Christian Hoskins
@aquilanebula.bsky.social
Public transport specialist, reviewer for Gramophone, occasional traveller & photographer.
Reposted by Christian Hoskins
I may not be the most festive person going, but know it can be a tough time for many people. If you can help support organisations supporting others please do, and, if you need support, hopefully some organisations below can help.
This is far from comprehensive so please do add more at the end. 👇
This is far from comprehensive so please do add more at the end. 👇
December 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM
I may not be the most festive person going, but know it can be a tough time for many people. If you can help support organisations supporting others please do, and, if you need support, hopefully some organisations below can help.
This is far from comprehensive so please do add more at the end. 👇
This is far from comprehensive so please do add more at the end. 👇
Walking by the Thames in Richmond.
November 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Walking by the Thames in Richmond.
The Rite of Spring
November 29, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The Rite of Spring
Forty Hall in north London earlier today. Visiting the house is free and the extensive grounds are extraordinarily beautiful.
November 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Forty Hall in north London earlier today. Visiting the house is free and the extensive grounds are extraordinarily beautiful.
Now listening to Penderecki's Concertino for Trumpet and Orchestra recorded by the work's dedicatee, Gábor Boldoczki. Krzysztof Penderecki born on this day in 1933.
November 23, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Now listening to Penderecki's Concertino for Trumpet and Orchestra recorded by the work's dedicatee, Gábor Boldoczki. Krzysztof Penderecki born on this day in 1933.
Christmas tree delivery to St Paul's Cathedral.
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Christmas tree delivery to St Paul's Cathedral.
St Paul's Cathedral earlier today.
November 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
St Paul's Cathedral earlier today.
Reposted by Christian Hoskins
Premiered #OTD in 1935, the 6th Symphony by English composer, Arnold Bax. The world premiere took place at Queen’s Hall, London, by the Royal Philharmonic Society Orchestra under Adrian Boult’s direction. open.spotify.com/track/2IwsSc... #britsymphyear
Symphony No. 6, GP 331: I. Moderato - Allegro con fuoco
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1935, the 6th Symphony by English composer, Arnold Bax. The world premiere took place at Queen’s Hall, London, by the Royal Philharmonic Society Orchestra under Adrian Boult’s direction. open.spotify.com/track/2IwsSc... #britsymphyear
So immigrants who work and pay taxes, such as my wife, will in many cases never be able to claim benefits and be subject to deportation for decades if family income ever falls below a certain level? As extreme, terrifying and offensive as government policy gets.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Legal migrants who arrived in UK from 2021 face long wait for settled status under tough new proposals
Shabana Mahmood says she fears "Greater Britain" could give way to "Littler England" without changing the immigration system.
news.sky.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
So immigrants who work and pay taxes, such as my wife, will in many cases never be able to claim benefits and be subject to deportation for decades if family income ever falls below a certain level? As extreme, terrifying and offensive as government policy gets.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Korngold was just 15 when he completed his Sinfonietta, an impressive four movement work that was premiered by Weingartner and the Vienna Philharmonic in 1913. Had a lot of pleasure reviewing this new recording by Sascha Goetzel for the November issue of Gramophone.
November 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Korngold was just 15 when he completed his Sinfonietta, an impressive four movement work that was premiered by Weingartner and the Vienna Philharmonic in 1913. Had a lot of pleasure reviewing this new recording by Sascha Goetzel for the November issue of Gramophone.
Reposted by Christian Hoskins
Reposted by Christian Hoskins
Born #OTD in 1922, English composer, Doreen Carwithen. Her Concerto for Piano & Strings was premiered at the BBC Proms on 25 August 1952 at the Royal Albert Hall, with Iris Loveridge as soloist and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Trevor Harvey. open.spotify.com/track/4tPCV5... #britsymphyear
Concerto for Piano and Strings: I. Allegro assai
open.spotify.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Born #OTD in 1922, English composer, Doreen Carwithen. Her Concerto for Piano & Strings was premiered at the BBC Proms on 25 August 1952 at the Royal Albert Hall, with Iris Loveridge as soloist and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Trevor Harvey. open.spotify.com/track/4tPCV5... #britsymphyear
Couldn't resist getting the new box of Christoph von Dohnányi's Vienna recordings. Buying direct from Decca Classics proved to be much cheaper than the usual retailers.
November 15, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Couldn't resist getting the new box of Christoph von Dohnányi's Vienna recordings. Buying direct from Decca Classics proved to be much cheaper than the usual retailers.
Belated first visit to the refurbished Battersea Power Station.
November 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Belated first visit to the refurbished Battersea Power Station.
Now listening to Copland's Tender Land Suite conducted by the composer with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Probably my favourite of his many works. Aaron Copland born in New York City on this day in 1900.
November 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Now listening to Copland's Tender Land Suite conducted by the composer with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Probably my favourite of his many works. Aaron Copland born in New York City on this day in 1900.
Brünnhilde's Immolation Scene
When the universe ends, what song will play over the end credits?
November 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Brünnhilde's Immolation Scene
Reposted by Christian Hoskins
Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new opera The Railway Children was recently given a semi-staged performance at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Here's Claudia Pritchard's review for the Critics' Circle:
criticscircle.org.uk/the-railway-...
criticscircle.org.uk/the-railway-...
The Railway Children is a first-class ride | The Critics' Circle
The Railway Children: Henna Mun (Phyllis), Jessica Cale (Bobbie), Matthew McKinney (Peter). Photo: Richard Hubert Smith After his visceral but wonderful Festen, Mark-Anthony Turnage’s operatic take on...
criticscircle.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new opera The Railway Children was recently given a semi-staged performance at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Here's Claudia Pritchard's review for the Critics' Circle:
criticscircle.org.uk/the-railway-...
criticscircle.org.uk/the-railway-...
Another CD I reviewed for the November issue of Gramophone features trumpet works performed by Tine Thing Helseth, including the fine concerto Penderecki wrote in 2015, one of his last works.
November 13, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Another CD I reviewed for the November issue of Gramophone features trumpet works performed by Tine Thing Helseth, including the fine concerto Penderecki wrote in 2015, one of his last works.
This afternoon's listening: Borodin's Symphony 2 conducted by Nikolai Golovanov. Lots of irresistible things in this symphony, not least the horn melody that opens the Andante. Alexander Borodin born in St Petersburg on this day in 1833.
November 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
This afternoon's listening: Borodin's Symphony 2 conducted by Nikolai Golovanov. Lots of irresistible things in this symphony, not least the horn melody that opens the Andante. Alexander Borodin born in St Petersburg on this day in 1833.
Reviewed Gerd Schaller's recording of Bruckner 8 for the November issue of Gramophone. Releases of the composer have reduced significantly since the bicentenary last year. This is one of the swiftest versions of the symphony on record, but a very impressive interpretation magnificently played.
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reviewed Gerd Schaller's recording of Bruckner 8 for the November issue of Gramophone. Releases of the composer have reduced significantly since the bicentenary last year. This is one of the swiftest versions of the symphony on record, but a very impressive interpretation magnificently played.
Visited Osterley House yesterday, a National Trust property in west London. This is the Long Gallery. Not too busy on this November afternoon.
November 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Visited Osterley House yesterday, a National Trust property in west London. This is the Long Gallery. Not too busy on this November afternoon.
Reposted by Christian Hoskins
The November issue of Gramophone, in which I try to convince Hugo Shirley that Bernstein's recording of Der Rosenkavalier is a classic (spoiler: I fail).
November 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The November issue of Gramophone, in which I try to convince Hugo Shirley that Bernstein's recording of Der Rosenkavalier is a classic (spoiler: I fail).
Today my wife of five years passed the Life in the UK test, featuring lots of questions about British life that I as a native-born citizen would've struggled to answer. Next, a fourth and final application to the Home Office to be made to continue our life together costing £3,029.
November 8, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Today my wife of five years passed the Life in the UK test, featuring lots of questions about British life that I as a native-born citizen would've struggled to answer. Next, a fourth and final application to the Home Office to be made to continue our life together costing £3,029.
Now listening to Alwyn's Symphony 5, his last major work. Recordings by David Lloyd-Jones and the composer on the player this afternoon. William Alwyn born in Northampton on this day in 1905.
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Now listening to Alwyn's Symphony 5, his last major work. Recordings by David Lloyd-Jones and the composer on the player this afternoon. William Alwyn born in Northampton on this day in 1905.
Just saw this in an estate agent's window while waiting for a bus in South Kensington:
November 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Just saw this in an estate agent's window while waiting for a bus in South Kensington: