Mike Marsh

THE ‘fire and brimstone’ quality of Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio Elijah inspired the Bournemouth Bach Choir to new heights of choral singing under Tim Hooper’s infectiously charismatic approach.

An all-American programme centred upon the music of Gershwin, and conducted by North Carolina-born David Charles Abell, rounded off the BSO’s Saturday Nights at Seven series with some of the most enjoyable works from across the pond.

There was a buzz of anticipation at this, the BSO’s penultimate concert of the season which uniquely featured Brahms’ first two symphonies, to be followed next day by the last pair.

A HIPPOPOTAMUS is perhaps one of the less likely animals to; metaphorically, rear its head at a BCMS recital.

Designed with Dream Melodies in mind, this concert under the direction of Kirill Karabits extolled those virtues in Mozart and Mendelssohn.

TO paraphrase the parable of the Lost Sheep; there is joy to be had in the return of a lost work into the fold of musical discovery. Although C P E Bach’s 1784 version of the St John Passion may, arguably, not be regarded as a masterpiece, Kirill Karabits’ resurrection of this setting after some 330 years brings justifiable satisfaction.

MAKING his second local appearance with the BSO this week, John Lill worked some more musical mastery into Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No5.

A full house eager to celebrate the 70th birthday of one of the BSO’s most popular and consistent long-time soloists; John Lill rewarded us with an absorbingly mature account of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No2.

What the World Needs Now is Love. Love and sweet harmony; precisely what the excellent quartet of singers gave us, with a real feel for the joy of singing some of Burt Bacharach’s most memorable melodies.

Francesco Piemontesi, an alert and sensitive soloist, brought a sense of class to this BBC Radio 3 live broadcast of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No27-his last-readily securing the delights and delicacies with an effortless assurance.