© Alex Burns
Last week, Colin led the Hallé in a self-curated festival celebrating the music of Steve Reich, as part of their ‘The Hallé Presents …’ series. Performing to sold-out audiences, Colin conducted the orchestra across two concerts, as well as performing a chamber programme alongside Hallé musicians and students from the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham’s School.
Described as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event, Colin has received unanimous critical acclaimed:
'A sublime tribute to a master of minimalism. Music with this range of appeal has surely attained the status of classic, and the wonderful performances of six of Reich’s works explained why... In the evening’s biggest piece, The Four Sections, we heard a stark ritual quality and solemn joy… the pulsating, radiant close, brought to a climax with staggering energy by Currie.'
The Telegraph ★★★★★
'The Hallé’s celebration of the 87-year-old composer, curated by percussionist Colin Currie, opened with masterly performances of his intricate works, including the shimmeringly beautiful Music for Ensemble and Orchestra… Tightly corralled by Currie – a conductor with a percussionist’s instinct for meter – shimmering washes of sound and aching melodies coalesced in moments of iridescent splendour.'
The Guardian ★★★★
'The music embarks on a great arc shape, expanding and slowing down, as if time itself were stretching out. It was brilliantly done by the Hallé players with Currie conducting. We also saw the accompanying abstract film by Gerhard Richter and Corinna Belz. Vivid pixel stripes morphed into rich patterns, saturated with colour and texture. The music mirrored its transformations — the effect was mesmerising.'
The Times ★★★★
'The processes at work in The Desert Music are as active and purposeful as anything in Sibelius or Bruckner... it’s a symphony, one of the greatest of our time and it took this electrifying live performance to put me straight about Reich.'
The Spectator
'The orchestra and Currie treated the sold-out house with once-in-a-lifetime set-list, featuring some of Reich’s most extraordinary works in outstanding performances… A dream-team performance from the members of the Hallé and Currie, Reich/Richter was quite a feat. Ever subtly interlocked and beautifully balanced, each musical phrase and rhythmic configuration was given much thought and care, mounting to superlative reading of a genuine masterpiece.'
Adventures in Music
© Alex Burns