A selection of 'Japan' articles

Classical music news. Jaeden Izik-Dzurko - A young Canadian pianist has won the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition

Classical music news. Maria João Pires - The Portuguese pianist has been awarded the 2024 Praemium Imperiale 2024

Ensemble. Avian Humanoids in the Park - Keith Bramich takes a guided walk with a difference

Classical music news. New Releases for August 2024 and Later - Browse a selection of new recordings

Ensemble. Clearly Going Places - Mike Wheeler listens to the Kleio Quartet's Buxton Festival recital

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney - Imaginary Concert No 2

Classical music news - Nathalie Stutzmann - The French conductor has signed a new exclusive recording agreement with Erato

Classical music news - May 2024 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Spotlight. Cinematic Imagery - Gerald Fenech warmly recommends film music by John Williams, played by the Saito Kinen Orchestra. 'Strongly recommended.'

Zipangu - A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Classical music news - Birmingham Classical Season - B:Music announces its 2024/25 Birmingham (UK) Classical Season at Symphony Hall

Spotlight. Compelling Throughout - Gerald Fenech warmly recommends Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man'. '... the performance is one of the most moving I've heard in recent times ...'

Classical music news. April 2024 Newsletter - Our April 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published, featuring some music festivals around the world this year

Classical music news. New Releases for April 2024 and Later - Browse a selection of new recordings

Classical music news - A New Competition - The Tokyo Minato City International Music Competition and Workshop is being launched in 2024

Classical music news - Turbulent Times - The Australian Youth Orchestra goes to Tasmania for its Autumn Season Concert

Spotlight. A Great Release - Geoff Pearce appreciates Laura van der Heijden and Jâms Coleman's cello and piano recital. '... the performers do not appear to be recorded with microphones too close, which results in realistic blending, and also a feeling of distance, perhaps reflecting the distant and mysterious qualities of the moonlight.'

Classical music news - February 2024 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Spotlight. Feverishly Exciting - Gerald Fenech ardently recommends Skrowaczewski's 2016 recording of Bruckner's Eighth Symphony. '... full of energy and emotional visionary splendour ...'

Classical music news. February 2024 Newsletter and other news - Our February 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published, and amongst other items of news, we also feature a conversation between Tamami Honma and Barry Cooper

Ensemble. Mercurial Switches of Mood - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Mendelssohn, Liszt, Beethoven and J S Bach/Myra Hess played by Japanese pianist Yu Kosuge

Spotlight. Colourful Orchestration and Melodic Nature - Geoff Pearce listens to three works by Richard Strauss. '... if you are fond of Richard Strauss's music, you will not be disappointed ...'

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 - Hallelujah! - Enjoy performances around the world of Handel's 'Messiah' in December 2023

Classical music news - Quebec Appointment for Strategic Reflection - Composer Simon Bertrand is appointed as interim artistic director of the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec

CD Spotlight. Masterfully Orchestrated - Geoff Pearce listens to Berlioz, Ravel and Saint-Saëns from Canadian soprano Marie-Nicole Lemieux. '... the soloist and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo conducted by Kazuki Yamada are on top form ...'

Classical music news. August 2023 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our August 2023 one hour video newsletter - The Creative Spark

Classical music news - July 2023 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Classical music news. Appointments - New (and existing) jobs for members of the international classical music community

CD Spotlight. Overwhelming Performances - Previously unreleased recordings by Jessye Norman, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Unmissable for all opera buffs.'

Ensemble. A Tumultuous Climax - Mike Wheeler listens to Dvořák, Bruch, J S Bach and Rimsky-Korsakov from Daishin Kashimoto and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with its new chief conductor Kazuki Yamada

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - The home country grown strange

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Behind the Wall of Sleep

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Randomness Run Riot

Classical music news. Obituary - Hilary Tann (1947-2023)

Classical music news. Tan Dun - Decca signs the multi-award-winning composer of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Turn that racket down!

Classical music news - January 2023 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Classical music news - November 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Ensemble. Present-day Concerns - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Valentin Silvestrov and Karl Jenkins

Ensemble. Paths of Excellence - Giuseppe Pennisi reports via live stream on the Ravenna Festival Mozart/Da Ponte Trilogy

Classical music news - October 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Classical music news. October 2022 Newsletter - Our October 2022 MP3 newsletter has just been published

Classical music news. Winners, Projects, Cancellations - Items in the news

Classical music news. Santander Piano Competition - Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, Xiaolu Zang and Marcel Tadokoro have won first, second and third prizes in the 2022 Santander International Piano Competition this month

CD Spotlight. Dimensions of Accessibility - John Dante Prevedini is inspired by Takashi Yoshimatsu's piano suites. '... Oshima-Ryan brings a remarkable clarity and precision to the performance ...'

Classical music news - May 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

CD Spotlight. The Magic of Ballets Russes - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Warner Classics' box set. '... a gem which should be on the shelves of all those interested in the music of the early decades of the twentieth century ...'

Classical music news. Music Competitions - Here are details of various music competitions taking place during the coming months

Ensemble. Last of the Samurai - Adam J Sacks discusses the new Opera Hong Kong/Slovene National Theater Maribor co-production of Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly'

Spontaneous Creativity - Some distinguishing features of Korea's traditional music, by Simon Farrugia

Classical music news. Paloma O'Shea Competition - Register by 18 October 2021 to take part in the 2022 Paloma O'Shea Santander International Piano Competition

CD Spotlight. Orientalism in Paris - 'La Princesse Jaune', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... an excellent vehicle for discovering a little known facet of Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns.'

Classical music news. Obituary - András Ligeti (1953-2021)

CD Spotlight. All Done with Mirrors - Geoff Pearce listens to music involving the double bass by Britta Byström, Eduard Tubin, Jesper Nordin and Carin Malmlöf-Forssling. '... a fitting reflection of the work of this fine composer.'

CD Spotlight. Brief Time Well Spent - John Dante Prevedini listens to music for six solo voices and electronics by Gregory W Brown. '... engaging, provocative and full of genuine surprise.'

Classical music news - August 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Profile. Landmark Collaborations - A personal reminiscence of British conductor Lawrence Leonard, by Keith Bramich

Classical music news - Notations - Oregon Symphony's latest digital series celebrates the connection between culture and music, spotlighting the diversity of Oregon's extraordinary musical landscape

Ensemble. A Transgressive Butterfly - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience in Rome

Classical music news - April 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Ensemble. Mixed Feelings - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews the new Opéra de Paris production of 'Aida'

CD Spotlight. Quietly Ambiguous - Stephen Francis Vasta feels vaguely let down by Mami Shikimori and the Wihan Quartet's performances of Fauré and Franck. '... wonderfully committed and incisive playing.'

CD Spotlight. An Unusual Debut - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music by Ravel, James Francis Brown and Liana Alexandra, performed by Andrea Oliva and the Hemisphaeria Trio. '... an innovative program by a very promising ensemble.'

Ensemble. A Miracle in Ravenna - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from a modified Ravenna Festival

CD Spotlight. Supremely Pianistic - Gerald Fenech finds pure joy in Etsuko Hirose's recent Moszkowski piano works disc. 'Truly hair-raising stuff, wonderfully annotated and recorded.'

CD Spotlight. Fierce Urgency - Bach Collegium Japan's St Matthew Passion, reviewed by Patrick Maxwell. 'Suzuki's forces create this inner energy in a way that surges, through the music, into the crucifixion, creating the mix of oratorio and opera that Bach must have been envisaging when the work was first performed across the church of St Thomas' in Leipzig in 1827.'

Classical music news - March 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost last month

CD Spotlight. Fresh and Engaging - Villa-Lobos, Bax and Bolcom from Kerry Duwors and Futaba Niekawa, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... the sheer musicianship, combined with flawless technique and imaginative programming, never fails to impress me.'

CD Spotlight. A Stupendous Disc - Roderic Dunnett listens to countertenor duets by Purcell and Blow. 'The music is sensationally beautiful and touching - and so are the performances.'

Ensemble. Packed With Good Things - Roderic Dunnett reports from the 2019 Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester

Classical music news. STEIM 50 Years - Amsterdam's STudio for Electro-Instrumental Music celebrates its fiftieth birthday

Ensemble. Mastery and Versatility - Giuseppe Pennisi attends three Tokyo Ballet performances in Rome

Ensemble. Italian Operas in Miskolc - Anett Fodor sends her final report from the 2019 Bartók Plus Opera Festival

CD Spotlight. A Compelling Disc - Schoenberg piano music, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'Yoko Hirota's performances here are truly exceptional ...'

CD Spotlight. Past and Present - Gerald Fenech finds music for trombone and piano worthy of serious investigation. 'Performances are wonderfully attractive, with a certain exquisite timbre and beautifully shaped nuances permeating each piece.'

Russian Political Satire - George Colerick writes about Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's extraordinary opera 'The Golden Cockerel'

CD Spotlight. Sober and Engrossing - Orchestral music by Toshio Hosokawa, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'The interpreters ... are high level and accustomed to working with Hosokawa and his music.'

Ensemble. An Odd Couple? - Music from Japan and Portugal at Rome's 'Opus' Festival, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Punk Transformed? - Keith Bramich has lunch with Torsten Rasch, Roderic Dunnett and others, at the Three Choirs Festival

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Presented - Vocal music by Vincent Persichetti, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. 'Both singers are fine and expressive, accurately expressing the emotional content of each song.'

Common Ground - Andrew Schartmann's book 'Koji Kondo's Super Mario Bros Soundtrack' impresses Keith Bramich

CD Spotlight. Austere and Brooding - Weinberg orchestral music, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... deserving of serious consideration.'

CD Spotlight. Consummate Skill - Boccherini chamber music, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... exquisite stuff from beginning to end ...'

Ensemble. Far from Traditional - Puccini operas in Rome, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Seeds of Excellence - Haydn and Debussy from Masahiro Yamaguchi, heard by Howard Smith. 'I was agreeably surprised at Masahiro's sparkling clarity ...'

CD Spotlight. Scintillating Performances - Asian music for string quartet impresses Howard Smith. '... an exemplary, highly recommendable release.'

CD Spotlight. Beautiful and Exciting - Music by Marty Regan, highly recommended by Ron Bierman. 'A few hearings should be enough to convince even skeptics ...'

CD Spotlight. Higher-level Synthesis - Music for string quartet by Toshio Hosokawa, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... the Arditti ensemble produces the effect masterfully.'

Ensemble. Rather Impressive - Mark Berry experiences English National Opera's 'Madama Butterfly'

Ensemble. A Better Fit - Wagner and Britten in the Umbrian Hills, reported by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Deeply Moving - Britten's 'Curlew River' in Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Exhilaratingly Refreshing - Yutaka Sado and the BBC Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Truth in Music - The Zodiac Trio, heard by Keith Bramich. '... young wine, already highly palatable ...'

Ensemble. A Sad Story - 'Madama Butterfly' at Los Angeles Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. Diverse Moods - Carl Orff's 'Gisei', explored by Gerald Fenech. 'An exciting discovery ...'

Ensemble. A Fabulous Evening - Hokusai Chamber Orchestra's memorial concert for the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami impresses Bill Newman

Ensemble. A Japanese Tragedy - A new 'Butterfly' production in Rome, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Exemplary Fashion - Francis Gouton's solo cello, heard by Howard Smith. '... a richly nuanced Gallic flair and beautiful tonal capabilities ...'

Ensemble. An Interesting Ambience - Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Glorious - Henri Barda plays Brahms, Beethoven and Chopin, recommended by Bill Newman. 'The performances are in a class of their own.'

Courage and Finesse - A recital by pianist Arisu Nakao, heard by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Appealing Performances - Guitar music by Ponce and Tansman, heard by Patric Standford. '... a real pleasure ...'

Ensemble. Patriot and Terrorist? - New aspects of Rossini brought to light at the 2011 Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, discussed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Asian Aid - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the 2011 Puccini Festival

Ensemble. Immense Promise - Malcolm Miller reports on the recent Israeli and Bloch music competitions

CD Spotlight. Distinct Insights - Dejan Lazic plays Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... a crisp, vernal, excellently deliniated performance ...'

Absolutely Outstanding - Kotaro Fukuma's performances of Schumann, Chopin and Liszt amaze Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Quite Breathtaking - David Korevaar plays Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, admired by Howard Smith. '... lots to admire ...'

CD Spotlight. Poignant Sounds - String quartets by Peter Garland, heard by Patric Standford. '... remote and apparently disengaged ...'

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Deft - Choral and orchestral music by Camille Saint-Saëns, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The London Philharmonic under Geoffrey Simon gives of its best ...'

Ensemble. Most Memorable - A recital by Soojin Han and Tadashi Imai impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Firmly in Period - Grange Park Opera's 'Madama Butterfly', reviewed by Robert Hugill

DVD Spotlight. Forthright Tempos - The Wihan Quartet plays Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... little to truly set their work apart ...'

Ensemble. Rough and Shining Jewels - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the 2010 Rossini Opera Festival

Ensemble. Pure Joy - Giuseppe Pennisi finds 'Madama Butterfly' at the Puccini Festival a pleasure for the ears and the eyes

Ensemble. An Excellent Staging - 'Madama Butterfly' at Rome's Teatro dell'Opera, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

Thoroughly Impressed - Maria Nockin talks to baritone Alan Opie, who is about to sing Germont for San Diego Opera

Ensemble. Beautifully Expressive - The Isolani Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Sterling Playing - Wendy Warner's interpretations of Popper and Piatigorsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... sovereign music-making deserving of the highest accolades.'

Low cost, but effective - 'Tosca' and 'Butterfly' with live electronics, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Invigoratingly Natural - Van Beinum conducts Mahler, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a tad less frenetic ...'

CD Spotlight. Robust and Spirited - James Tibbles plays J S Bach, heard by Howard Smith. '... worthy of widespread international recognition.'

CD Spotlight. Highly Challenging - Music for unaccompanied violin, heard by Howard Smith. '... searching performance ...'

Marvelously Gifted - Bill Newman listens to pianist Alexander Romanovsky

Ensemble. A Sparkling Account - The Kanazawa-Admony Piano Duo pays tribute to Carola Grindea, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. True Artistry - Howard Smith attends New Zealand's Music Fair of Japan 2009

Ensemble. Excellent Throughout - A lunchtime piano recital by Maiko Mori, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Ringing Intensity - 'Madama Butterfly' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ask Alice - On employment in music, insanity, rottweilers and the European Union, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Fire and Magic - Richard Stoltzman's 'Phoenix in Flight', recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... meltingly beautiful ...'

Record Box. Entirely Idiomatic - Vaughan Williams from Japan, reviewed by Robert Anderson

Record Box. Technically Exemplary - Music for birds, planes and cello, heard by Malcolm Tattersall

Ensemble. A Wonderful Weekend - 'Tosca' and 'Mikado' in Arizona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Fascinating Work - The first performance of Gabriel Jackson's Requiem, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Force of Nature - The Matsumoto/Jacobson Duo and The Art of Falconry, by Malcolm Troup

CD Spotlight. A Special Pleasure - Masaaki Suzuki directs J S Bach cantatas, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'If the Japanese tempo is faster than mine, so be it ...'

Ensemble. A Testing Programme - Bill Newman listens to Mayuko Katsumura and Gordon Back

Record Box. Attractive Ideas - Music by Isotaro Sugata, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Fascinating and Rewarding - Works by Kosçak Yamada, heard by Patric Standford

Record Box. Breathtaking Energy - Orchestral music by Komei Abe, reviewed by Patric Standford

Editor's Inbox - Another selection of readers' letters

Ensemble. Beautifully Realised - Music for flute, viola and harp from The Wakeford Ensemble, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Finesse and Subtlety - Orchestral music by Toru Takemitsu, recommended by Mike Wheeler. '... meticulous care for detail ...'

DVD Spotlight. Happy Signposts - 'Die Frau ohne Schatten' from the Bavarian State Opera, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'It is evident that Sawallisch loves the work.'

CD Spotlight. Grim and Visceral - Masao Ohki's 'Hiroshima Symphony', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'A blistering 2005 performance ...'

DVD Spotlight. Enchanting Mockery - Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Mikado', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Chorus and orchestra under Andrew Greene rollick their way through ...'

Ensemble. A Magical Blend - Malcolm Miller enjoys the Sariel-Ghilione Duo and Yehezkel Braun's new Sonata for Mandolin and Guitar

Ensemble. Extremely Traditional - 'Madama Butterfly' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Expansive Romanticism - 'Madama Butterfly' from Long Island, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Intelligent and Cogent - Julian Jacobson attended the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Celebrity Festival

Ensemble. Tonkori in the Park - World music at the City of London Festival, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. Melodic Felicity - Salon music by Katharine Parker, reviewed by Robert Hugill. 'Edwards has a lovely soprano voice ...'

DVD Spotlight. Rigidly Puritanical - 'Madama Butterfly', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a strong yet tender account of Puccini's cunning score.'

Ensemble. Imaginative Artistry - 'Madama Butterfly' in Los Angeles, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Cuts and Dissolves - Music by Turnage, Rihm and Benjamin, reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... a well-planned listening experience ...'

Ensemble. Pervasive influence - A return visit to London by the Verdehr Trio, reviewed by Peter Dickinson

Record box. Accomplished playing - Kumiko Ida's British piano album, appreciated by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Original sounds - Music by Kellogg and Crumb, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... an intriguing release with outstanding performances.'

CD Spotlight. Yearning for the Bell - Riley Lee plays the shakuhachi, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. 'Highly recommended.'

Ensemble. New sounds and ideas - Malcolm Miller attends the first concert in the Park Lane Group's New Year Series 2005

CD Spotlight. Competent but ... - 'Bernstein: Music for Film and Theatre', reviewed by Rex Harley. 'The rationale behind this disc escapes me.'

Profile. Cello and sushi - Meeting Danjulo Ishizaka for a bite, by Tess Crebbin

CD Spotlight. A great starting point - Land's End Chamber Ensemble's first CD, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... first-rate performances and excellent production.'

CD Spotlight. Thistledown delicacy - Music for clarinet by Brahms, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'These CD performances are wholly admirable ...'

Ensemble. Standing ovation? - Lyric Opera Cleveland's 'Mikado', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Scintillating performance - Tamami Honma plays music by John McCabe, appreciated by Patric Standford

Ask Alice - On diction and eye jobs, with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh, live this week from Brighton pier

CD Spotlight. Tintinnabulation - Music by Arvo Pärt, reviewed by Rex Harley. '... all the air and spaciousness one needs ...'

Ensemble. Snowfall in winter - Keith Bramich at a performance by Tamami Honma and friends

Ask Alice - Choristers and Christmas gifts, with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - Conductors' handshakes and solo bows, with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

A passionate campaign - Tamami Honma's Wigmore Hall solo recital début impresses Keith Bramich

Ensemble. New directions - Keith Bramich at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music 2003

Ensemble. An after-sun experience - Keith Bramich enjoys two concerts at the 2003 Dubrovnik Summer Festival

Lithuanian Diary - In Spring 2003, British composer and pianist John McCabe made his first-ever trip to Lithuania, for concerts and a recording with the St Christopher Chamber Orchestra of Vilnius. Here is a diary of his visit to this delightful country.

CD Spotlight. Open doors - Orchestral favourites of Japan, reviewed by Keith Bramich. '... the traditional songs of fishermen, miners and pack-horse drivers ...'

Record box. Energy and power - The Bach Collegium Japan performance of the St John Passion, experienced by Keith Bramich

Japanese Fantasy - Malcolm Miller admires the virtuosity of Hiromi Okada and the Sonata by Akio Yashiro

CD Spotlight. This is music - Listening to Japanese composer Akio Yashiro, by Keith Bramich. '... good performances and a clear recording.'

Editor's inbox - a selection of our readers' letters

Ensemble. Liszt at lunchtime - Eri Niiyama gives a recital in Tokyo's Suntory Hall, and Keith Bramich listens

Site seeing - In another visit to the world of classical music websites, Keith Bramich muses on competition and diversity, and visits the websites of Salvador Clofent, Jan Hart, Duane Peck, A Gioele Simonetto, Bristol Music Services and Japanese composer Tsutomu Tagashira

Ensemble - A Japanese 'Riverdance'? Keith Bramich (with simultaneous translation by Yuri Izawa) experiences the four thousand strong spectacle of 'Sleeping King - the promise of love with a true heart'

CD Spotlight - Eclatant, Lumineux. 'Mr Bekhterev emerges as one of the greatest Scriabin interpreters of all.' Boris Bekhterev plays Scriabin, reviewed by John Bell Young

Teenage talent - Malcolm Miller hears Asuka Nakamura at Leighton House, London

Record box - Ample gifts. From the world of Brahms, with Basil Ramsey

Ensemble - In memory. Keith Bramich reports on a McCabe première, given as part of Japan 2001

On watch at the Van Cliburn Competition - with John Bell Young

Remarkable young ensembles - Patric Standford attended the UK's National Young Musicians' Festival

Japanese tone painting - Takemitsu, Schumann and Musorgsky. Malcolm Miller at a recent recital by Noriko Ogawa

Site seeing - Snow White and the 7th Virus - websites recommended by our readers, with Keith Bramich

Record box - Visiting ducks. Encounters with a recorder quartet, by Basil Ramsey

Site seeing - Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001), and more top websites

Berlin Festival Diary - Five weeks condensed into three, with Bill Newman (concluded from last week)