PANIC NOT – We have your weekend covered
It’s that time of year again. February the 14th is drawing ever closer and cupid is twanging his bow threateningly. Romance means different things to different people. For some it may just be a cold beer while watching TV at the end of a long day, to others it’s a grader gesture. Some are happily loved up, while others are cynical. Whether you have love in your life or not chances are you’ll still want some top-notch music this week, and this is where we come in.
As well as St Valentine – this week really belongs to Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker. It’s Rattle’s 60th birthday and he’s marking it with a week long London residency between the Barbican and the Southbank Centre.
Rattle is due to step down from the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2018, so my advice is catch them while you can. They are truly at the top of their game, the 6th busiest orchestra in the world according to this years Bachtrack statistics. The residency includes, 5 major concerts, chamber concerts and outreach work.
With concerts and events still going on every day this week, beg borrow or steal a ticket if you possibly can!
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk//whatson/festivals-series/berliner-philharmoniker-2015
Fri 13th Feb
East London Music Group – The Soldier’s Tale
http://www.eastlondonmusicgroup.co.uk/events/2015/2/14/g3zvobfjzim0m4e3oiivse81vxcyvz
Tickets available online:Â http://www.qmul.ac.uk/events/items/2015/145610.html
The weekend begins tonight. Take shelter from the rain and into East London Music Group’s The Soldier’s Tale. The East London Group is an exciting new group, born in 2014, whose aim it is to bring high-quality-low-cost music to communities in London’s East End. Starring young and up and coming musicians, with a fresh take on a classic, this should be an evening to remember. This performance consists of a new adaption of Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale accompanied by some of the works that were influential to Stravinsky in his early years.
And if you fancy getting to know Stravinsky’s masterpiece a little better you can pick up a score here.
http://www.musicroom.com/se/id_no/07241/details.html
OR
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/lpo-150213-80917?dt=2015-02-13
London Philharmonic Orchestra – Rachmaninoff: Inside Out
If you’re looking for something more assured then why not make your way down to the Royal Festival Hall. Where you can catch the much talked abut Vasily Petrenko, conducting our own London Philharmonic Orchestra. On the bill is Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff giving the evening an all round soviet theme.
PLUS Free pre-concert event – Â 6.15pm Royal Festival Hall, with Vasily Petrenko himself exploring the impact that Rachmaninoff had on his own development.
OR
http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/royal-philharmonic-orchestra-150213/
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Valentine’s Classics
If it’s romance you’re after then this is the show for you. Conductor Grzegorz Nowak brings you selections of ballet and operas best offerings. Snuggle up next to the one you love in the warm and bright atmosphere of the Cadogan Hall, whilst you let the wounds of Mozart, Tchaikovsky and many more envelop you
OR
http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on-book-tickets/music/aurora-orchestra-pulse-steve-reich-and-his-influences#.VN4HOcbOVQO
Aurora Orchestra: Pulse – Steve Reich and his Influences
Minimalism Unwrapped
Choice, choice, and more choice seems an apt description for this Friday night. If romance isn’t you thing and none of the above tickles your fancy then you might just find what you are looking for at the Kings Place. As part of their brilliant Minimalism Unwrapped series the Kings Place’s Resident Orchestra, Aurora, use the concept of pulse as the springboard for this unsurprisingly eclectic programme.
Sat 14th Feb
http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/LMA/valentinesday
 Valentine’s Day Opera Gala
So it’s Saturday – the big day – and somehow you’ve forgotten to book the show. Fear not, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields is here to save the day, with a romantic evening of scenes and arias from operas greats. Luxuriate in the romance, passion and joy that only opera can bring.
OR
http://www.sjss.org.uk/events/royal-orchestral-society
Royal Orchestral Society – Valentine’s Day Concert
Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich seem to be the men of the moment this valentine’s day. If you somehow couldn’t go to the RFH on Friday or you want more then you’re in luck. Conductor Orlando Jopling with cellist Tim Hugh bring you an evening of romantic masterpieces.
Sun 15th Feb
https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/mozart-grieg-schumann-brahms-and-traditional-201502151930
‘Angels of Dance’ – Martin Fröst
The romance doesn’t have to end here, if you couldn’t get a ticket to the Berliner Philharmoniker or maybe you fancied a more gentle programme. Then the Wigmore Hall is the place for you – where the acclaimed clarinetist Martin Fröst and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields will join forces. On the programme are Mozart, Schumann and Grieg as well as Fröst’s brother Goran’s Klezmer dances.
OR
http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on-book-tickets/music/lcms-primrose-piano-quartet#.VNf8aMbOVQM
London Chamber Music Society – Primrose Piano Quartet
London Chamber Music Series
Last but not least you could head over to the chic surrounding of the Kings Place where the Primrose Piano Quartet will be performing the première of a new work from British composer Anthony Payne, sandwiched between Schumann’s piano quartet and Bram’s A major quartet.