Richard Bratby

One of the great contemporary symphonies: The Hallé – Desert Music, at Bridgewater Hall, reviewed

Plus: the benefits and pitfalls of choosing programmes for reasons other than the purely musical

Steve Reich's Desert Music requires a colossal orchestra – there are Mahler symphonies scored for smaller forces. Image: Alex Burns
  • Comments

  • The Hallé – Desert Music

    Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

  • Chineke!/Suganandarajah

    Royal Festival Hall

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading for free

Subscribe today to get 3 months’ free digital access.

  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828
  • Plus, three months’ free digital access to the Telegraph

Read next

Trending

Alexander Horne

The Apple case is a huge win for the European Commission

Apple must pay €13 billion (£11 billion) in unpaid taxes, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled, bringing to an end a long-running dispute involving the tech company and the government of Ireland. The ruling by the EU’s top court is a huge win for the European Commission (and the outgoing Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager)

Because you read about colin currie

Also by Richard Bratby

Latest

Comments

Join the debate for free — this month only

This month, be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for free. We’ll also give you three months’ free digital access to the Telegraph.

Already a subscriber? Log in