….each work on this bewitching disc is lovingly played, Chamayou finding much beauty and elegance in simple lyrical melodies and gossamer figurations. His tempos are sensitive and supple, with an insouciant rubato which never feels contrived
Author: ArtMuseLondon
ArtMuseLondon is a site for reviews of art exhibitions and music in London, and general cultural musings, written by people with a keen interest and an honest, accessible approach.
Bruce Nauman Lights up Tate Modern
Bruce Nauman is a name in the art world but to date my knowledge of his work was scanty. Having seen his beautiful neon creations I was keen to know more. Before my Tate visit I sought out videos of him on the internet. One of him addressing a crowd in a Swiss gallery caught…
Blackford’s Love Song to Nature
In October 2019 I interviewed composer Richard Blackford in London. I was about to attend a performance of his rich and moving choral work Pièta which premiered at the Cadogan Hall in London to great acclaim. See my review here https://bit.ly/36E60s7 During our meeting I questioned Blackford on his optimum environment for composing. He…
The MOST Specialest Relationship – Grayson Perry turns his acute eye on America
Ever alert to shifting social mores, trends and contemporary obsessions, Grayson Perry – a benign modern-day Hogarth – turns his attention across The Pond in his latest exhibition at Victoria Miro Gallery. Here are various ceramics, a big tapestry and large-scale print all inspired by his road trip in the USA in the summer of…
Concrete jungle: ‘Among the Trees’, Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre
At a time when the outside world desperately needs to recognise the importance of the arts, it’s fitting to see an entire exhibition of art on a mission to engage directly with the outside world. ‘Among the Trees’ includes pieces from 37 artists (based worldwide), working in a range of media: as we wander through…
Mezzo soprano Paula Murrihy takes a walk on the wild side
On her new recording I Will Walk With Love, Irish mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy demonstrates a natural talent for singing German lieder, having honed her linguistic skills at the Frankfurt Opera house. She also sensibly combines Brahms, Mahler and Grieg songs with some Debussy. Les chansons de Bilitis adds a welcome French frisson to the Germanic…
Vladimir Horowitz’s secret life revealed in quirky novel by Lea Singer
Vladimir Horowitz is probably the most famous concert pianist of all time. Wherever he performed, he drew legions of fans right up to his death in 1989. Audiences flocked to see the supernatural energy he brought to Chopin, Liszt, Brahms and other favourites from the romantic repertoire. There is no doubt, he was both virtuoso artist…
Across time and space: Carolyn Sampson & Matthew Wadsworth at Wigmore Hall
Even if there had been no lockdown, and no live music drought to go with it, I think I would have been excited about this concert to borderline-unmanageable levels. Carolyn Sampson is one of my very favourite singers, and – to my delight – has shown a strong focus on art song in recent years,…
Hoffmeister’s Magic Flute
Franz Anton Hoffmeister was surprisingly absent from my Oxford Companion to Music when I tried to look him up for the purposes of this review. This is surprising as his musical output at the end of the 18th century – early 19th century showed him to be quite prolific. He produced a total of sixty-six…
Guitarist Jakob Bangsø and the soul of the troubadour
This month I was very keen to hear Danish guitarist, Jakob Bangsø, play three contemporary guitar concertos on a recording he made with Orchid Classics. First out on the album is Troubadours by composer John Corigliano, written in 1993. Corigliano has a long career behind him but was nervous about writing a guitar concerto. Concerns…
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