Classical music news - February 2024 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Ensemble. Paths of Excellence - Giuseppe Pennisi reports via live stream on the Ravenna Festival Mozart/Da Ponte Trilogy
CD Spotlight. Passionately Colourful Orchestration - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Catalan composer Joan Manén. 'Ana María Valderrama's rendition of the Concerto is technically superb, and there's a purity in her tone that you don't experience every day. Darrell Ang gives sympathetic support throughout.'
CD Spotlight. Beethoven the Innovator - Cuarteto Casals plays a selection of Beethoven string quartets, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'All of the highest quality.'
Classical music news. July 2020 Newsletter - 'A Miracle in Ravenna', Classical Music Daily's July 2020 Newsletter, has just been published, along with an assortment of short news items
CD Spotlight. South American Melodic Turns - Music by José Serebrier, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... I was very much taken by the imagination, colour, rhythm and neo-classical expressiveness of the music, particularly in the "tango" pieces ...'
A Charming Touch - Mike Wheeler listens to Beethoven, Brahms, Granados and Mompou, played by Ingrid Cusidó
Ensemble. Totally Individual - The first performance of David Sawer's opera 'The Skating Rink' impresses Roderic Dunnett
CD Spotlight. Great Heights - Orchestral music by Enrique Granados, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... superbly played by the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra ...'
CD Spotlight. Of Huge Interest - Orchestral music by Granados, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... well crafted and very tuneful.'
Ensemble. Divine Providence - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by Donizetti's religious opera 'Linda di Chamounix'
CD Spotlight. Feral Wildness - Music by Osias Wilenski, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'Lauded for his compositional style, Wilenski's unique works range from narrative symphonic poems and operatic spin-offs to instrumental miniatures.'
CD Spotlight. Quite Breathtaking - David Korevaar plays Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, admired by Howard Smith. '... lots to admire ...'
Ensemble. Unmitigated Fun - Covent Garden at the cinema, experienced by Maria Nockin
CD Spotlight. A Worthy Introduction - Song cycles and chamber music by Gareth Walters, heard by Patric Standford. '... deserves a firm place in the CD library.'
Ensemble. A Fascinating Afternoon - Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' live from Barcelona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin in Arizona
CD Spotlight. A Must-have - Piano music by Federico Mompou, recommended by Natalie Artemas-Polak. 'Haskell Small's contemplative approach admirably suits these pieces ...'
Ensemble. Consummate Skill - 'Hamlet' by Ambroise Thomas, heard by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Thrilling New Option - 'Il Trovatore' from Barcelona, experienced in Arizona by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Beethoven Rules! - Malcolm Troup reports from the recent Annual Beethoven Chamber Music (Duos) Masterclass and Competition at London's Steinway Hall
Record Box. Well Produced - The structured improvisations of Alexandra Gardner, reviewed by Patric Standford
DVD Spotlight. Elemental Ferocity - Verdi's 'Otello', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... this Desdemona can float a line with utmost tenderness ...'
DVD Spotlight. Ultimate Destruction - Verdi's 'Macbeth', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much excitement ...'
DVD Spotlight. Mysterious nirvana - Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the climaxes are prepared with meticulous cunning.'
DVD Spotlight. Eerie and impressive - 'Hamlet' by Ambroise Thomas, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much sensitivity.'
DVD Spotlight. History and myth - Wagner's 'Götterdämmerung', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a crowning glory from Bertrand de Billy and his superb team ...'
DVD Spotlight. Dramatic skill - Wagner's 'Siegfried', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... when it is sung as beautifully as here, one is humbly grateful.'
DVD Spotlight. Utmost art - Die Walküre, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... live performances that rightly earn due applause act by act ...'
DVD Spotlight. Sinister power - 'Das Rheingold', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a joyous experience ...'
Barcelona diary - The London Concord Singers visit Catalunya, and Robert Hugill keeps a written record of the trip
CD Spotlight. Hope and fear - Berg and Britten violin concertos, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a violinist of superb accomplishment ...'