The Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela were as visceral and exhilarating as ever, says Barry Millington

Simon Rattle conducted the LSO in an innovative French programme that from first to last had the ring of authenticity, says Barry Millington

A stylized, thought-provoking production

Trinity College Cambridge choir delivered singing of the highest calibre, says Barry Millington

Kasper Holten’s production powerfully addresses the theme of poignant memories and regret, says Barry Millington

Edward Gardner once again proved himself a fine conductor of English music, says Barry Millington

Waltraud Meier sang with lifetime’s experience distilled into every phrase, says Barry Millington

The concert proved quite overwhelming, not simply in the volume of sound but in the nervous energy expended, says Barry Millington

Cavalleria Rusticana is deeply conventional, says Barry Millington, but happily Pagliacci has much more going for it

Trpceski’s gift for subtlety of touch and nuances of tonal colouring came into its own during this concert at Barbican Hall, says Barry Millington

Georg Friedrich Haas’s soundworld is realised by a combination of clusters, indeterminate rumbles and ethereal off-stage choral voices, and the effect is sometimes abrasive but often beautiful, says Barry Millington

The drama comes alive only rarely, says Barry Millington

Bieito typically pulls no punches, says Barry Millington

The sheer momentum of the cumulative variations was invigorating, quite apart from the display of dexterity, says Barry Millington

Even in the most muscular items, Nikolai Demidenko’s tone was always ingratiating, says Barry Millington

Any slight compromise in technical control was easily offset by the searching quality of Kovacevich's pianism, says Barry Millington

The dramatic momentum is unflagging, but the darker emotional recesses are explored too in this constantly engaging production, says Barry Millington

Director Benedict Andrews modern update suggests that the next step after Rodolfo’s “Your tiny hand is frozen” is for him to inject Mimi’s arm with heroin – but the concept has little traction, says Barry Millington

This concert at the Barbican Hall demonstrated just how high the calibre of the BBC Symphony Orchestra's players actually is, says Barry Millington

This is an imaginatively semi-staged performance that's paced flawlessly, says Barry Millington