Featured today
Ensemble. Dramatic, Frightening and Profound — Keith Bramich experiences multimedia compositions by Yannis Kyriakides
Twenty years ago today
The Monteverdi allure — On the 360th anniversary of the death of Claudio Monteverdi, Rajgopal Nidamboor pays tribute to the first great composer of opera (published 29 November 2003)
Anniversaries
Claudio Monteverdi (1643); Gaetano Donizetti (1797); Friedrich Klose (1862); Harold Schonberg (1915); Giacomo Puccini (1924); Günter Wewel (1934); Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1957); George Harrison (2001)
Today's background image
Derived from a photo taken by Keith Bramich in November 2023 of Christmas decorations in Amsterdam
Recent Articles
Ensemble. Splendidly Thought-out — Mike Wheeler listens to music by J S Bach, Howells, MacMillan, Puccini, Reger, Sibelius and Vaughan Williams from the Sitwell Singers and friends
Spotlight. Largely Traditional — Keith Bramich listens to Christmas music recorded in 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia. '... an intriguing glimpse of the work of Robert Shaw and his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus from nearly fifty years ago.'
Steiner — A classical music word-puzzle by Allan Rae
Classical music news - International Opera Awards — A series of organisations and individuals were honoured at a ceremony in Poland on 9 November 2023, plus other news
Kathleen Parlow — Esdras Mugatik writes about a Pre-Raphaelite violinist with a post-Pre-Raphaelite decline
Spotlight. The Authentic Chopin Sound — Gerald Fenech reviews Margarita Höhenrieder's recording of the Chopin piano concertos. 'This issue is a truly important addition to the composer's discography ...'
CD Spotlight. Raising the Profile — Paul Sarcich listens to contemporary British music for woodwind orchestra. '... some new and interesting sounds ...'
Spotlight. Uncanny Precision — Gerald Fenech recommends Frieder Bernius' recording of 'L'Olimpiade' by Hasse. 'Frieder Bernius has a convincing way with Hasse.'
Ensemble. An Exhilarating Celebration of Purcell's Genius — Mike Wheeler enjoys Opera North's 'eco-entertainment' based on music by Henry Purcell
The Political Symphony — Jeffrey Neil asks some searching questions about classical music and protest
Ensemble. A Wake-up Call — Ron Bierman listens to orchestral music by Carlos Simon and by Wagner arranged by Lorin Maazel
Ensemble. A Joy to Watch — Mike Wheeler finds that Opera North's 'La Rondine' has all the company's usual flair, but has reservations in general about Giacomo Puccini's music
Spotlight. A Real Treat — Geoff Pearce listens to music by Herman D Koppel. '... full of interest, and it showcases the considerable talents of the Koppel family and associated artists.'
Ensemble. Miraculous Orchestration — Mike Wheeler enjoys Opera North's production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Falstaff'
Spotlight. An Extraordinary Tribute — Gerald Fenech recommends the soundtrack album of 'Maestro', the new film about Leonard Bernstein. '... brilliant sound and attractive presentation.'
Spotlight. Nonexistence Reconsidered — John Dante Prevedini listens to a recording of John Aylward's opera 'Oblivion'. '... enigmatic and philosophically challenging ...'
Classical music news - November 2023 Obituaries — Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Ensemble. Exceptionally Vivid Playing — Mike Wheeler listens to a highly charged performance by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Spotlight. Dramatic and Passionate — Gerald Fenech ardently recommends extracts from operas in the Italian verismo tradition. 'Hindoyan gets superb playing from his Liverpudlians, and the white-hot streak of the music is delivered with unabashed virtuosity.'
Ensemble. Inventive Programming — Mike Wheeler listens to music by Vaughan Williams, George Walker and Tchaikovsky
Spotlight. Engaging, Interesting and Thoughtful — Endre Anaru is inspired by Francesco Cera's performance of The Well-Tempered Clavier: Part 1, Book 1. 'He gives voice to the voices and instead of just a dry plain reading we hear an enlivened elocution. It is as if he recited the music for us.'
Ensemble. Judiciously Balanced — Mike Wheeler listens to a recital by Petr Limonov
Classical music news. National Contemporary Orchestra — The USA has a new professional orchestra
Classical music news. Solomon's Knot — Brown University's Lindemann Performing Arts Center opened recently, and Bach's Magnificat opens the Christmas season at London's Wigmore Hall
Ensemble. Baba-Yaga's Whistle — Mike Wheeler is impressed by Lyadov, Tchaikovsky, Chopin and Rachmaninov from Pavel Kolesnikov and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko
Ensemble. Thoroughly Enjoyable — Ron Bierman listens to a concert given by Latonia Moore and J'Nai Bridges, with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and conductor Bruce Stasyna
Spotlight. An Entrancing Programme — Gerald Fenech strongly recommends eighteenth century music for harp, played by Xavier de Maistre. 'At times mystical, at others immensely relaxing and uplifting, this is music coming down from above that soothes the soul and calms the mind.'
Classical music news. November 2023 Newsletter — Our November 2023 PDF newsletter, 'Beautiful, Powerful Music', has just been published
Spotlight. Considerable Variety — Geoff Pearce listens to music by Harry Ore, played by Zhaoyi Long. 'Zhaoyi Long's playing generally was beautiful and she brought the character of these pieces to life.'
Classical music news. New Releases for November 2023 and Later — Browse a selection of new recordings
A Treasure Trove — Roderic Dunnett explores the substantial catalogue of Regent Records
MORE ARTICLES
NEWLY SPONSORED: Ensemble. Last Gasp of Boyhood. Roderic Dunnett investigates Jubilee Opera's A Time There Was for the Benjamin Britten centenary.
