony

Jeffrey Biegel, Piano

Morlot brings renewal to Seattle in spring-inspired program

Erica Miner, 24th October

A conductor's fascination with the spring-themed works of two contemporary composers leads back in time to the Spring Symphony of Robert Schumann.

****1

Sergei Krylov's memorable Mendelssohn with the Sofia Philharmonic

Peter Connors, 24th October

At the Belgrade Music Festival, the Sofia Philharmonic and conductor Nayden Todorov also impress in a gripping account of Rachmaninov's Third Symphony.

****1

New Dimensions from SCO: Richter + Glass + Adams

David Smythe, 23rd October

David Brophy conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in works by Richter, Adams and Glass. Mari Samuelsen leads and directs in Richter’s Recomposed: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons.

****1

Pure cold water: Hoving conducts a very fine Sibelius 6 in Edinburgh

Mark Pullinger, 23rd October

Emilia Hoving conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the music of her leading countryman, after leader Maya Iwabuchi plays Brahms.

***11

Fire and substance from Yuja Wang at the Musikverein

Chanda VanderHart, 23rd October

Yuja Wang tackles piano concertos by Bartók and Barber – plus three encores – to delight the Musikverein audience before the Wiener Symphoniker plays persuasive Schumann.

****1

Compelling Rachmaninov from Karina Canellakis with Pittsburgh Symphony

Sam Jacobson, 23rd October

Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances brings colorful, compelling playing as Karina Canellakis makes her Pittsburgh Symphony debut in a program of strikingly varied musical styles.

***11

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Phillip Nones

Phillip Nones studied piano from age six, also playing percussion in educational and civic groups before moving to a rural area of the USA in 1990, where performance opportunities were few. Recently he has started performing again, participating in “side-by-side” orchestra performances and playing percussion in the World Doctors' Orchestra. His personal collection of music includes over 5,000 classical albums in all formats (CDs, LPs, 78s), plus downloads. In his professional life, he heads up a marketing communications firm in the state of Maryland. He blogs about the French composer Florent Schmitt here.