Album reviews

Madonna is due to perform two more sold-out shows at the O2 Arena in London in December - if you are going to see her, here is what to expect.

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Madonna: The Celebration Tour review - she made me wait 3 hours, but was it worth it?

The choir performed in Kendal on Saturday, March 25.

The choir performed in Kendal on Saturday, March 25.

'Full of character and verve': Levens Choir give excellent live performance

Amy Macdonald led the 10,000-strong crowd at Lowther Estate

Amy Macdonald led the 10,000-strong crowd at Lowther Estate

Amy Macdonald brought the crowd pleasers in a rousing set

Carole Baskin in the video promoting Wrexham's Rock the Park festival.

Carole Baskin in the video promoting Wrexham's Rock the Park festival.

Netflix star to tune into Cumbrian festival later this week

Martin Roscoe gave a superb performance of Grieg’s ever-popular Piano Concerto and his technical control was masterly

Martin Roscoe gave a superb performance of Grieg’s ever-popular Piano Concerto and his technical control was masterly

REVIEW: Lakeland Sinfonia's 50th anniversary concert was a joyful celebration with many memorable moments

The Bridge String Quartet - which has featured in concerts throughout the world since 1989 - shared the Kendal Midday Concert Club stage with tenor, Charles Daniels, and pianist, Michael Dussek

The Bridge String Quartet - which has featured in concerts throughout the world since 1989 - shared the Kendal Midday Concert Club stage with tenor, Charles Daniels, and pianist, Michael Dussek

REVIEW: polished performances by six very experienced artists

Ashley Fripp is a remarkably controlled pianist and possesses an immaculate technique, producing a powerful sound from the piano when required and a wonderful pianissimo tone in quiet passages

Ashley Fripp is a remarkably controlled pianist and possesses an immaculate technique, producing a powerful sound from the piano when required and a wonderful pianissimo tone in quiet passages

REVIEW: Young pianist gives truly remarkable performance

The choir was in fine voice under the musical direction of its conductor Clive Walkley. Picture: JON GRANGER

The choir was in fine voice under the musical direction of its conductor Clive Walkley. Picture: JON GRANGER

REVIEW: Pro Nobis performance perfectly illustrates wealth of region's cultural talent

The five members of the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble are fine players

The five members of the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble are fine players

REVIEW: All items in the programme were presented with great panache and a breathtaking virtuosity

Royal Northern Sinfonia leader Kyra Humphreys played Philip Glass' The American Four Seasons superbly. Picture: Ben Hughes

Royal Northern Sinfonia leader Kyra Humphreys played Philip Glass' The American Four Seasons superbly. Picture: Ben Hughes

REVIEW: High quality of playing throughout cleverly devised programme

Twenty-year-old mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chandler won the hearts of adjudicators and audience alike with her winning performance in the Keldwyth Award final

Twenty-year-old mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chandler won the hearts of adjudicators and audience alike with her winning performance in the Keldwyth Award final

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Talented singer hits all the right notes in prestigious music awards final

A strong feature of Voice's beautifully blended performance was the group’s communication with the audience and smiles were present throughout. Picture: Zoe Maxwell

A strong feature of Voice's beautifully blended performance was the group’s communication with the audience and smiles were present throughout. Picture: Zoe Maxwell

"A dazzling display of pianistic virtuosity"

I Fagiolini has established a reputation not only for the excellence of their singing but also for a series of imaginative and innovative productions. Picture Matt Brodie

I Fagiolini has established a reputation not only for the excellence of their singing but also for a series of imaginative and innovative productions. Picture Matt Brodie

REVIEW: impeccable and successful singers really know how to communicate with an audience

With voice, accompanied by chitarrone and viola da gamba, Dramma per Musica aims ‘to explore the confluence of emotion and drama through sound and language'

With voice, accompanied by chitarrone and viola da gamba, Dramma per Musica aims ‘to explore the confluence of emotion and drama through sound and language'

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REVIEW: Blackwell proves an ideal venue for award-winning consort

The young singers in the King's Men, from the famous King's College Chapel Cambridge, performed superbly at Kendal's St George's Church

The young singers in the King's Men, from the famous King's College Chapel Cambridge, performed superbly at Kendal's St George's Church

REVIEW: a concert that the audience didn't want to end

Furness Bach Choir, under the baton of their young inspirational Italian conductor Marco Bellasi, provided an evening of truly Italian delicacies and delights

Furness Bach Choir, under the baton of their young inspirational Italian conductor Marco Bellasi, provided an evening of truly Italian delicacies and delights

REVIEW: choristers sung with such confidence and pure enjoyment

During the Levens Choir concert accompanist Ken Forster (pictured) performed two of Czech composer Janacek's piano pieces. Picture: Jon Granger

During the Levens Choir concert accompanist Ken Forster (pictured) performed two of Czech composer Janacek's piano pieces. Picture: Jon Granger

Evening’s excellent music concludes with Finzi’s Clear and Gentle Stream

Pro Nobis Singers 50th anniversary concert was a night to remember and acknowledged the inspired leadership of their conductor, Clive Walkley. Picture: JON GRANGER

Pro Nobis Singers 50th anniversary concert was a night to remember and acknowledged the inspired leadership of their conductor, Clive Walkley. Picture: JON GRANGER

Pro Nobis celebrate a triumphant 50th anniversary concert

A Fabulous Creation

A Fabulous Creation

BOOK REVIEW: An excellent evocation of the LP era

Soprano Tracie Penwarden singing one of her solo parts in Ambleside and District Choral Society’s glowing performance of Haydn's The Creation, under the baton of Jolyon Dodgson

Soprano Tracie Penwarden singing one of her solo parts in Ambleside and District Choral Society’s glowing performance of Haydn's The Creation, under the baton of Jolyon Dodgson

Glowing performance of Haydn’s perennially popular oratorio

Out Of The Blue

Out Of The Blue

New greatest hits package - plus three new tracks - from Mike + the Mechanics

Kendal South Choir, under the expert direction of their new conductor, Geoffrey Field, sang with confidence throughout the evening

Kendal South Choir, under the expert direction of their new conductor, Geoffrey Field, sang with confidence throughout the evening

Kendal South Choir rise to the occasion

As always the understanding and interpretation of the music, and the attention to detail brought to the programme by Levens conductor, Ian Jones (pictured), was much in evidence

As always the understanding and interpretation of the music, and the attention to detail brought to the programme by Levens conductor, Ian Jones (pictured), was much in evidence

Works were ideal choice for a concert designed for Eastertide

Concerto violinist Lucy Gould well known to audiences from her performances in the eponymous Gould Piano Trio

Concerto violinist Lucy Gould well known to audiences from her performances in the eponymous Gould Piano Trio

Players put the pedal to the floor and kept the music driving along

Alongside performances of major repertoire, the Primrose Piano Quartet has uncovered long-neglected music by 20th century English composers

Alongside performances of major repertoire, the Primrose Piano Quartet has uncovered long-neglected music by 20th century English composers

In spite of the change of venue, concert was much enjoyed by all

Gabriela Montero's skill as an improviser led to a dazzling display of virtuosity

Gabriela Montero's skill as an improviser led to a dazzling display of virtuosity

World class pianist performs dazzling display of virtuosity

Clare Hammond displayed her dazzling technique and had complete control of the piano

Clare Hammond displayed her dazzling technique and had complete control of the piano

Young pianist's amazing display of virtuosity and musicality lifted the spirits

The Magnard Ensemble is a hugely talented group whose infectious enthusiasm for music came across in every item in their well-planned Kendal Midday Concert Club programme

The Magnard Ensemble is a hugely talented group whose infectious enthusiasm for music came across in every item in their well-planned Kendal Midday Concert Club programme

Delightful concert performed by a hugely talented group

The Royal Northern Sinfonia leader Bradley Creswick is the Kendal Midday Concert Club's new president

The Royal Northern Sinfonia leader Bradley Creswick is the Kendal Midday Concert Club's new president

Fine works in the chamber music repertoire expertly performed by five superb players

Pianist, Suling King, Catriona McDermid, bassoon, and oboe player, Mana Shibata, immediately engaged with the Keswick Music Society audience by coming on stage with lots of smiles and suitable introductions to their pieces

Pianist, Suling King, Catriona McDermid, bassoon, and oboe player, Mana Shibata, immediately engaged with the Keswick Music Society audience by coming on stage with lots of smiles and suitable introductions to their pieces

Trio display amazing individual technical abilities as well as superb ensemble playing

Organist, Ian Pattinson, who produced lovely orchestral sounds and colours from the magnificent Lancaster Priory organ during the Lancaster and District Choral Society performance

Organist, Ian Pattinson, who produced lovely orchestral sounds and colours from the magnificent Lancaster Priory organ during the Lancaster and District Choral Society performance

Choral society concert: glorious music ably performed

Pianist Llyr Williams magisterial performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto drew enthusiastic applause from the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society audience

Pianist Llyr Williams magisterial performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto drew enthusiastic applause from the Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society audience

Orchestra's performance of Mozart’s operatic overture sparkled

The Keswick concert featured dazzling violin playing from the La Serenissma director Adrian Chandler. Picture Eric Richmond.

The Keswick concert featured dazzling violin playing from the La Serenissma director Adrian Chandler. Picture Eric Richmond.

Audience loved both the music and the ensemble's vivacious and expressive presentation

The Ferio Saxophone Quartet gave a hugely enjoyable concert with so much to admire

The Ferio Saxophone Quartet gave a hugely enjoyable concert with so much to admire

Sax quartet give beautifully controlled performance revealing musicianship of the highest order

Oysterband whip up a storm at The Brewery

Oysterband whip up a storm at The Brewery

More than 30 gigs you could go to see this week

Scottish virtuoso guitarist Sean Shibe played with a clear tone, minimal string scrape and great musicality

Scottish virtuoso guitarist Sean Shibe played with a clear tone, minimal string scrape and great musicality

Sinfonia's 'Spanish' evening did not disappoint

Kendal Midday Concert Club's third recital was given by cellist, Christian Elliott, and pianist, Robin Green

Kendal Midday Concert Club's third recital was given by cellist, Christian Elliott, and pianist, Robin Green

Midday concert society audience enjoys yet another fine recital by two highly experienced performers

Japanese cellist Jian Wang gave a beautiful account of Dvorak’s much loved Cello Concerto; his technique was breathtaking

Japanese cellist Jian Wang gave a beautiful account of Dvorak’s much loved Cello Concerto; his technique was breathtaking

REVIEW: a concert that will surely live long in the memory of everyone who heard it

The Dunedin Consort has a well-earned international reputation for its authentic presentations

The Dunedin Consort has a well-earned international reputation for its authentic presentations

REVIEW: sumptuous and captivating performance of 17th Century music

The Allegri’s performance captured the otherworldly quality of the music wonderfully

The Allegri’s performance captured the otherworldly quality of the music wonderfully

REVIEW: memorable opening to midday concert club season

Bradley Creswick, dynamic and charismatic leader of the Royal Northern Sinfonia

Bradley Creswick, dynamic and charismatic leader of the Royal Northern Sinfonia

REVIEW: one of the most impressive features of the concert was the degree of precision achieved by the players

Greg Beardsall conducting the talented National Youth Training Choir at the Richard Whiteley Theatre

Greg Beardsall conducting the talented National Youth Training Choir at the Richard Whiteley Theatre

REVIEW: young singers capture the mood during high standard performance

Cellist, Eliza Millet, is still completing her master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music but she showed during the LDSM recital that her playing has already reached a fully professional standard

Cellist, Eliza Millet, is still completing her master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music but she showed during the LDSM recital that her playing has already reached a fully professional standard

REVIEW: young players give fine performances during their Lake District Summer Music debuts

An early Haydn quartet, Op 20 No 2, opened the Navarra String Quartet's Lake District Summer Music concert at St Thomas’s Church, Kendal. Picture: Sussie Ahlburg

An early Haydn quartet, Op 20 No 2, opened the Navarra String Quartet's Lake District Summer Music concert at St Thomas’s Church, Kendal. Picture: Sussie Ahlburg

REVIEW: magnificent festival return for string quartet

The world class Chilingirian String Quartet graced this year's Lake District Summer Music with an all-Beethoven programme

The world class Chilingirian String Quartet graced this year's Lake District Summer Music with an all-Beethoven programme

REVIEW: commanding festival performance by distinguished ensemble with worldwide reputation

The talented members of the Behn Quartet displayed energy, beauty and brilliance in their playing during their Lake District Summer Music début performance. Picture: Ben Russell

The talented members of the Behn Quartet displayed energy, beauty and brilliance in their playing during their Lake District Summer Music début performance. Picture: Ben Russell

REVIEW: talented young string quartet is clearly one to watch

Soprano soloist, Ailish Tynan, displayed flawless technique and vocal control in Mozart’s Plasmator Deus during the opening concert of this year's Lake District Summer Music festival. Picture: B Ealovega

Soprano soloist, Ailish Tynan, displayed flawless technique and vocal control in Mozart’s Plasmator Deus during the opening concert of this year's Lake District Summer Music festival. Picture: B Ealovega

REVIEW: orchestral chamber music at its best

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REVIEW: excellent evening of heartfelt singing and playing

Young cellist, Yuuki Bouterey-Ishido (pictured), was the star of the show during the triumphant Haffner Orchestra summer concert

Young cellist, Yuuki Bouterey-Ishido (pictured), was the star of the show during the triumphant Haffner Orchestra summer concert

REVIEW: standing ovation for orchestra's triumphant performance

Furness Bach Choir and its musical director Marco Bellasi are to be congratulated on giving the audience such a fine performance of Haydn's popular Creation work

Furness Bach Choir and its musical director Marco Bellasi are to be congratulated on giving the audience such a fine performance of Haydn's popular Creation work

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REVIEW: choir gives fine performance of popular work

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REVIEW: interval conversations were buzzing with praise on every level

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REVIEW: performance of great tenderness and spiritual depth

Kendal South Choir's enviable reputation is secure under their inspiring and enthusiastic conductor, Don Gillthorpe (pictured), who directed his choristers with clarity and precision

Kendal South Choir's enviable reputation is secure under their inspiring and enthusiastic conductor, Don Gillthorpe (pictured), who directed his choristers with clarity and precision

REVIEW: choir never fails to excite and the singing is always of a very high standard

Ambleside and District Choral Society gave a fully committed performance under conductor Jolyon Dodgson's direction (pictured)

Ambleside and District Choral Society gave a fully committed performance under conductor Jolyon Dodgson's direction (pictured)

REVIEW: choir gives rousing performance

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