Classicalsource 6/04/2018 : Brian Schembri conducts Karl Fiorini's Pentimenti, Honegger 2 and Shostakovich 14
…The European Union Chamber Orchestra value working with Schembri, giving him a warmer, bigger response than you might expect with a bottom-end section of just four cellos and two double basses. Across five rehearsals, he encouraged a relaxed, chamber-like mood, encouraging everyone to give of their best, open to discussion, benefitting from the urgent leadership and temperament of Hans-Peter Hofmann, the sort of player who's good to have on your side. His solos and those of the other principals were noteworthy. The two youthful percussionist likewise proved admirable in both Fiorini's piece and the Shostakovich, the echoed/repeated notes of the bells in the latter displaying high dynamic artistry and the exchanges of the fifth movement setting the scene with a hollow rasp. Emel Hasanoğlu's celesta was refined, each metallic glint poised with sensitivity. Tutti-playing throughout was incisive and biting, … Ateş Orga - Review in full
Nottinghampost 18/4/2018 : European Union Chamber Orchestra bring elegance and charm to the Royal Concert Hall
… This wasn't an evening of bleeding hearts or tortured souls but rather one whose elegance, charm and gloriously refined playing were guaranteed to raise the spirits.
Respighi Ancient Airs and Dances - …. under the sensitive direction of Hans-Peter Hofmann, they sounded delightfully graceful, with sweet, delicate string tone.
Another work written to please was Schubert's 5th Symphony , a delightfully graceful work of unassuming charm and tuneful brilliance, including at its heart a slow movement that is a glorious outpouring of melody. Hans-Peter Hofmann's approach ensured well-judged pacing, sensitive phrasing and much beautiful playing from the orchestra. Inner detail was allowed to shine through in a performance which combined precision with affection. William Ruff - Review in full
dp24.co.uk 26/03/2018: A packed Norwich Theatre Royal enjoyed a superb performance by the European Union Chamber Orchestra
Directed from the violin by Eva Stegeman, they began with an excellent account of Bach’s 3rd Brandenburg Concerto, tempi perfectly judged, textures clear; a performance with a real feeling of spontaneity.
These same qualities were evident in Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major, K414, …, with a notably eloquent andante, and perfect rapport between soloist and orchestra.
Finally, the young Australian violinist Emily Sun was the stunning soloist and director in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. … Excellent playing from the orchestra, with Alessandro Sanguinetti’s cello continuo especially fine. Frank Cliff - Review in full
Cambridge Independent 21/02/2018 : Last night’s concert was smaller in dimensions than previous shows in the Classical Concert Series, but certainly not in scope, grandeur or the impact that it made.
The European Union Chamber Orchestra - 19 musicians from across the EU, on strings, oboe and horns, and playing without a conductor - managed to fill the venue with gloriously rich yet restrained sound, bringing us first Handel’s Suite from the Water Music in F major. Uplifting and intricate, this was an inspiring opening to the evening and a worthy prelude to what was undoubtedly the main attraction.
Mozart Symphony No 29 in A major - Written when Mozart too was just 18, the beauty, detail and perfection of this symphony was burnished and brought out so wonderfully by the small band of performers that the last piece of the evening felt every bit as spectacular as the first half – no mean feat. This was a superb evening that brought us some of the very best music from the classical canon and a chance to see a supremely talented young musician in the early days of what seems set to be a long and eminent career. Jude Clark - Review in full
Cambridge-news.co.uk 7/04/2017: The EU Chamber Orchestra "serenades" the Corn Exchange with Mozart and Tchaikovsky
Mozart’s Serenade no.3 in D major K.185 - …. Each movement showcased to the utmost the musicality, unity and timing of the orchestra’s strings and wind sections.
Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings - …, we were witnessing here musicianship of the highest order within a programme that had been carefully conceived and designed . …Throughout the evening’s performances the EU orchestra had been as near to perfection as it’s possible to get, and it is certain that, with their swiftest possible return, they’ll ensure it won’t turn out to be too hard a Brexit for us after all. John Gilroy -
Review in full
top |