BBCSO/Oramo review – Kaija Saariaho’s final work receives poignant UK premiere
The Finnish composer’s spectral four-movement Hush was the centrepiece of a programme based on themes of death and transcendence – a moving eulogy to her genius
Le Piano Symphonique festival review – high drama with Argerich and friends
Evgeny Kissin, Beatrice Rana, Yunchan Lim and more dazzled at this flourishing young festival, but the week belonged to the great Martha Argerich
Jacob Collier/Chris Thile/Britten Sinfonia review – Bach to Beatles and mass harmonies as virtuosic pair delight
An enjoyably varied programme took in Piazzolla, Samuel Barber and Queen with Suzie Collier conducting the Britten Sinfonia, but the musical fireworks were all courtesy of her son Jacob and mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile
Smetana: Má Vlast; Symphonic Works album review – bristles with energy and vivid intent
Petr Popelka brings assured intensity to Smetana’s homage to his homeland, but it’s his appreciation of the Czech composer’s other works that sets this apart
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons album review – Pioro’s ‘ode to the imagination’ of Vivaldi has interest but also indulgence
The violinist’s rethinking of Vivaldi’s best known work includes four new poems by (and read by) Michael Morpurgo but, placed together at the start of the disc, the music and poetry feels disconnected
Mariam Batsashvili review – star pianist takes Romantics to another level without frills
The Georgian musician was at her compelling best in Brahms and Liszt in a recital that showcased intensity, flair and poise
Claire van Kampen obituary
Composer, playwright and theatre director who often worked with her husband, the actor Mark Rylance
Elgar Howarth obituary
Conductor of contemporary opera and and trailblazing force in the tradition-bound world of brass band music
Orchestra of Futurist Noise Intoners/Ensemble Klang review – anarchic energy
A very unconventional set of instruments brought a touch of chaos to this esteemed venue as it hosted the London contemporary music festival’s finale
Love Life review – surreal Kurt Weill musical skips through the decades with flair
This time-hopping oddity rarely gets an outing, but Opera North’s jazzy large-scale production makes the most of its vaudeville glitz
LPO/Jurowski review – a fervent treatment of two works rich in intensity
Haydn’s Mass in Time of War met John Adams’s elegy for victims of 9/11 in this dramatic concert, superbly controlled by Vladimir Jurowski
Claire van Kampen, theatre director and composer, dies aged 71
Wife of actor Mark Rylance worked in various roles at Shakespeare’s Globe and had been diagnosed with cancer
The week in classical: LSO/ Rattle; CBSO/ Volkov; Jenůfa – review
Simon Rattle celebrates his big birthday with two striking world premieres; the sea meets surrealism in Satie’s centenary year. Plus, intense Janáček and a rousing Covent Garden welcome
Sacconi Quartet/Festival Voices review – Riley’s Sun Rings shine less brightly
Terry Riley’s 10-movement suite for live amplified string quartet and voices was given a meticulous performance but the work feels dated today and, at 90 minutes, outstayed its welcome
Hallé/Wong review – a thrilling and radiant Mahler 2 sees the orchestra at the height of its powers
Bridgewater Hall, ManchesterNew principal conductor Kahchun Wong held the balance between restraint and muscle and, with soloists Sarah Connolly and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, made this ‘Resurrection’ unforgettable