Recent Reviews

Tuesday March 31st  2009
"Britten to Russia"   An evening of British and Russian masterpieces, featuring the premier of Toby Purser's suite from Veniamin Fleishman's opera "Rothschild's Violin", completed by Shostakovich after his student's early death in the Second World War. The Orion Symphony Orchestra joins forces tonight with Sonitus Choir, created from members of all five London Music Colleges.

The Independent Review   ".....If you want to learn the secret of classical music’s perennial good health, look no further. "
Music OMH Review  ".....This intense and energetic performance by Purser and his forces was a welcome outing for this under-rated and seldom-performed work, ending a hugely enjoyable evening of contrasting moods."

Monday 10th November 2008
 "Spirit of Russia"  A spectacular evening of some of Russia's most dazzling and passionate works. Fresh from his acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut, Greek pianist Panos Karan performs Rachmaninov's famously demanding 3rd Piano concerto, in a programme exploring the emotional and virtuoso extremes of the Russian repertoire.

Classical Source Review "....a quality of sound comparable to any professional group, matched with an energetic vitality that could blow their competition out of the water."

Monday September 15th  2008
"England Rediscovered"   A treasure trove of England's most beautiful music, featuring Cyril Scott's Orient-perfumed harpsichord concerto, the first performance since its 1937 premiere, in a new edition prepared especially for this evening's performance by harpsichord virtuoso Jory Vinikou.

Music OMH Review   ".....a coherency of purpose with exquisite playing throughout the evening. "
Arts Hub UK Review  ".....a vital and fresh-faced contender in London's professional orchestral scene."

"....rousing heartfelt playing... Beautifully stylish"   (The Independent, June 19th 2008)

"Music making few will forget"   (Cherwell newspaper, May 2008)