GORDON PARSONS is bowled over by a skilfully stripped down and powerfully relevant production of Hamlet
Soviet/fascist orchestral face-off
SIMON DUFF is thrilled by the provocative pairing of two major works from a time of profound ideological opposition
In which we accompany the Bard into Cymru to meet his musical accomplices, young and old
SUE TURNER is inspired by the example of a librarian’s struggle to confront the book-banning movement
ANDY HEDGECOCK relishes two exhibitions that blur the boundaries between art and community engagement
The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE reviews I Am Martin Parr, September Says, The Monkey, and The Gorge
RITA DI SANTO applauds a touching and witty opener that touches a hot topic in Germany: the future of the immigrant population
SIMON PARSONS is discomfited by an unflichingly negative portrait of motherhood and its trials
Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphony No 3 / Carl Orff, Carmina Burana
The Barbican, London
A HEADY mix of Dmitri Shostakovich and Carl Orff made for a night of power and drama, exploring extremes of melody nature and history, provided by the London Symphony Orchestra and guests at London’s Barbican.
Orff’s Carmina Burana and Shostakovich’s Symphony No 3 are two major orchestral choral works written within six years of each other, both at times of unprecedented social and political upheaval.
More from this author
The phrase “cruel to be kind” comes from Hamlet, but Shakespeare’s Prince didn’t go in for kidnap, explosive punches, and cigarette deprivation. Tam is different.
ANGUS REID deconstructs a popular contemporary novel aimed at a ‘queer’ young adult readership
A landmark work of gay ethnography, an avant-garde fusion of folk and modernity, and a chance comment in a great interview
ANGUS REID applauds the inventive stagecraft with which the Lyceum serve up Stevenson’s classic, but misses the deeper themes
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New releases from The The, Memo Comma and Anna Gourari/Orchestra della Svizzera italiana
Associate artists at LSO St Luke’s, Tangram’s latest work is a music and dance journey exploring the story of two important Chinese 19th century heroines, Afong Moy and Qiu Jin. SIMON DUFF reports
SIMON DUFF admires new work at the LSO Jerwood Composer + Showcase that employs rap, sampling and live music to explore unashamedly political themes