“Watching him for only the second time tonight he displayed a confidence and passion in his conducting and knows how to bring out the best from such a large ensemble [RNCM Symphony Orchestra]. Between the two of them [Jeremy So, Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.2], along with the venue, making the orchestra perform I think, probably the best I have ever heard them.”
–North West End (RNCM Symphony Orchestra), 2016
Read More“Passionate and exacting - knowing exactly how to ooze out every last morsel of dynamic from every single instrument. The soft passages were cotton wool, whilst the fortissimo was excellently controlled. His craft is undeniable and he was a joy to watch as he exuded both love and confidence.”
–North West End (RNCM Symphony Orchestra), 2016
Read More“This [Tchaikovsky's Fatum] was conducted by Harish Shankar, the Royal Northern College of Music’s present junior fellow in conducting, and he made a very impressive Hallé debut indeed. There was power and intensity in the opening and close, refinement and beauty in the more lyrical episodes, and electricity in tone and phrasing as the music grew to its climaxes. In truth it’s more like a ballet score without a ballet than a symphonic movement, but that gave scope for tension, drama and energy, and Harish Shankar’s style, economic on gesture but effective, gives an orchestra what it needs and nothing else.”
–Manchester Evening News (Hallé), 2015
Read More“The first work of the evening was entrusted to Harish Shankar [...]. On the evidence of his performance of Tchaikovsky’s Fatum his is a name to watch out for. It [Tchaikovsky’s Fatum] ranges through varying moods: as Harish Shankar pointed out in his pre-concert interview, fate encompasses light and cheerful aspects as well as more sombre ones, and there were plenty of lyrical themes to enjoy. The ending, however, was astonishing. The music veered into something very modern. One can understand why Balakirev did not like it. I loved it! The whole work was given a fine performance by the Hallé and our conductor in his debut with the orchestra.”
–Bachtrack (Hallé), 2015
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