Rian Evans, The Guardian, 24th September 2014 ★★★★ "Works by Janáček and his Czech compatriot Bohuslav Martinů framed this concert given by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Janáček’s programmatic…
Carol Main, The Scotsman, 2nd August 2014 ★★★★★ "With considerable stamina required all round to sustain the continuous 50 minutes of lavish scoring – Wagner tubas, two sets of timpani,…
Rodger Jones, Seen and Heard International, 2nd August 2014 "For some reason I have missed out on live performances of Richard Strauss in this his 150th anniversary year. I have not…
James Chute, U-T San Diego, 14th June 2014 “…Francis knew every nuance of this difficult score and he and the orchestra offered a compelling, convincing interpretation. He found exactly the…
Daniel J. Kushner, Democrat & Chronicle, 1st June 2014 "Guest conductor Michael Francis' blend of control and effusiveness sustained the magisterial momentum of the prologue... Under Francis' direction, "Venus, The…
David Raymond, Rochester City Newspaper, 30th May 2014 "But the most memorable portions of [Walton’s 'Suite from Henry V']…were delicately paced by Michael Francis and exquisitely played by the RPO…
Pat O’Kelly, Irish Independent, 7th April 2014 "Following several weeks’ lull, the latest in the RTÉ NSO’s ‘Subscription Season’ finds the ensemble in top form under re-visiting English conductor Michael…
Derek Ho, ResMusica, 20th March 2014 "...From the opening timpani strikes it was immediately clear that this music is Francis’ passion. There were many highlights, from the clumsy woodwinds in…
Hannu-Ilari Lamila, Helsingin Sanomat, 16th March 2014 "Young, skilled and sympathetic British conductor Michael Francis ensured that the atmosphere was authentically English. It is often down to small detail whether,…
Geoffrey Newman, Seen and Heard International, 14th March 2014 "...Janacek’s six Lachian Dances (1890) are in many ways just a Moravian variant of Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances, balancing brisk, rustic rhythms…
