REVIEWS
Video links included in quotes
"…The programme at St John's, Smith Square on 4 December was no exception, being crowned by a performance of The Rite of Spring that was absolutely outstanding… The rare qualities which made this performance stand out were that this was a real interpretation with the inherently wild rustic element of uncultured folk-based material given with a genuine sense of style throughout. This made the work cohere at every level, the result of a single-minded direction by Michael Alexander Young that was very impressive."
Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion (January 2009)
"The vibrant, young conductor, Michael Alexander Young has melded a really integrated sound and is giving programmes of much interest… The Pines of Rome, was simply fabulous… the beauty of the middle movements, the stillness of night and darkness, the song of the nightingale, where he drew ravishing playing from the band… a superb show full of colour, insight and passion."
Bob Briggs, Musical Opinion (January 2010)
"The first symphony of Strauss’s friend Brahms was given with an intensity and insight which was second to none... [Strauss Oboe Concerto] Here Aviat and Young, for the first time in my experience, found exactly the right tone and feel for the music and delivered a performance without ever seeing it necessary to force the music and showing it to be the winsome flower it actually is. This was magnificent. "
Bob Briggs, Musical Opinion (March 2010)
"…The programme at St John's, Smith Square on 4 December was no exception, being crowned by a performance of The Rite of Spring that was absolutely outstanding… The rare qualities which made this performance stand out were that this was a real interpretation with the inherently wild rustic element of uncultured folk-based material given with a genuine sense of style throughout. This made the work cohere at every level, the result of a single-minded direction by Michael Alexander Young that was very impressive."
Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion (January 2009)
"The vibrant, young conductor, Michael Alexander Young has melded a really integrated sound and is giving programmes of much interest… The Pines of Rome, was simply fabulous… the beauty of the middle movements, the stillness of night and darkness, the song of the nightingale, where he drew ravishing playing from the band… a superb show full of colour, insight and passion."
Bob Briggs, Musical Opinion (January 2010)
"The first symphony of Strauss’s friend Brahms was given with an intensity and insight which was second to none... [Strauss Oboe Concerto] Here Aviat and Young, for the first time in my experience, found exactly the right tone and feel for the music and delivered a performance without ever seeing it necessary to force the music and showing it to be the winsome flower it actually is. This was magnificent. "
Bob Briggs, Musical Opinion (March 2010)
