This page provides a small number of complete newspaper reviews, and a series of extracts relating to key musical attributes and to works from George’s most frequently performed repertoire. The idea is to provide not only a means of tracing interpretative trends and development through some of his core performing repertoire, but also a fascinating snapshot of British concert life during his active years, and a window into a style of arts journalism which has all but disappeared.
General Reviews / Key Musical Attributes
“An Intelligent Craftsman and a musicianly artist”
Toronto Globe, 1953
“Sensitive musicianship and a command of his craft”
Newcastle Post, 13 February 1968
“He conducted all the pieces I heard without the score and without ever faltering”
What’s On In London, March 1957 — Review by Peter Wolfe
“He is among that group of conductors one can trust absolutely with a new and unheard score”
The Guardian, 20 September 1967
“George Hurst has very few equals amongst British conductors…”
The Gramophone, November 1967
Specific Works
Mahler’s ‘Resurrection Symphony’ in Liverpool
This is the performance which inspired Sir Simon Rattle to become a conductor
Bournemouth Sinfonietta Debut Performance
Bournemouth Echo, 19 September 1968
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Bournemouth Echo, 25 July 1966
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Yorkshire Post, 29 April 1968
Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Bournemouth Echo, 16 July 1965
Brahms: Symphony No. 2
Bournemouth Echo, 21 February 1969
Brahms: Symphony No. 4
Newcastle Journal, 22 July 1963
Mahler’s ‘Resurrection Symphony’ in Liverpool
This is the performance which inspired Sir Simon Rattle to become a conductor
Bournemouth Sinfonietta Debut Performance
Bournemouth Echo, 19 September 1968
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Bournemouth Echo, 25 July 1966
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Yorkshire Post, 29 April 1968
Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Bournemouth Echo, 16 July 1965
Brahms: Symphony No. 2
Bournemouth Echo, 21 February 1969
Brahms: Symphony No. 4
Newcastle Journal, 22 July 1963
“An Intelligent Craftsman and a musicianly artist”
Toronto Globe, 1953
“He conducted all the pieces I heard without the score and without ever faltering”
What’s On In London, March 1957 — Review by Peter Wolfe
“He is among that group of conductors one can trust absolutely with a new and unheard score”
The Guardian, 20 September 1967
“George Hurst has very few equals amongst British conductors…”
The Gramophone, November 1967
“Sensitive musicianship and a command of his craft”
Newcastle Post, 13 February 1968