Review: Two Ensembles in the U.K. Tackle the Classical and the Contemporary

In the Guardian, Stephen Pritchard reviews two classical-music groups in the U.K. with divergent approaches to music. Classical Everywhere, which aims to rethink how classical music is presented, staged a Messiah at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane featuring a light show, choreography, and elaborate costumes. Pritchard: “While some of Tom Jackson Greaves’s choreography was undoubtedly graceful, it often got in the way on a stage already crammed to the rafters with the English Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, soloists and actors.” Meanwhile, “Manchester Collective, a flexible contemporary ensemble … is not above using a bit of colored lighting and dry ice to add some atmosphere, but then it has something truly authentic to present: never less than interesting new music. Last week, three works written for string orchestra in the past 10 years by Americans Missy Mazzoli (b. 1980) and Caroline Shaw (b. 1982) joined a world premiere by British composer Oliver Leith (b. 1990)…. Violinist Rakhi Singh is the ensemble’s dynamic director, leading 17 players with authority and skill.”