George Kennaway

Reviews

A superb conductor - romantic, spirited...

Vyecherniy Tashkent

...even by George Kennaway's exuberant standards, last night's concert was something special

Yorkshire Post

Though many cello recitalists lock themselves into a repertoire ranging chronologically from Bach to Debussy, George Kennaway is clearly one who doesn't. As proof, he brought to Edinburgh University a fascinating programme which began with Kurt Weill's cello sonata ... and ended with the Poulenc sonata... The edinburgh-born cellist made astron case for the Weill... The performance ocnveyed the sombre intensity of the music to admiration... In contrast, the wit of the Poulenc sonata brought essential light relief, though the characteristic ambiguities of this work...were not lost upon two such responsive players.

Scotsman

The concert by the Northern Baroque Orchestra was something special. These players made one feel immensely grateful to have such talent performing in the borough under the direction of George Kennaway.

Rochdale Observer

In a short time he has established himself at the helm, and also has a genial manner with an audience, giving informative introductions.

Rochdale Observer

Without doubt this really was an occasion...gloriously majestic...played with great feeling and expression.

Bradford Telegraph

The ASO is a fine ensemble, and in their conductor they have the most sympathetic and unpretentiously musical of guides.

Yorkshire Post

William Baines' Symphony in C minor was performed from manuscript in an edition by George Kennaway, who conducted a spirited reading...The enterprise which brought this symphony to its first ever performance was quite exceptional. Their well-conceived programme also included Moeran's Cello Concerto with the excellent Miriam Roycroft.

Musical Times

It was a tribute to the Grassington Festival's enterprising spirit and to the ASO and their conductor for a praiseworthy performance.

Yorkshire Post

The greatest of orchestras find music by Delius notoriously elusive. Its combination of languor, luminosity and flickering magic defy all but a few conductors. Yet this occasion - a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the local composer's death - proved a credit to the local orchestra. Conductor George Kennaway began with Over the Hills and Far Away producing finely measured string playing and effectively distanced horns. Prize-winning soloists - violinist Emma Young and cellist Hannah Roberts - brought an aura of glowing and contemplative distinction to the Delius Double Concerto. Here by any standards was a heartfelt and gloriously communicative performance. Next, Delius's brilliantly evocative Paris produced confident, wholly responsive playing, with successive wind fragments notably beautiful. As an end piece the orchestra presented Bax's ripely atmospheric seascape Tintagel. At first its wash of sound seemed a shade too calculated. Then all doubts were swept aside as the orchestra reached its fervent and resounding conclusion.

Yorkshire Post

To discover many other such instances where a regional orchestra appears with an artist of truly international calibre one must go through records with a fine-tooth comb, for few violinists bring Marat Bisingaliev's incandescent virtuosity and meltingly expressive tone to Paganini's formidable, marvellously entertaining Violin Concerto no.1. With engaging lightness of touch and wit from the ASO and George Kennaway here was a happy partnership and stellar artistry...the evening ended with Elgar's noble Enigma Variations. This robust performance was full of eager optimism and reflective nostalgia; indeed a testament for its era and a fitting end to an evening of staggering virtuosity.

Yorkshire Post