LSO/Pappano review – Kendall’s engaging new work has a tea kettle, tremolo and slam-dunks of timpani

Barbican, London The British composer’s ‘i have discovered the secret of death’ was beguiling and compelling, the centrepiece of a programme that saw Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra firing on all cylinders Stage resets between musical works are a standard feature of orchestral concerts: pianos are moved around, additional players file on or off.

But I’ve never before seen a tea kettle brought on and placed ceremoniously at the front of the stage, as occurred ahead of the world premiere of Hannah Kendall ’s LSO commission I have discovered the secret of death. But then Kendall’s music is vibrantly unconventional , often incorporating noise-makers from beyond classical music’s usual lineup. Her latest work was exceptionally engaging, the beguiling…