ULSTER ORCHESTRA
Sound, memory and the spaces between, observed from the periphery
Special access to the Ulster Orchestra’s BBC Proms rehearsal at the Royal Albert Hall
Quick fire answers to some of commonly asked questions about the Thoroughly Good Blog and its author
19 years of news, reviews and opinion
Two standout evenings with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the 2025 Aldeburgh Festival, featuring new works by Kidane, Grimes, and Elias alongside Strauss, Britten and Sibelius. Virtuosity, ambition, and moments of startling clarity across the weekend — with Leila Josefowicz and Allan Clayton especially compelling.
Turnage, Nielsen, and Kidane: bold sounds, sharp messages, and orchestral firepower
Bach’s Markus-Passion from Dunedin Consort: phenomenal, enthralling, and profound
Speak of the North is evocative, immediate, and unmistakably Higgins Full transparency: I’m a big fan of Gavin Higgins’ work. Colourful, energetic, and thoughtful, Higgins has a knack for handling material that meets the need, meets his need, and meets the needs of the audience. In Speak of the North, he’s built on the strengths…