GRAMOPHONE Review: Sondheim – Anyone Can Whistle (Studio Cast Recording): Maria Friedman, Julia McKenzie, National Symphony Orchestra/Edwards
I smell a collector’s item. This cracking recording of Stephen’s Sondheim’s second Broadway show as composer/lyricist, Anyone Can Whistle – complete down to every last dance break and entrance and exit cues – was recorded at Abbey…
GRAMOPHONE Review: Sleeping Beauty – A Dramatic Symphony: Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra/Järvi
Sleeping Beauty – A Dramatic Symphony? Alarm bells start to ring. One of the greatest classical ballets in the repertoire – some might say the greatest – surely needs no reinvention. And however well you think you…
GRAMOPHONE: From Where I Sit – January 2021
During the best part of the last year we’ve come to appreciate, indeed rely upon, the technology, endeavour, and resource that has kept the music coming through lockdown after lockdown and seen a comparatively new phrase become…
GRAMOPHONE: From Where I Sit – December 2020
Like many I was thoroughly absorbed by John Bridcut’s touching film about Bernard Haitink – The Enigmatic Maestro. Not entirely sure about the title because what you see is surely what you get with Haitink: a decent,…
COMPARING NOTES: Laura Pitt-Pulford in conversation
Musical theatre star Laura Pitt-Pulford discusses Parade, Mack & Mabel, Falsettos and Flowers for Mrs Harris, her love of Sondheim, the thrill of new writing and the joy of new motherhood with Edward Seckerson. Enjoy!… [Read More]
GRAMOPHONE Review: Britten Sinfonia da Requiem – City of Birmingham Symphony/Gražinytė-Tyla Orchestra
Capitalising on Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and the CBSO’s ‘Record of the Year’ triumph at this year’s Gramophone Awards this purely digital release – a growing trend – gives notice of a two-CD release (scheduled for March next year)…
GRAMOPHONE Review: Shostakovich Symphony No. 11 ‘The Year 1905’ – London Philharmonic Orchestra/Jurowski
Hard on the heels of the thrilling John Storgards/ BBC Philharmonic account on Chandos comes another performance I was lucky enough to experience live in December of last year. And a marked distinction in approach is immediately…
GRAMOPHONE: From Where I Sit – November 2020
Among the many treasured recordings that I have found refuge in during a spring, summer and autumn of discontent for live music and theatre this year a souvenir DVD of the fabulous 2005 David McVicar staging of…
COMPARING NOTES: Jenna Russell in conversation
Olivier Award-winning West End and Broadway star, Jenna Russell discusses the challenges and rewards of performing works by Stephen Sondheim and Jason Robert Brown, and the importance of nurturing innovative new musicals with Edward Seckerson.… [Read More]
Michael Ball: Voice of the People
The Independent Monday 14 April 2014 Michael Ball seems to have it all – the finest show voice of his generation, charm, good looks, swooning fans. But? In Edward Seckerson’s opinion, there are no buts. Careers in…
