Musical resilience from Pekka Kuusisto and Katarina Barruk at the Proms

Pekka Kuusisto &
members of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
© Andy Paradise

Katarina Barruk (vocals)

Arnljot Nordvik (guitar)

Christer Jørgensen (drums)

Norwegian Chamber Orchestra 

Pekka Kuusisto (violin/director)

BBC Proms
7.30pm, Sunday 31 August, 2025
Royal Albert Hall, London

★★★★

Katarina Barruk
© Andy Paradise

Barruk, Katarina (b.1994): Ruhttuo intro

                                          Miärraládda (arr. Sonstad, Øystein (b.1970)/Nordvik, Arnljot)

                                           Niäguoh (arr. Stangness, Christo, orch. Sonstad, Øystein)

                                           Sådna jahttá - Part 2: Maadter-aahka (arr. Nyman, Marzi (b.1979))

                                           Ij gåssieke (arr. Sonstad, Øystein/Nordvik, Arnjlot)

                                           Dállie (arr. Buene, Eivind (b.1973))

Tippett, Michael (1905-1998): Divertimento on Sellinger's Round - A Lament (2nd movement)

Philip Glass (b.1994): String Quartet No. 3, 'Mishima', 5. Blood Oath (arr. Kuusisto, Pekka (b.1976))

Kendall, Hannah (b.1984): Weroon Weroon (UK premiere)

Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Chorale prelude 'O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde gross', BWV 622 (arr. Reger, Max (1873-1916))

Shaw, Caroline (b.1982): Plan & Elevation, 5. The Beech Tree (arr. Murphy, Ben/Shaw, Caroline)

Pärt, Arvo (b.1935): Fratres - version for solo violin, string orchestra and percussion

Shostakovich, Dmitri (1906-1975): Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a (arr. of String Quartet No. 8 by Barshai, Rudolf (1924-2010))

Encore:

Lennon, John (1940-1980): Imagine (arr. Kuusisto, Pekka)

Katarina Barruk
© Andy Paradise

Barruk:

'Barruk’s striking voice shifted from pure tone to nasal growls, then high and wispy, across a huge range'.

'Barruk’s voice rose high over lamenting strings, then fell into low creaks, with a clear exhortation to never surrender'.

Kendall:

'Kuusisto’s glassy rapid tremolo buzzed and scraped, emitting strange harmonics, and rising and falling in dynamic, before grinding to a halt, adding to the evening’s diversity of sound worlds'.

Pärt:

'NCO moved together with instinctive ensemble, the violins swaying as one. Kuusisto’s solo variations sang out with clarity and improvisatory expression'.

Shostakovich:

'Kuusisto and the NCO let rip with the fourth movement’s violent stabbing knocks ... The second movement's DSCH motif and wild dance and the third's macabre waltz were suitably terrifying'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.

Pekka Kuusisto & the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
© Nick Boston

Refreshing Beethoven from Benedetti, Kuusisto and the Philharmonia

Nicola Benedetti, Pekka Kuusisto
& the Philharmonia
© Camilla Greenwell

Nicola Benedetti (violin)

Pekka Kuusisto (conductor)

Philharmonia Orchestra

7.30pm, Monday 30 November (streamed online)

Royal Festival Hall, London

★★★

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): 

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36

Violin Concerto:

Benedetti ‘certainly paid close attention to detail, whilst never getting bogged down ... , always maintaining a refreshing lightness of touch, and a sense of the overall picture’. 

‘Her tone was open, feathery and almost breathy, certainly never weighty or cloying’.

‘The oboe ‘cadenzas’ ... in the finale were great fun, and gave a light frisson to proceedings, all part of a bright and fresh overall performance’.  

Pekka Kuusisto & the Philharmonia
© Camilla Greenwell 

Symphony No. 2:

‘Ensemble was tight, with precision in the playing, and strong attention to dynamics throughout‘.

‘Highlights included ... a gracefully shaped second movement, with a light swagger to its lilting dance section’.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.

 

Sparkling 'Music of the Spheres' full of cosmic energy from Kuusisto, Collon and Aurora Orchestra

Aurora Orchestra/Nicholas Collon
© Nick Rutter

Pekka Kuusisto (violin)
Aurora Orchestra
Nicholas Collon (conductor)
Samuel West (narrator)
Sam Swallow (singer, piano)

Wednesday 5 June, 2019

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

★★★★★




Max Richter: Journey Song (CP1919)
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 'Razumovsky' (Molto adagio)
Thomas Adès: Violin Concerto, 'Concentric Paths'
Encore:
Nico Muhly: Material in E flat, from Drones and Violin Part 1
Mozart: Symphony no. 41 in C major, K551 'Jupiter'
Encore:
David Bowie: Life on Mars

Pekka Kuusisto, Aurora Orchestra/Nicholas Collon
© Nick Rutter

Richter:
'The orchestra showed impressive command and ensemble, no mean feat with relatively little clear rhythmic pulse, in the dark and from memory!'

'Kuusisto is a striking presence and a soloist who clearly relishes in a collaborative process with other musicians'.

Mozart:
'The communication between the players, released from the confines of chairs and music stands, was so evident'.
'I’m not sure I want to see it performed any other way for some time to come'.

'Endless column inches are written on regular basis about how to keep audiences engaged and bring new punters into the concert hall: the Aurora Orchestra are just getting on with making it happen, and long may they continue'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.

Aurora Orchestra/Nicholas Collon
© Nick Rutter