United States of America

The USA has a Western classical music tradition dating back to the eighteenth century.  During the second half of the nineteenth century, American music began to differ from European western classical music, particularly in New England.

American music is based on European classical music, on local American folk music and, from the twentieth century onwards, on jazz, African-American music and other popular music styles.

Our articles about the USA and about American musicians and composers are below, with the most recent listed first.

 

A selection of articles about United States of America

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

Spotlight. A Winning Personality - Gerald Fenech strongly recommends music by Eugène Ysaÿe on the Avie Records label. '... passionate intensity and inspired brilliance ...'

Spotlight. Neither Romantic nor Modern - Gerald Fenech recommends Francesca Dego's new recording of violin concertos by Brahms and Busoni. '... splendidly recorded and annotated ...'

Ensemble. A Terrific Concert - Ron Bierman listens to Gill Shaham and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rafael Payare

Classical music news. March 2024 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our March 2024 one hour video newsletter - Classical Music and Politics

A Crack in Time? - A rare Leap Day editorial from Keith Bramich

Classical music news - Weight in the Fingertips - Ukrainian-American pianist Inna Faliks' recent book tells the story of her upbringing in a Soviet state and her path to becoming a concert pianist

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.'

Spotlight. Absolute Brilliance - Gerald Fenech recommends Warner Classics' forty-two disc set of recordings by Paavo Berglund. '... a precious treasure-trove packed with musical diamonds that took twenty-seven years to complete.'

Ensemble. An Outstanding Choice - Ron Bierman is impressed by J S Bach, Barber and Haydn, played by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra led by veteran Dutch conductor Edo de Waart

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. Gurwitz Winners - Yungyung Guo, Tatiana Dorokhova and Young Sun Choi win medals at the 2024 Gurwitz International Piano Competition

Spotlight. A Romantic Piano Master - Esdras Mugatik listens to Shura Cherkassky. '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'

Ensemble. An Expendable Frivolity? - Ron Bierman assesses San Diego Opera's production of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni'

Spotlight. Inexhaustible Genius - Gerald Fenech welcomes a new disc of sacred choral music by William Byrd. '... the singing is consistently exquisite, marvellously balanced and warmly intimate.'

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. A Marvelous Concert in an Exceptional Setting - Ron Bierman reports on Mozart from the San Diego Symphony and Raphael Payare

Profile. It's Art - Ron Bierman talks to Amerian opera director Kyle Lang

Zwilich - A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

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

Spotlight. Excavations of Meaning - John Dante Prevedini recommends song cycles by contemporary American composer Douglas Boyce. '... an unusual vision bravely conceived and sensitively executed by all involved.'

Spotlight. Virtuosic Flair - Gerald Fenech recommends dance music played by Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. 'Daniel Hope's fiddle-playing is just phenomenal ...'

Classical music news. Obituary - Peter Schickele (1935-2024)

A Constant, Authentic Genius - Roderic Dunnett pays tribute to composer Gerard Schurmann on the centenary of his birth

Afternoon Tea with Gerard - On the eve of the centenary of the birth of composer Gerard Schurmann, Keith Bramich shares the address that he gave, remotely, at Schurmann's memorial service

Classical music news - Composers and Conductors - A selection of news items from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, the UK and elsewhere

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

Inspiring Joy - Jeffrey Neil talks to American composer Jenny Wei about the use of new technologies

Spotlight. Superb Playing - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by Stravinsky. '... consistently transparent and intensely alive.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Alice Parker (1925-2023)

Classical music news. January 2024 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our January 2024 video newsletter - Twenty-five Years

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

Learning How to Play Again with 'The Nutcracker' - Jeffrey Neil shares some thoughts about Tchaikovsky's ballet, following a visit to Oakland Ballet's production in California, USA

Spotlight. Polish and Sensitivity - Stephen Francis Vasta listens to music for piano and orchestra by Anton Rubinstein. 'The performance is excellent ...'

Ensemble. Lots to Enjoy - Mike Wheeler was at Derby Concert Orchestra's Christmas Concert

Spotlight. Warmth and Sonoric Exuberance - Gerald Fenech heartily recommends Tugan Sokhiev conducting brass arrangements of well-known overtures. '... exhilarating, spectacular, absorbing.'

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

Ensemble. Innocence Leading to Empathy - Ron Bierman experiences the mariachi opera 'The Miracle of Remembering'

Spotlight. Synergies of Tradition - John Dante Prevedini is impressed by the Christmas music of Patrick Hawes. '... meticulously conceived across every perceptible dimension ...'

Spotlight. Colourful and Exciting - Geoff Pearce listens to early orchestral music by Sergei Rachmaninov conducted by Leonard Slatkin. '... this reissue is most welcome ...'

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

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

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. Inventive Programming - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Vaughan Williams, George Walker and Tchaikovsky

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. 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.'

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.'

A Treasure Trove - Roderic Dunnett explores the substantial catalogue of Regent Records

Spotlight. Forty Years in Showbusiness - Gerald Fenech unreservedly recommends a new recording of Aled Jones, duetting with his younger self. '... a thrilling and vibrant journey of melodic invention.'

Ensemble. An Outstanding Concert - Ron Bierman listens to chamber music by Haydn, Ravel, Mendelssohn and Dvořák from Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Lisa Batiashvili and Gautier Capuçon

Spotlight. Most Innovative and Interesting - Music for horn, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. '... one cannot help but be impressed with the performances, the power of the music and what it is expressing ...'

The Magnanimity of Michael Tilson Thomas - Jeffrey Neil reflects on a performance of Beethoven's Choral Symphony

Spotlight. Complex and Interesting - Songs for tenor, violin, cello and percussion, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. '... the tenor, Brian Thorsett, has an admirable technique ...'

Ensemble. An Uncanny Cool and Relaxed Demeanour - Malcolm Miller is impressed by the London recital of young Chinese-Canadian pianist Kevin Chen

Classical music news. A Competition, a Resignation and a New Opera - The Global Music Education League's competition returns to China after a four-year break, Martyn Brabbins resigns from English National Opera with immediate effect, and excerpts from Jaap Nico Hamburger's new opera 'Ariella' are to be performed across Canada

Spotlight. A Fine Recording - Geoff Pearce listens to cello sonatas by Evan Fein and Johannes Brahms. '... I particularly enjoyed the new sonata by Evan Fein.'

Spotlight. East meets West - Geoff Pearce enjoys music from Türkiye and its neighbouring countries. 'Immediately one is struck by the sensitivity, technical proficiency and joy of these two performers, flautist Nicole Esposito and harpist Çağatay Akyol.'

Classical music news. Klein String Competition - Applications open on 1 November 2023 for the 2024 Irving M Klein International String Competition

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

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

Spotlight. A Complete Triumph - Gerald Fenech is exhilarated by the Philadelphia Orchestra's recording of symphonies by Florence Price and William Dawson. '... a vibrant energy that makes the music sound as fresh and exciting as when it was first heard.'

Classical music news. October 2023 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our October 2023 one hour video newsletter - Classical Music and Artificial Intelligence

Classical music news - A New Worker-owned Cooperative - American classical recording company Soundmirror has transitioned to employee ownership

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

Spotlight. A Gloriously Captivating Voice - Gerald Fenech listens to tenor Jonathan Tetelman singing Puccini. '... a must for all Puccini fans ...'

Spotlight. Shostakovich at his Sardonic Best - Geoff Pearce listens to symphonies by Dmitri Shostakovich connected to the year 1917. '... a very interesting and fine set.'

CD Spotlight. Serious Dramatic Goals - Gerald Fenech listens to a unique recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Oklahoma!'. 'A humdinger of an album, excitingly performed and superbly recorded.'

Ensemble. Deep Friendships - Keith Bramich is impressed by Byron Wallis, Bérengère de Gromard and Jeanne Pinget's concert in memory of Malcolm Scott

Classical music news - Pacifica Quartet - The Pacifica Quartet returns as Don Michael Randel ensemble-in-residence at Chicago University

Classical music news - A Bridge Between Genres - Beethovenfest Bonn features the first appearance of Israeli-American conductor Yoel Gamzou's new kind of orchestra, bridging genres and playing 50% first performances

CD Spotlight. Expressive and Virtuosic - Music by Todd Mason, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. 'The Budapest Scoring Orchestra, conductor Péter Illényi and soloist Tosca Opdam are all very committed to this music and obviously enjoy performing it.'

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

Spreading Light and Making Darkness Vanish - Luiza Catrinel Marinescu remembers her classmate, the Romanian pianist Eugen Alcalay and explores the pianist's mother's book 'Rhapsody in black and white with Leonard Bernstein'

CD Spotlight. A Bernstein No One Has Heard - John Dante Prevedini is impressed by a new release of early chamber music by Bernstein and Copland. '... thoughtfully curated and meticulously executed.'

Classical music news - The Innocent Fields - Recent items of interest, including the Presteigne Festival, Jonathan McPhee adapting Wagner, Nick Hely-Hutchinson's Perfect Pitch podcast, the Stabat Mater music calendar and a study of unusual vocal techniques

CD Spotlight. A Common Thread - Music by Kjetil Bjerkestrand and Philip Glass, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a must for contemporary music lovers ...'

CD Spotlight. Beyond Recommendation - Gerald Fenech welcomes Rachmaninov orchestral music from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nézet-Séguin on Deutsche Grammophon. 'Intensity, ebullience, vibrancy, passion and realism are the ingredients of these performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Gripping, Compelling Work - Geoff Pearce is impressed by Canadian composer Evan Ware's symphonies. '... assured technique, passion, agility and grace ...'

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

CD Spotlight. Masterly Intuition - Gerald Fenech gives the thumbs up to Danacord's Thomas Jensen Legacy Volume 15. '... unfettered enthusiasm and emotional gusto.'

Classical music news - Emotional Highs - Forthcoming performances in the USA and UK

Ensemble. Delightfully Unusual - Ron Bierman listens to some 'Fantastic Tales' at the La Jolla Music Society's Summerfest

CD Spotlight. Layers of Visibility - John Dante Prevedini considers an important release of music by female Korean composers. '... a prime example of grassroots leadership in the vital cause of making the field of music composition more open to the full spectrum of composers.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Carl Davis (1936-2023)

Ensemble. Conjuring the Spirit of Bernstein - Adam J Sacks reports on two Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts at Tanglewood

Ensemble. Unexpected Pleasures - Ron Bierman was at the opening of La Jolla Music Society's Summerfest season

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

CD Spotlight. Startlingly Fresh and Very American - Patrick Maxwell is impressed by Maurice Abravanel and the Utah Symphony Orchestra's Tchaikovsky. '... impassioned string playing and vibrant conducting.'

Classical music news. Obituary - André Watts (1946-2023)

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

Profile. A Spiritual Journey - Roderic Dunnett takes an extended look at the career of English composer Ian Venables, and listens to a recent performance of the orchestral version of his Requiem

CD Spotlight. The Space as an Instrument - John Dante Prevedini listens to the fine sonic details of music by the late Alvin Lucier

Ensemble. An Evening of Marvelous Musical Variety - Ron Bierman listens to Pacho Flores, Rafael Payare and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra playing music by Roberto Sierra, Bernstein and Rachmaninov

Ensemble. Energising Freshness and Exuberance - Malcolm Miller listens to string quartets by three émigré Austrian-born composers

Ensemble. Joy Indeed - Beethoven's Choral Symphony at the University of California San Diego impresses Ron Bierman

Profile. The Self-Assured Conductor - Anett Fodor tells the story of Arthur Nikisch, from his Hungarian roots to international acclaim

Classical music news. Making the world safe for small pianists - The Stretto Piano Festival and other forthcoming events, including the Verbier, Berkshire High Peaks, Presteigne and Oxford International Song festivals

CD Spotlight. Heavy Going - Anton Rubinstein piano concertos Nos 3 and 5, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. 'Anna Shelest does what she can with the material - her big chords are resonant, and her sparkling arpeggios delightful ...'

CD Spotlight. Smothered into Oblivion? - Music by Bernard Herrmann, fervently recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'This is impassioned advocacy for this American genius, in heartfelt performances full of unbridled emotion and unaffected sincerity.'

Music as a Form of Magic - Larry Sitsky: Late Piano Pieces - Second Series 2022-2023

Classical music news. Obituary - Peter Dickinson (1934-2023)

An Act of Love - Malcolm Miller discusses the play 'Dedication'

CD Spotlight. Stunning Performances - Gerald Fenech reviews two discs of music by American composer Florence Price. 'This is music overflowing with an abundance of melody, tinged with sadness and regret, which is crying out to be heard.'

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

CD Spotlight. Quite Eclectic - Geoff Pearce is entertained by three absurdist works from the 1930s. '... a snapshot of a different age, captured brilliantly.'

Ensemble. An Important Voice - Mike Wheeler listens to Florence Price and Dvořák

Ensemble. Undeniable Brilliance and Thrills - Ron Bierman listens to Brahms, Dvořák and Gity Razaz

Ensemble. Bold and Resolute - Roderic Dunnett is impressed by a performance of Amy Beach's Mass in E flat

CD Spotlight. Wonderful and Charming - Gerald Fenech listens to Isata Kanneh-Mason. '... the soloist's supreme mastery of each piece is unimpeachable throughout.'

Ensemble. A Backwards Bohème - Adam J Sacks reports from Opera Philadelphia

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

CD Spotlight. An Intriguing Snapshot - Keith Bramich listens to piano music by Robert Matthew-Walker. 'Mark Bebbington ... is exemplary here, bringing out all the contrasts and mood changes ...'

Ensemble. Crushing Pathos - Ron Bierman listens to Nicolas Reveles' 'Ghosts'

CD Spotlight. A Fascinating Recording - Geoff Pearce listens to new orchestral music conducted by Mikel Toms on Ablaze Records. 'The playing from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and overall sound of the works showcased is very good indeed, and the programme notes are excellent.'

CD Spotlight. Tremendously Attractive and Exciting - Gerald Fenech recommends this Hyperion recording of Czech harpsichord concertos. 'All praise to Mahan Esfahani and his Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra team for compiling this hugely attractive programme, which is in fact a voyage of discovery of twentieth century Czech music.'

Ensemble. An Elegy for Mother Earth - Adam J Sacks listens to John Luther Adams' 'Vespers of the Blessed Earth'

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

CD Spotlight. Very Enjoyable - Geoff Pearce listens to the Tailleferre Ensemble. 'This is a lovely disc which will delight most listeners ...'

CD Spotlight. Sheer Effectiveness - Joseph Bologne's opera 'L'Amant Anonyme', recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Craig Trompeter and his team deliver some truly memorable performances full of vocal brilliance imbued with passion and excitement ...'

CD Spotlight. An Impressive Calling Card - Eight new North American works for solo cello and orchestra impress Paul Sarcich. 'Recording and orchestral playing are first rate, so the composers have been well served.'

Ensemble. A Curiously Unfamiliar Masterpiece - Malcolm Miller is impressed by Hana Mizuta-Spencer's performance of Ernest Bloch's Violin Concerto

Ensemble. Appealing Voices with Exceptional Power - Ron Bierman is entertained by San Diego Opera's production of Puccini's 'Tosca'

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

Profile. Big Roles - Ron Bierman talks to American soprano Michelle Bradley

Ensemble. Visits to the Doctor - Ron Bierman appreciates music by John Adams, Mozart and Rachmaninov from Ingrid Fliter, Edo de Waart and the San Diego Symphony

CD Spotlight. Lush and Tender - Geoff Pearce recommends a new recording of orchestral music and songs by Franz Schreker. '... these performances make a very compelling case to perform Schreker's music much more often.'

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - The Departed

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

Profile. A Fascinating Background and Career - Ron Bierman pays tribute to the late Nicolas Reveles, in the second part of his interview with the composer

Ensemble. Thoroughly Collegial - Mike Wheeler listens to Missy Mazzolli, Brahms and Beethoven from James Ehnes and the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kevin John Edusei

Classical music news. March 2023 Newsletter - Our March 2023 PDF newsletter has just been published, along with some extra classical music news and our February 2023 classical music obituaries

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Going for a Song

CD Spotlight. Caruso 150 - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Urania Records' new Caruso tribute album. 'One of the first major singing talents to be commercially recorded ...'

Astounding! - An open letter to a great artist, from Esdras Mugatik

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A short night at the opera

Ensemble. Puccini Duo - Ron Bierman was in the audience for San Diego Opera's 'Suor Angelica' and 'Gianni Schicchi'

Profile. Creativity, Imagination and Curiosity - Ron Bierman talks to American mezzo Stephanie Blythe

Ensemble. 'Doktor Faust' returns to Florence - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Ferruccio Busoni's opera

CD Spotlight. Simply Unmissable - Recordings of Renée Fleming at New York Metropolitan Opera impress Gerald Fenech. 'A gem of an issue dedicated to one of today's great divas, whose thrilling voice has excited and captivated audiences for more than three decades.'

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

CD Spotlight. Meditative yet Impassioned - Music for solo cor anglais, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The playing in this collection of small pieces is exemplary and inspiring ...'

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

Classical music news. Choral Music by Black Composers - Oxford University Press publishes Marques L A Garrett's significant choral music anthology

Classical music news. Obituary - Easley Blackwood (1933-2023)

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

Profile. Fascination with the Macabre - Ron Bierman talks to opera composer Nicolas Reveles

Ensemble. Complete Assurance - A delectable recital by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Meeting Performance Challenges Head-on - Music by Britten, Anna Clyne, Richard Strauss and Johann Strauss II from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Total Immersion - Ron Bierman listens to Anne Akiko Meyers, Domingo Hindoyan and the San Diego Symphony

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Extraordinary Adventures

Classical music news - American Invention - The New York Virtuoso Singers present a February 2023 concert of first performances

CD Spotlight. The Community Behind the Voice - John Dante Prevedini listens to music by Robert Carl and John McDonald. '... a rich, joyous and life-affirming tribute to the role of community in shaping the artistic voice.'

Towards the Unknown Region - The late George Colerick discusses Ralph Vaughan Williams as writer on music, particularly when he turns his thoughts towards Beethoven's Choral Symphony

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A New Look and Format

Classical music news - January Newsletter and December Obituaries - Our January 2023 PDF newsletter has just been published, along with a summary of those the classical music world lost in December 2022

Ensemble. Unimpeachable Sensitivity - Mike Wheeler listens to Walton, Ravel, Gershwin and Debussy from John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London

Ensemble. Bright Spots to Enjoy - Mike Wheeler was at Derby Concert Orchestra's Christmas Concert

Ensemble. Great Panache - Mike Wheeler listens to the Aquinas Trio

Ensemble. Breathtaking Energy and Commitment - Mike Wheeler listens to Filarmonica Braşov

CD Spotlight. Melodic Invention and Heartfelt Sincerity - Gerald Fenech recommends a Naxos recording of orchestral music by Florence Beatrice Price. 'John Jeter and his Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen provide truly splendid performances, vibrant and often pulsating, and superbly balanced.'

Classical music news. Obituary - John Aler (1970-2022)

Ensemble. Charm, Skill and Versatility - Ron Bierman listens to Isabel Leonard and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas in festive mood

Ensemble. Goose Bumps - Lucas Ball listens to Vaughan Williams and Delius sung by the Worcester Festival Choral Society

CD Spotlight. Themes of Love and Loss - Music by Berlioz impresses Gerald Fenech. 'John Nelson's supreme mastery of these scores draws peerless performances full of exciting moments from the Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg, while bringing to the fore all the innovative details of orchestration and harmony.'

CD Spotlight. Innate Musical Talent - Robert McCarney listens to Weinberger piano music. '... a very welcome CD ...'

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

Classical music news. Bernstein's String Quartet - Two movements of an early string quartet by Leonard Bernstein are to be recorded and issued on Navona Records next year

Ensemble. On the Day of the Dead - Ron Bierman reports from San Diego on Gabriela Lena Frank's opera 'El último sueño de Frida y Diego'

Profile. Imaginary Folklores - Robert McCarney talks to Azorean pianist Diana Botelho Vieira and reviews a recent concert in Spain

Classical music news. String Competition - Applications open on 1 November 2022 for the 2023 Irving M Klein International String Competition

Violinist, Teacher & Storyteller - Anett Fodor presents two amusing anecdotes which Carl Flesch shared with the readers of Hungarian newspapers

Classical music news. Dutch National Ballet - Wins for young dancers, plus an online concert of music by Steven R Gerber

CD Spotlight. Some Delicious Playing - Geoff Pearce listens to Stravinsky. 'The BBC Philharmonic's performance is fine indeed ...'

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

Classical music news. Edinburgh is a Story - Various items of news from around the world

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Attuned - Robert McCarney listens to music by Kevin Raftery. '... this is one of the most richly stimulating, impressive and sheerly enjoyable CDs of music, new or old, that I have heard in quite some time.'

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

Profile. Opera is a Whole New World - As rehearsals begin for her new opera, Gabriela Lena Frank talks to Ron Bierman

CD Spotlight. A Monumental Treasure Chest - Gerald Fenech listens to the complete Warner recordings of Frank Peter Zimmermann. 'Inspired music-making that should keep you company for months on end ...'

CD Spotlight. Secret Love Letters - Lisa Batiashvili plays Chausson, Debussy, Franck and Szymanowski, warmly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Batiashvili plays this programme with ultra-sensitive feeling and moving emotional ardour that penetrate right to the heart of this sublime music which reveals the inscrutable depths of the human soul.'

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

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

Ensemble. The Craftsman and the Icon - John Dante Prevedini reports from Tanglewood

CD Spotlight. A Spectacular Release - Gerald Fenech listens to film music played by John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London. '... an absolutely rewarding hour ...'

CD Spotlight. A Magnificent and Powerful Recording - Geoff Pearce listens to Augustin Hadelich. '... an impressive technique and tone ...'

CD Spotlight. Moving the World - Gerald Fenech listens to Dvořák's last three symphonies. '... Dudamel amplifies the turbulent emotions of each work with a power and intensity that you do not hear every day.'

Classical music news. Gramercy Brass - A high profile brass group based in New York, the Gramercy Brass Orchestra, celebrates its fortieth anniversary and the ninetieth birthday of film composer John Williams

Ensemble. Figaro in Hollywood - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of a new production of Rossini's 'Il barbiere di Siviglia'

Ensemble. Vitality and Imagination - Mike Wheeler listens to the Delphine Trio, in his last report from the 2022 Buxton Festival

Ensemble. Songs from the Shows - Mike Wheeler enjoys a 'Strictly Musical' evening at Buxton Opera House

Ensemble. A Welcome Opportunity - Mike Wheeler listens to the recital 'Colour My Song' at the 2022 Buxton Festival

CD Spotlight. Nobler in the Mind? - Giuseppe Pennisi finds Joseph Summer's 'Hamlet' a musical hodgepodge. '... almost in late Romantic style.'

Classical music news - Return of the Discovery Orchestra - An American orchestra returns post-pandemic to help its audience find inspiration

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 ...'

Ensemble. Warmth and Sassiness - Mike Wheeler was at Buxton Opera House for 'Gypsy: A Musical Fable'

Ensemble. Stunningly Staged and Sung - Longborough Festival Opera's 'Die tote Stadt', extolled by Roderic Dunnett

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

Classical music news. Bard Music Festival - Bard Music Festival, beginning 5 August 2022, explores the life and times of one of the last great romantics in 'Rachmaninoff and His World'

Classical music news. Pierrot Chamber Music Festival - The Pierrot Chamber Music Festival celebrates its summer season at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center in Garden City, New York, USA

Ensemble. Changing Tastes - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience for Leonard Bernstein's 'Mass'

CD Spotlight. Interesting and Quite Unique - Geoff Pearce commends this set of orchestral music by Ukrainian composer Boris Lyatoshynsky. 'There is some very impressive playing here by this magnificent orchestra.'

CD Spotlight. A New Dimension - Gerald Fenech listens to 'Klezmer Fiddler on the Roof'. '... an orchestral disc that aspiring artists and fans of theatre music can sing along to.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Richard Taruskin (1945-2022)

Classical music news. July 2022 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our July 2022 newsletter - Youth Involvement in Classical Music

Ensemble. Songs of the Distance - Giuseppe Pennisi describes how American music is back, alive and well at the Spoleto Festival

Ensemble. Commemorating Malcolm Goldring - The Sitwell Singers pay tribute to their former conductor, with help from various friends and colleagues, including a new work written for the occasion by Bob Chilcott, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Expanses in Miniature - Roberta Rust plays piano music by Louis W Ballard, heard by John Dante Prevedini. '... a probing, articulate and understated artistic collaboration whose proper exposure is long overdue.'

Ensemble. Bright Spots - Mike Wheeler listens to Jess Gillam and the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell

CD Spotlight. Treasureable Qualities - Gerald Fenech listens to Andris Nelsons conducting two orchestras in music by Richard Strauss. '... superlative performances from both orchestras, who are on top form throughout.'

Ensemble. A Revolutionary Score - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience for Verdi's 'Ernani', back in Rome

CD Spotlight. Exceptionally Pleasing - String quartets by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'The Arabella Quartet despatches these graceful cameos with aplomb, and the playing is immensely cohesive and consistently alive.'

Classical music news. June 2022 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our June 2022 newsletter - a special feature on women composers

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

CD Spotlight. A Rich Tradition - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by American composer William Grant Still. 'A peach of an issue, superbly performed, recorded and annotated.'

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 ...'

Ensemble. A Crash Between Worlds - Adam J Sacks describes something entirely new, combining Brahms and Radiohead

CD Spotlight. Shooting and Madness - Geoff Pearce listens to a powerful opera about the Vietnam War. 'This disk will shock you like very few other recordings ...'

Profile. Suffering and Delight - Ron Bierman talks to conductor Rafael Payare

Ensemble. Becoming One - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Raphael Clarkson, Cecilia McDowall, Beethoven, Bartók, Preetha Narayanan and Mozart to celebrate Sinfonia Viva's fortieth anniversary

Profile. A Dramatic Entrance - Matt Spangler and Lucy Mauro shine a light on an American classical pioneer

Ensemble. Stewards of Creation - Haydn's 'The Creation' marks Harry Christophers' final concert with Boston's Handel and Haydn Society, heard by John Dante Prevedini

Classical music news. May 2022 Newsletter - Our May 2022 PDF newsletter has just been published

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

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

CD Spotlight. A Glorious Operatic Triumph - Gerald Fenech listens to Korngold's 'Die tote Stadt'. '... Klaus Florian Vogt and Camilla Nylund rise superbly to the occasion with some searing interpretations worthy of the score.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Karl Korte (1928-2022)

CD Spotlight. Incomparable Musical Beauty - Gerald Fenech listens to Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius' from Carnegie Hall. '... a precious addition to this acclaimed treasure trove of historic recordings ...'

CD Spotlight. An Immense Achievement - The final disc in Naxos' series of John Philip Sousa wind band music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... Keith Brion and his players do themselves proud with some superb playing full of dash and swagger ...'

Classical music news. April 2022 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our April 2022 newsletter

Classical music news - The Usedom Music Festival - A German music festival features three concerts with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Profile. Andriy Lehki - John Dante Prevedini interviews Ukrainian musicologist Andriy Lehki about his undelivered 24 February 2022 lecture, 'Minimalism - The Pathway to Success'

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

Profile. Behind the Words and Between the Lines - Ron Bierman talks to Canadian conductor Yves Abel

Classical music news. March 2022 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our March 2022 newsletter

CD Spotlight. Many Fine Moments - Geoff Pearce listens to Richard Strauss played by the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble. '... a fine disc of works which are not recorded so often ...'

Ensemble. A Compelling Intimacy - Mike Wheeler listens to Beethoven and Berlioz from Stephen Waarts, the Hallé Orchestra and Maxime Pascal

CD Spotlight. Noble Grief - Music from Leonard Slatkin and his family, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... legendary renditions full of mesmerizing violin playing ...'

CD Spotlight. A Series of Polished Gems - Roderic Dunnett listens to chamber, instrumental music and songs by Gerard Schurmann. 'This is one of the most enchanting, fragile, flawless song cycles I have ever heard, anywhere.'

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

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

CD Spotlight. Highly Imaginative - Fantasies by Sousa, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... the music is as exciting and entertaining as one would wish for.'

Classical music news - December 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost last month

Ensemble. A Sonic Silk Road - Music for guitar, for erhu and for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, heard by Adam J Sacks

Ensemble. Neatly Characterised - The Cann Twins play Rachmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Brahms, Johann Strauss II, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin and Jeffrey Reid Baker, heard by Mike Wheeler

Cleavage Pianists: Let's Be Fair - Esdras Mugatik argues the case for the music

Ensemble. Hugely Enjoyable - Bernstein, Marsalis and Musorgsky from Nicola Benedetti, Cristian Măcelaru and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Imaginative and Different - A variety of Christmas music from Navona Records, heard by Keith Bramich. '... played superbly.'

Ensemble. A Fun Evening - Mike Wheeler listens to a pre-Christmas programme from Derby Concert Orchestra

Ensemble. Two Young Stars in the Musical Firmament - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to cellist Zlatomir Fung and pianist Richard Fu

CD Spotlight. Dualities of Creation - Notated and improvised music by Tyshawn Sorey, heard by John Dante Prevedini. '... essential listening for anyone seeking a snapshot of effective synergies between process and product in contemporary music for chamber orchestra.'

CD Spotlight. Dance Music - Lowell Liebermann's ballet 'Frankenstein', heard by Gerald Fenech. '... an electrifying aura ...'

Ensemble. Powerful, Exhilarating Results - Mike Wheeler reports on Opera North's production of Leonard Bernstein's 'Trouble in Tahiti'

CD Spotlight. A Treasure Trove of Unending Melodic Content - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Leroy Anderson. 'Leonard Slatkin and co are on top form, and their performances are superbly rounded, full of swagger and consistently fresh and spirited.'

Ensemble. Unlocking Operatic Dimensions - John Dante Prevedini reviews the cinematic horror opera 'Cesare, Child of Night' by Jonathan Beard, Stewart Schill and Michael Cramer, and then interviews Jonathan Beard and Stewart Schill

Classical music news - October and November 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this and last month

CD Spotlight. Emotional Warmth and Richness of Melody - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Florence Price. '... this trailblazing composer must be listened to ...'

Ensemble. Earth and the Future of Mankind - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences 'Koyaanisqatsi', by Philip Glass, in Rome

CD Spotlight. The Syntax of Worlds - John Dante Prevedini listens to music by American composer Pierre Jalbert. '... Jalbert ... implies a novel dimension of meaning by presenting distinct sonic universes in a syntactically suggestive sequence.'

Classical music news. November 2021 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our November 2021 newsletter

Classical music news. Obituary - Bernard Haitink (1929-2021)

Ensemble. A Triumph of Mahler and Hrůša - Giuseppe Pennisi was at one of the opening concerts of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's new season

Classical music news. Training in Vienna - The second group of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Academy students is beginning its training

Ensemble. A Modern Thriller - Giuseppe Pennisi was at a performance in Rome of the Italian version of Gian Carlo Menotti's 'The Medium'

Ensemble. A Zest for Rebirth - John Dante Prevedini reports on the opening of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's new season, including a performance of John Williams' Violin Concerto No 2

CD Spotlight. The Depths of the Singular - John Dante Prevedini listens to Victoria Jordanova's 'Kernel & Grit'. '... musical storytelling ... can be about the creative potential of something as humble as an unwatered seed or a layer of dust.'

CD Spotlight. Music of Wit and Charm - Works by Ernst von Dohnányi and Leó Weiner, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... fine and unfamiliar music, played to perfection by the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Roberto Paternostro.'

Profile. Serving the Larger Community - Ron Bierman talks to David Bennett, general director of the San Diego Opera Association

CD Spotlight. Teenage Years - Mendelssohn's String Symphonies, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are energetic and inspiring throughout, with a touch of crispness consistently at the centre of things.'

CD Spotlight. Reich through German Eyes and Ears - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to a Steve Reich anthology. '... a very dramatic reading with a small number of instrumentalists ...'

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.'

CD Spotlight. Sorrow and Gratification - Geoff Pearce listens to music by Xiaogang Ye. '... a fitting reflection of the work of this fine composer.'

CD Spotlight. Innovative and Different - Paul Abrahám's operetta 'Ball at the Savoy' impresses Gerald Fenech. '... the performance has a rhythmic energy that keeps the music flowing effortlessly from start to finish ...'

Beyond COVID-19 - Ron Bierman takes a look at the current classical music scene in San Diego

Ensemble. A Booming Success - Ron Bierman reports on the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, live at its upgraded outdoor concert hall

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

CD Spotlight. An Exquisite Compilation - A selection of popular orchestral music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Spiritedly performed and superbly recorded ...'

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. Old and New - Giuseppe Pennisi returns to the Chigiana Festival

Ensemble. A Year Late - Keith Bramich pays a visit to the Three Choirs Festival

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

Ensemble. Whatever He's On, I Want Some - Mike Wheeler listens to Kathryn Stott's Buxton recital

CD Spotlight. A Very Special CD - Band music by John Philip Sousa, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Sensitive and engrossingly passionate performances ...'

Ensemble. A Magical Production - Mike Wheeler reports on the Buxton Festival's first ever musical - Stephen Sondheim's 'A Little Night Music'

Ensemble. The Seven Year Itch - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Chigiana International Festival and Summer Academy

Ensemble. Catching Up - Giuseppe Pennisi attends the final two concerts of the Musica d'Amare Festival in Rome

Classical music news - Newsletter plus June Obituaries - Classical Music Daily's July 2021 Newsletter, has just been published, along with a summary of musicians the classical music world lost last month

Ensemble. Fresh and Appealing - Mike Wheeler listens to the Françaix Wind Trio

Ensemble. Seven Siblings - Mike Wheeler listens to performances by members of the Kanneh-Mason family

CD Spotlight. Magical Equilibrium - Patrick Maxwell listens to Mozart Violin Sonatas played by Oscar Shumsky and Leopold Mittman. '... a striking hold over tone and articulation ...'

CD Spotlight. A Strong Partnership - Riviera Lazeri and David Boldrini play Martinů Cello Sonatas, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... the performances on this disc are truly very admirable.'

Profile. Paul Zicheng Fu: A Life in Music - Gordon Andrew R investigates a Chinese-born composer who has settled in Canada

CD Spotlight. A Bridge between Musical Cultures - Music by Lukas Ligeti, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'If you like electronic music and African (even archaic) music, this CD is your perfect cup of tea.'

Classical music news. Defining Our Field - Classical Music Daily's June 2021 Newsletter is a panel discussion led by John Dante Prevedini, and has just been published as a video podcast

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

Ensemble. Three Divas - Maria Nockin reviews a streamed recital from Versailles, given by Ailyn Pérez, Nadine Sierra, Isabel Leonard, Vlad Iftinca and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

Defining Our Field - John Dante Prevedini asks what is 'classical music' to us, why are we involved and what can we learn from our differences?

CD Spotlight. Truly Revelatory - Music by English composer Cipriani Potter, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Howard Griffiths and his BBC National Orchestra of Wales players deliver electrifying performances full of rhythmic vitality and lyrical warmth ...'

CD Spotlight. A Master of Improvisation - Music by Roland Dyens played by Anna Mnich and recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'The guitarist is clean in her execution, sympathetic in her musical treatment and her harmonics are flawless.'

Ensemble. A Quartet of Jubilation - Vocal music by Wagner and Richard Strauss, streamed from Germany and enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Figaro via Laugh-in - Ron Bierman reviews San Diego Opera's parking-lot production of Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville'

Classical music news. Streaming, Downloads and CDs - Classical Music Daily's May 2021 Newsletter has just been published as a video podcast

Ensemble. Rollicking Comedy - Maria Nockin reports from San Diego Opera's drive-in performances of Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville'

CD Spotlight. A Lovely Gesture - Stephen Francis Vasta listens to Latvian conductor Mariss Jansons' last concert. 'The home listener, even without visual evidence, can sense that all was not well.'

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

Ensemble. In the Easter Egg - Giuseppe Pennisi takes a critical look at two April 2021 performances of Verdi's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. Enthralling Sound Colours - Malcolm Miller listens to young violinist Michael Foyle's recital of Beethoven, Brahms and Kreisler in London

Profile. Donald Nally - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė talks to American choral conductor Donald Nally, director of The Crossing

Classical music news. Obituary - Simon Bainbridge (1952-2021)

Classical music news. Creativity, Innovation and Re-invention - Classical Music Daily's April 2021 Newsletter has just been published as a video podcast

Ensemble. Elegant and Innovative - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Teatro dell'Opera di Roma's Homage to Stravinsky

Ensemble. A Higher Synthesis - Adam J Sacks marks the re-convening of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Lusciously Fragile - Music by Ottorino Respighi, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Davide Alogna performs the Concerto with unbridled dexterity ...'

CD Spotlight. Exquisitely Written - Flute music for Louis XIV's Court, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'This is music full of gentle sensitivity and graceful intimacy, wonderfully performed and recorded, and a veritable treasure trove from the height of the French baroque era.'

Ensemble. A Fast Rising Career - Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva's Met Stars recital with pianist Julien Quentin, experienced by Maria Nockin

Classical music news. Hang in there together - Classical Music Daily's March 2021 Newsletter has just been published as a video podcast

A Miracle in New York - Piano Lessons in the Time of Covid (pace, Gabriel García Márquez), by Gloria DeVidas Kirchheimer

Classical music news - Steven Gerber - The English Symphony Orchestra presents a Steven Gerber portrait concert

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

Classical music news. Peter Forbes - A recently retired medical doctor launches Forbes International Artist Management to help a new generation of classical musicians

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

CD Spotlight. Engrossingly Moving - Works for clarinet and orchestra by Nielsen, Copland and MacMillan, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'A challenging programme, superbly presented and recorded.'

Ensemble. Appreciation of Nature - Maria Nockin reviews a 'Met Stars' online concert from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, featuring Anna Netrebko, Elena Maximova and Pavel Nebolsin

Ensemble. An Opera for Voices - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Vincenzo Bellini's rarely-staged 'Il Pirata'

Ensemble. Fit for Streaming? - Giuseppe Pennisi investigates various current and recent opera productions

Classical music news. Barlow Endowment - Applications are open for the Barlow Prize, Barlow General Commission and Barlow Latter-day Saints Commission

Classical music news. Singing in Cars? - Classical Music Daily's February 2021 Newsletter has just been published as a video podcast

Classical music news. In Memoriam Krzysztof Penderecki - Polish Cultural Institute New York presents a worldwide programme honouring the life and legacy of the Polish composer

Ensemble. Arduous and Contrasting Passion - Bellini's 'I Puritani' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, recommended by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Smooth High Notes and Powerful Drama - Piotr Beczała and Sondra Radvanovsky's Met Stars Live recital from Wuppertal, recommended by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Great Entertainment - SOMM Recordings' second volume of film music, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Iain Sutherland and his Promenade players display no want of energy and each track is tackled with effervescence and enthusiasm, making the music sound even more exciting than it was thought to be.'

Classical music news - Dreams of a New Day - Cedille Records announces new releases for 2021

CD Spotlight. The Sweetness of Life - Music by French baroque composer Michel-Richard de Lalande, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'The instrumental ensemble, playing period instruments or a violin manufactured in 2011 but after period specifications, is excellent.'

CD Spotlight. An Individualistic Voice - Music by French composer Florent Schmitt, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'The orchestra and soloists are very fine, and the atmospheric nature of the music is beautifully captured.'

Ensemble. A Fun-loving Tradition - New York Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve Gala Concert, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Classical music news. Upgrading to the Visual - Classical Music Daily's January 2021 Newsletter has just been published in a new video podcast format

Classical music news - Contemporary Classical Music from Iran - Petrichor Records announces four new CD releases of contemporary classical music from Iranian and Iranian-American composers

CD Spotlight. An Atmosphere of Serene Beauty - Matthew Washington Kennedy's 'familiar favorites', recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Hugely pleasant stuff, passionately executed and recorded.'

How Audiences See the World - Reinventing music for social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, by John Dante Prevedini

Ensemble. A Delightful Addition to Christmas - Bryn Terfel in Wales, the latest Met Stars live in concert, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Classical music news - December 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Classical music news. Personal, Political and Social Lockdown - An assortment of short news items, plus 'Seven Deadly Sins', Classical Music Daily's December 2020 Newsletter, just published in a new audio podcast format

Classical music news - November 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

CD Spotlight. Six Composers, Piano, Strings and Voice - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to works by six female composers. '... performed profoundly ...'

CD Spotlight. Beset by Misfortune - Gerald Fenech listens to 'Kullervo' by Jean Sibelius. '... beautifully shaped and vocally refined and the voices come across clear and resonant.'

Ensemble. Great Emphasis on Detail - Giuseppe Pennisi enjoys streamed performances of a Carmen double bill in Rome

Ensemble. Horns and Headlights? - Ron Bierman reports on San Diego Opera's 'La bohème' from a parking lot in San Diego

Profile. From Live Performance to Live Streaming - Anett Fodor continues her series of interviews with some of our era's most interesting artists, and today she talks to British pianist Leon McCawley about some of the new challenges to artistic life

Classical music news. November 2020 Newsletter - 'Time and Space', Classical Music Daily's November 2020 Newsletter, has just been published, along with an assortment of short news items

Ensemble. A Nuanced, Idiomatic Portrayal - San Diego Opera's first drive-in opera - 'La bohème', appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Big Statements - Laurence Caldecote plays works by Théodore-César Salomé, William Harris, Hendrik Andriessen, George Frideric Handel, Wallace Sabin, Herbert Howells, Leonard Butler and Jean Sibelius for the Derby Cathedral Autumn Organ Recitals, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Delightful Morning - Diana Damrau and Joseph Calleja sing live from Caserta in Italy as part of Met Stars Live in Concert, experienced by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Time and Space - Geoff Pearce recommends accessible contemporary music for cello by French composer Dominique Lemaître, played by Dan Barrett. 'All the artists involved, and especially cellist Dan Barrett, produce truly inspirational music making.'

Ensemble. A Survival Strategy - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about the current music scene in Italy, touching on recent notable performances

Ensemble. A Fine Balance - Mike Wheeler listens to Thomas Hawkes playing J S Bach, Percy Fletcher, Pietro Yon, Johannes Brahms, C S Lang and Louis Vierne on the Compton Organ at Derby Cathedral

Classical music news - Refugee Orchestra Project - New commissions are up and running in Lidiya Yankovskaya's project which demonstrates the importance of refugees to the United States cultural scene

Classical music news - The Piano Student - A 2019 novel about pianist Vladimir Horowitz is published in the United States and United Kingdom this month in an English translation

Ensemble. A Space to Reflect - Adam J Sacks was at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's season opener for music by Copland, Beethoven, Doming Lam and Richard Strauss

Classical music news - Fermi's Paradox - Sono Luminus releases a new recording by Carolyn Surrick and Ronn McFarlane

Classical music news - Virtual Cellobello Gala 2020 - Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Alisa Weilerstein and Pieter Wispelwey will perform at the virtual CelloBello Gala on Sunday 11 October 2020

CD Spotlight. The Sweetness of Life - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to harpsichord music by François Couperin. '... the key note is B flat major which at the time was an experimental, almost avant-garde tonality. Jory Vinikour shows it very well and demonstrates how Couperin was ahead of many other harpsichordists.'

CD Spotlight. Particularly Arresting - Further music by the recently deceased American composer Paul Reale impresses Geoff Pearce. 'Although these works are in an unmistakably modern idiom, they are exciting, fresh and performed with panache.'

Classical music news - September 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

CD Spotlight. A Very Impressive Disc - Geoff Pearce listens to music for trumpet by Australian composer Brendan Collins. 'There is some fantastic playing by all the artists on the disc which is sure to delight all who hear it.'

Ensemble. Absolute Purity of Tone - American mezzo Joyce DiDonato's Met Stars Live recital from Germany, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Matching Words with Music - Gerald Fenech listens to music for soprano and clarinet by Lori Laitman, Kalmen Opperman and Diana Rosenblum. 'The programme is delivered with panache and polished maturity ...'

CD Spotlight. A Fine Composer - Orchestral music by American composer Barbara Harbach, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... the London Philharmonic Orchestra is very fine and conductor David Angus obviously provides great insight into how this music should be performed.'

CD Spotlight. New York, New York - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by Joanne Chang's piano recital featuring music by Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin, Ernesto Lecuona and May Aufderheide. 'She is very passionate and sweet ...'

Multiple Minds - The Concert Music of Mark Arnest: A Preliminary Investigation into the eclectic American composer, by Gordon Andrew R

Ensemble. Seemingly Effortless - Lise Davidsen and James Baillieu's Met Stars Live recital from Oslo, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Classical music news. September 2020 Newsletter - 'A Quiet Logic', Classical Music Daily's September 2020 Newsletter, has just been published, along with an assortment of short news items

CD Spotlight. Highly Enjoyable - Gerald Fenech listens to film music played by Iain Sutherland and the Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra. '... brought to light with the utmost conviction.'

CD Spotlight. An Experimental Shake - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to Shakespeare settings by Brahms, Schumann, Pesetsky and Summer. '... the experiment ... should be praised for its courage and innovation ...'

CD Spotlight. Night and Day - Osmo Vänskä's recording of Mahler's Symphony No 7, recommended by Patrick Maxwell. 'The music on this impressive recording deserves much larger recognition ...'

Classical music news - Leonard Bernstein at 102 - The Knights Orchestra celebrate with a streamed production of Bernstein's opera 'Candide'

CD Spotlight. Well Worth Supporting - Geoff Pearce listens to the third symphony by Italian-born American composer John A Carollo. '... a distinct, assured musical voice which is not quite like anyone else I have heard.'

Ensemble. The Weather and The Light - Maria Nockin reports on Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna's recital for 'Met Stars Live in Concert'

Classical music news - August 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

A Quiet Logic - Chang Sun writes about the American pianist Kit Armstrong

Classical music news. Diabelli Variations - American pianist David Korevaar completes his Beethoven project and will appear in a virtual recital at Snake River Music Festival with violinist Charles Wetherbee

Classical music news. Obituary - Leon Fleisher (1928-2020)

Ensemble. A Soothing Balm on our Troubled Time - Maria Nockin connects to Renée Fleming and Robert Ainsley's Metropolitan Opera recital from the Dumbarton Oaks Museum music salon in Washington DC

CD Spotlight. Fascinatingly Exuberant and Bold - Gerald Fenech explores the music of American composer Aaron Jay Kernis. 'Giancarlo Guerrero and his Nashville Symphony are ardent advocates of the composer ...'

Classical music news. August 2020 Newsletter - 'A Fresh Vision', Classical Music Daily's August 2020 Newsletter, has just been published, along with an assortment of short news items

CD Spotlight. Impressive Dexterity - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by American composers William Dawson and Ulysses Kay. 'Arthur Fagen draws some immaculate playing from his Viennese Orchestra ...'

CD Spotlight. A Fascinating Insight - Geoff Pearce enjoys piano music by the late Paul Reale, played by John Jensen. 'The composer regarded Jensen as his ideal interpreter ...'

Classical music news. Obituary - Paul Reale (1943-2020)

Ensemble. Especially Enjoyable Hard Work - Paul Kerryson and Wyn Davies explore the work of Stephen Sondheim and 'A Little Night Music', in conversation with Michael Williams, as part of the Buxton International Festival Digital 2020 Season, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Bring Back the Blue and the Light - Maria Nockin was impressed by Jonas Kaufmann's recital with Helmut Deutsch in New York Metropolitan Opera's new 'Met Stars Live in Concert' series

CD Spotlight. A Nostalgic Novelty - Paul English's 'Girl in Green', reviewed by Ona Jarmalavičiūtė. '... feels personal and human, bringing charged emotion.'

CD Spotlight. A Powder-keg of Uncontrolled Passions - Gerald Fenech is impressed with this new recording of Korngold's 'Violanta'. '... Pinchas Steinberg's insightful reading draws some hot-blooded singing and playing.'

Classical music news - July 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Ensemble. Siena Wins a Heroic Bet - Giuseppe Pennisi attends the opening performance of the completely re-designed Chigiana International Festival and Summer Academy

Classical music news. Obituary - Ida Haendel (1928-2020)

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

Profile. Beautiful Things - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė talks to Croatian-American musician and peace activist Nenad Bach, who finds the power of music undeniable, like the power of love

Classical music news - Harold Rosenbaum - American conductor Harold Rosenbaum presents a free online group conducting lesson on 29 June 2020

Classical music news - Gabrielle Després - Nineteen-year-old Canadian-born violinist Gabrielle Després wins the thirty-fifth Irving M Klein String Competition

CD Spotlight. Baroque Minimalism and 21st Century Minds - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music for violin by Philip Glass. 'The magic of this iconic figure in American music is still aweing listeners.'

CD Spotlight. Lifting the Spirits - Reformation music, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Five hundred years of memorable music condensed into just seventy-one minutes and performed spectacularly by Jared Stellmacher and Mark Sudeith, sympathetically supported by the Chicago Gargoyle Brass and Organ Ensemble.'

Classical music news. The Prison - The first recording of Ethel Smyth's 1930 work 'The Prison' is to be released on Chandos Records

CD Spotlight. Engrossing Memories - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music by Gershwin, Copland and Bernstein. 'The Wolf Trap Opera National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, conducted by James Judd, offers very professional, but not startling, performances.'

Classical music news - June 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Classical music news. Manhattan Music Competition - Applications for the fifth Manhattan International Music Competition should be made by 30 June 2020

CD Spotlight. Incandescent - Gerald Fenech listens to the second Naxos disc of Charles-Marie Widor's organ symphonies. 'Wolfgang Rübsam provides irrepressible playing in these two early but much enterprising works.'

Classical music news. June 2020 Newsletter - 'The Art of Thinking', Classical Music Daily's June 2020 Newsletter, has just been published, along with an assortment of short news items

Profile. Connecting the Natural and Human Worlds - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė talks to the Welsh composer Hilary Tann

CD Spotlight. Very Satisfying - Music for strings by American composer Paul Reale, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. 'Paul Reale shows himself as a fine composer for string ensemble ...'

Classical music news. Obituary - John Poole (1934-2020)

CD Spotlight. Meaning and Identity - Gerald Fenech listens to Leonard Bernstein's first two symphonies. 'A wholly impressive issue, brilliantly performed and recorded ...'

Classical music news - If The Night Grows Dark - Bright Shiny Things releases soprano Camille Zamora's survey of four centuries of Spanish song

CD Spotlight. A Korngold Renaissance - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews a four CD set of music by the Austrian-born composer. 'The wholeness of this anthology is admirable.'

CD Spotlight. Undoubted Historical Importance - Paul Sarcich listens to music by Nikos Skalkottas. '... Skalkottas is no slave of Schoenberg - he has his own take on Schoenberg's methods and one could not confuse the two.'

Ensemble. Fresh and Energetic Performances - Malcolm Miller listens to Beethoven from Marios Papadopoulos and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Full of Colours and Flavour - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music from Sharon Isbin and the Pacifica Quartet. '... an original program and excellent rendering make very pleasant listening.'

Classical music news - May 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Opening Up After Quarantine - Suggestions for musicians, by Gordon Andrew R

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

CD Spotlight. The Host and the Guest - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to a celebration of Eastern and Western musical cultures. '... truly striking performances.'

CD Spotlight. Worth Investigating - Music for cello by J S Bach and Mike Block, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... my feeling was one of spontaneous joy and serenity.'

Ensemble. Terrific Energy - Mike Wheeler reviews a recording of Opera North's recent production of Kurt Weill's 'Street Scene'

CD Spotlight. Highly Effective - Gerald Fenech listens to miniatures by William Mathias. '... splendid and sweetly unaffected performances ...'

Classical music news - Klein String Competition - One of America's top string competitions goes digital

A Double Career - Giuseppe Pennisi describes his life as an economist in the world of music

CD Spotlight. Something of a Marvel - Lucas Ball listens to J S Bach, Caroline Shaw and Robert Schumann, played by Amy Yang. '... Yang's delivery can be wild and exciting and even irritable but also depressing, lonely and longing.'

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

Somewhat Delayed Reviews - Callisto, Christopher Montgomery's opera-oratorio based on Ovid's Metamorphoses, by Endre Anaru

Classical music news. Obituary - Gerard Schurmann (1924-2020)

Classical music news. Obituary - Charles Wuorinen (1938-2020)

Ensemble. A Veritable Cat's Cradle - Mike Wheeler listens to Robert and Clara Schumann, Chopin, Grieg and Cheryl Frances-Hoad, played by British pianist Tom Poster

CD Spotlight. Touching the Heart - Choral music by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'David Shuler and his choristers deliver interpretations of sheer beauty brimming with natural and musical phrasing, spot-on-intonation and a glorious tonal blend ...'

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

Ensemble. Exquisitely Beautiful - Music for percussion by Chou Wen-chung, Chinary Ung, Lei Liang, Michael Pisaro and Edgard Varèse, heard by Ron Bierman

Ensemble. Relaxed and Exuberant - Mike Wheeler listens to Cavendish Winds playing Mozart, Danzi, Debussy, Arnold, Vaughan Williams, Holst, Bozza, Ligeti and Gershwin

Classical music news. Darya Dadvar - The Iranian opera singer is to appear in Los Angeles on 8 March 2020

CD Spotlight. Interesting and Varied - New music from Apollo Chamber Players, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances are committed and enjoyable.'

CD Spotlight. An Auspicious Start - Gerald Fenech listens to the first disc in the new Naxos cycle of Widor organ symphonies. '... a fascinating series of contrasts within a framework of spectacular effects.'

Classical music news. Obituary - Peter Serkin (1947-2020)

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

CD Spotlight. Remarkable Expressiveness - Piano transcriptions by Kirchner, Reger and Brahms, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. 'Uriel Tsachor performs these ingenious pieces with a poetic brilliance that is consistently arresting ...'

CD Spotlight. Unusual and Colourful - Contemporary orchestral works and concertos by James Lentini, Rain Worthington, Jan Järvlepp, Peter Castine and Beth Mehocic, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances are committed and enjoyable.'

Ensemble. A Remarkable Partnership - Mike Wheeler listens to music for violin and piano by Mozart, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski/Gounod and Debussy/Heifetz from Emmanuel Bach and Jennifer Hughes

Ensemble. Gruesome and Engrossing - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Franco Alfano's rarely performed opera 'Risurrezione' in Florence

George Flynn on CD: An Overview - Esdras Mugatik explores the work of this American composer

Classical music news. Obituary - Barry Tuckwell (1931-2020)

CD Spotlight. High Praise - Gerald Fenech listens to film music by Gerard Schurmann. 'Notes and sound are superb. A must for film addicts.'

Ensemble. Youthful Rebellion - Mike Wheeler is impressed by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

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.'

Ensemble. From Chaos to Ecstasy - Haydn's 'The Creation' in Rome, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Classical music news. Music and Spirit: An Unconference - The deadline for applications has been extended for this event in Lexington, MA, USA

CD Spotlight. Contrast and Energy - Modern wind chamber music, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'This is an enjoyable disc with quite a diversity of styles, performed by musicians of high calibre. I think most people who listen to these works will enjoy them.'

CD Spotlight. Interesting and Entertaining - Geoff Pearce listens to music by Paul Reale. '... a fantastic disc ...'

CD Spotlight. The Harpsichord's Newest Reincarnation - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to twentieth century harpsichord concertos. 'Not many harpsichord players are as multifaceted and expressive as Jory Vinikour when interpreting modern music.'

120 Years Ago - A snapshot of the musical world at the turn of the twentieth century, by George Colerick

Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - Christmas with the Sitwell Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. The Merging of Migrating Sounds - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music by American composer Derek Bermel. '... here the merge is extremely harmonious.'

Ensemble. Trade Secrets - Mike Wheeler listens to guitarist Craig Ogden and friends

Profile. Universality of Emotion - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė talks to American composer Rain Worthington

Ensemble. Nicely Shaped - Mike Wheeler listens to Duruflé and Ola Gjeilo from Derby Choral Union and its new musical director Paul Provost

Ensemble. Special Moments - Adam J Sacks provides a Hong Kong snapshot on the classical music world

Classical music news. Obituary - Juan Orrego-Salas (1919-2019)

CD Spotlight. Sparkingly Virtuosic - Kim Cook plays music for cello and orchestra by Elgar, Schumann, Dvořák and Strauss, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'The soloist, when she enters, is authoritative, warm and very sure footed, and reveals what a remarkable artist she is.'

A Different Kind of Minimalism - A P Virag investigates Ervin Nyiregyházi's '36 Selected Works for Solo Piano'

Classical music news. The Great Composers - Five films to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, in cinemas from December 2019

Ensemble. Affectionate Complicity and Tensions - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Mozart's 'Idomeneo' in Rome

Profile. Collecting Gems - Ron Bierman talks to the American tenor Carl Tanner

Classical music news. Obituary - Chou Wen-chung (1923-2019)

Classical music news. Obituary - Raymond Leppard (1927-2019)

Piquant Ensemble. Contrasts - A cello and violin recital by Katherine Jenkinson and Ning Kam, heard by Mike Wheeler

Classical music news. Obituary - Alicia Alonso (1920-2019)

Classical music news. Martín García García - The young Spanish pianist will give a recital in New York city

CD Spotlight. Something of Rare Beauty - Twentieth century oboe sonatas by York Bowen, Petr Eben, Henri Dutilleux, Eugène Bozza, Francis Poulenc and Camille Saint-Saëns, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'What a fantastic and inspiring team Alex Klein and Phillip Bush make.'

Ensemble. Alternative Energy - San Diego Symphony's new music director Rafael Payare conducts music by Mason Bates and Gustav Mahler, heard by Ron Bierman

CD Spotlight. An Introspective Reflection - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music created by Australian composer Mark John McEncroe. '... beautiful music is currently in demand, and there are listeners for Mark John McEncroe's emotional platform.'

CD Spotlight. Impressive and Delightful - Geoff Pearce listens to Martin Setchell playing the Christchurch Town Hall Rieger organ in New Zealand. '... a wide range of organ music that I am sure will delight lovers of fine organ playing.'

Classical music news. Rich with Music and Human Kindness - The Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Hartford announces winners of the Young Professional Division (US) national competition - Alexander Pattavina, Joseph Russell and Elena Baquerizo

Classical music news. Obituary - Jessye Norman (1945-2019)

Classical music news. Mortality and Loss - Carolina Eyck releases 'Elegies for Theremin & Voice' on Butterscotch Records on 27 September 2019

Profile. An Innate Songster - On George Gershwin's birthday, George Colerick takes a critical look at the composer of 'Rhapsody in Blue'

Classical music news. Obituary - Christopher Rouse (1949-2019)

CD Spotlight. The Connection that Musical Depth Provides - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė writes about a new CD of music by Peruvian composer Jimmy López Bellido

Ensemble. Blaringly Unusual - Maria Nockin listens to Pittance Chamber Music's opening concert

Classical music news. Just Listening - John Morrison's shared listening workshop creates a sound haven which awakens compassion for ourselves and others

Ensemble. Back to the Future - Giuseppe Pennisi attends a gala evening in Rome dedicated to two experimental works

Ensemble. Orpheus in Limbo - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Offenbach's 'Orpheus in the Underworld' at the Salzburg Festival

Classical music news. The Crossing - Donald Nally's professional chamber choir is featured on the New York Philharmonic's new recording of Julia Wolfe's 'Fire in my mouth'

A Call to Action - George Colerick discusses early Romanticism, with particular reference to Schubert, the piano, Schumann and the development of the symphony orchestra

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

CD Spotlight. Considerable Appeal - Music by Peter Lieuwen, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'Peter Lieuwen appeals on many different levels, and this offering demonstrates his recognisable and accessible style.'

CD Spotlight. Very Colourful - Geoff Pearce recommends music by Manuel de Falla. '... superb performances by all concerned.'

CD Spotlight. Sound Pallette from Hong Kong - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music by members of the Hong Kong Composers' Guild

Classical music news. Plácido Domingo - The Spanish tenor has been accused of multiple sexual harrassment

Classical music news. Barlow Winners - The Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University Announces Commission Winners for 2019

CD Spotlight. Quite Unusual - Orchestral storytelling by Jon Deak, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances here are very good, the music colourful and inventive, and I can imagine that this disc may appeal more to people with children than to adult listeners.'

Classical music news. A Warm Day in Winter - Naxos has released a CD of chamber music by American composer and bassoonist Truman Harris, written for his orchestral colleagues

Ensemble. Fierce Commitment - Gillian Moore talks about her book 'The Rite of Spring. The Music of Modernity' and then Philip Moore and Hugh Watkins play Stravinsky's 'Le Sacre du printemps', preceded by John Adams' 'Hallelujah Junction', all reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Jerome Rose - In the build-up to New York's International Keyboard Institute and Festival, Richard Meszto writes about the festival's founder

CD Spotlight. Evolution of a Spirit - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė reviews the latest CD from Donald Nally and The Crossing

CD Spotlight. His Music Glows - Richard Meszto listens to works by Leonard Bernstein. 'Iain Sutherland leads the Hannover Philharmonic in these fine and well thought out performances.'

Ensemble. San Francisco's Starry Rusalka - James Sohre sends the last of three reports from San Francisco Opera

Ensemble. 'Orlando' Fights World War II In San Francisco - James Sohre describes an evening of considerable Handelian beauty

Classical music news. Voice of the Lake - Margaret Brouwer's new environmental oratorio is now available on DVD and at YouTube

Classical music news. The Month of June - A new painting by Jeromyah Jones honours American singer June E Townes, founder of 'Gospera'

Ensemble. 'Carmen' Redeemed - James Sohre reports from San Francisco

Classical music news. Obituary - Sven-David Sandström (1942-2019)

Pleasingly Eclectic - Mike Wheeler listens to James Curnow, J S Bach, Andrew Downes, Simon Lesley, Randy Newman, Lennon and McCartney, and Irving Berlin from Curzon Brass

Ensemble. 'Music Makes a Town' - Anett Fodor reports from the opening gala of the 2019 Bartók Plus Opera Festival

CD Spotlight. A Fine Start - American recordings of Elgar, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... considering today's technological excellence, this issue is strictly for collectors with a nostalgia for the past.'

CD Spotlight. The Darling of Hamburg - Gerald Fenech listens to songs by Louise Reichardt. 'Amy Pfrimmer's singing is supremely warm and refreshing, and the innocent beauty of these songs is brought out in bright, luminous textures.'

CD Spotlight. Seldom Recorded - Music for horn and piano, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... two superb musicians enjoying themselves in music which is not well-known ...'

Ensemble. From the Poignant to the Zany - Russian-born musicians Yulia Northridge and Ekaterina Shetliffe, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Sheer Musicianship - Geoff Pearce listens to music for viola, played by Matthew Lipman. '... a delight for the listener and aficionados of the viola.'

CD Spotlight. Spiritual and Emotional Depth - Piano trios from the Delphi Trio by Beethoven, Brahms and Bolcom, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'An invigorating mixture of past and present, brilliantly executed and sumptuously recorded, which is truly worth investigating.'

CD Spotlight. An Emotional Journey? - Geoff Pearce listens to music for solo instruments and orchestra. 'The performance is very tight and exciting.'

Classical music news. Christopher Gabbitas Appointment - Former King's Singers member Christopher Gabbitas is to become Phoenix Chorale's next Artistic Director

Classical music news. Obituary - Alejandro Planchart (1935-2019)

CD Spotlight. Freshness and Imagination - Rhapsodies for Piano and Orchestra by Matej Meštrović, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... lovers of music that is tuneful and that does not require deep thought will really enjoy this disc.'

Ensemble. Venus Unwrapped - Keith Bramich is impressed by Noriko Ogawa, Kenneth Woods and the strings of the English Symphony Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Great Performances - Music for oboe and cor anglais by Phil Salathé, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'This composer is technically assured, and has a unique perspective and voice.'

Book review. A Multi-art Extravaganza - Ron Bierman reads Gillian Moore's 'The Rite of Spring, the Music of Modernity'

Classical music news. Call to Action - ICSOM is supporting the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the fifth week of their strike

Classical music news. Le Poisson Magique - Resonus issues John McCabe's complete organ music on CD to mark the composer's eightieth birthday year

Classical music news. International Keyboard Institute and Festival - The application deadline for this year's New York-based event is 15 April 2019

Ensemble. Perfect for the Role - Ginger Costa-Jackson in Bizet's 'Carmen' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Ron Bierman

Classical music news. Music Mountain - The Connecticut-based concert series celebrates ninety continuous years

Profile. Convincing Performances - Ron Bierman talks to American mezzo Ginger Costa-Jackson

Profile. A Forgotten Composer in England - Richard Meszto writes about Hungarian-born Emanuel Moór

Ensemble. Engrossing and Thought-provoking - Ron Bierman reports on San Diego Opera's staging of Jake Heggie's 'Three Decembers'

CD Spotlight. Improvisatory Freedom - Gerald Fenech listens to pianist Myron Romanul. 'Romanul's playing brims with an expressive power that generates its own excitement and self-belief ...'

Profile. Heart and Empathy - Ron Bierman talks to Frederica von Stade, who is in San Diego to perform in Jake Heggie's 'Three Decembers'

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.'

Classical music news. Obituary - André Previn (1929-2019)

Classical music news. College Prep for Musicians - A new book about applying to music schools

Classical music news. February 2019 Classical Music Obituaries - A look at some of the figures who have passed away during February 2019

Classical music news. January 2019 Classical Music Obituaries - A look at some of the figures who passed away during January 2019

Ensemble. All About Collaboration - Music by Steve Reich impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Two Fine Violinists - Stephen Francis Vasta listens to music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. 'Even the Violin Concerto ends with a downward chordal scale that 'resolves' to a dissonance, "à la" Charles Ives!'

Ensemble. Pin-point Delicacy and Precision - Mike Wheeler is impressed by the Eblana String Trio

Classical music news. Three Composers - Three Continents - A new cello concerto is being written for German cellist Jan Vogler and will be performed at the 2019 Dresden Festival. 'Our world today could be just like this particular cello concerto: colourful, rich in contrast and in happy cultural coexistence.'

Profile. Prodigious appetite for repertoire - Ron Bierman talks to coloratura soprano Alisa Jordheim

CD Spotlight. Diverse and Interesting - New works for large orchestra, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'All pieces on this disc are varied and the performances are satisfying.'

Ensemble. An Endurance Test - Rossini, Monti, J S Bach, Mozart, Handel, Vaughan Williams and Dave Maslanka from the Syzygy Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Scuttling Crabs - Music for vibraphone and wind quintet, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'There is some great vibraphone and bassoon work here ...'

CD Spotlight. Sensitive and Meditative - Kamyar Mohajer's 'Pictures of the Hidden' engages Geoff Pearce. 'The performers here are superb.'

Ensemble. Collective Talent - Mike Wheeler marvels at The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

George Flynn in Chicago - Esdras Mugatik looks forward to a concert on 27 January 2019

CD Spotlight. A Deep Understanding - John McCabe's 'lost' Australian recording, commended by Geoff Pearce. 'The music is unfamiliar, but interesting, full of surprises and variety, and the fine piano playing is insightful and committed.'

CD Spotlight. Melting Ice - Music from glaciers by Matthew Burtner, recommended by Keith Bramich. '... a slightly romanticised account of the effects of climate change in the far north, which doesn't affect the pure beauty, and often sadness, of these vivid and intriguing natural sound recordings and ideas.'

Ensemble. Simply Glorious - Verdi's 'La Traviata', live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, heard by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Episodic Nature - Music by Roger Rudenstein, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... clearly committed music-making by all those involved.'

CD Spotlight. In the Loft - The Chicago music scene in 2007, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'With chamber music writing of this calibre American audiences can rest assured; their future is in more than capable hands.'

CD Spotlight. Imaginative Undertaking - Four composers' humoresques impress Gerald Fenech. 'The approach of the young yet precocious Russian pianist Daria Rabotkina reveals an acquaintance full of affection and warmth ...'

Ensemble. A 'Happy' Tragedy - Leonard Bernstein's 'Trouble in Tahiti' at Rome's Nuova Consonanza Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Intelligence and Beauty of Tone - Maria Nockin experiences Puccini's 'The Girl of the Golden West' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera

CD Spotlight. A Certain Affinity - Extraordinary violin sonatas, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Auerbach and Pierce give scintillating performances throughout ...'

Ensemble. A Memorable Evening - Shostakovich's 'Leningrad' Symphony performed by two symphony orchestras in San Diego, and conducted by Valery Gergiev, heard by Ron Bierman

Ensemble. Myriad Nuances of Color - Verdi's 'Aida' in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Tears Behind the Laughter - San Diego Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', reviewed by Ron Bierman

Profile. The Comic / Serious Mix - Ron Bierman talks to British opera director Stephen Lawless, whose 'Marriage of Figaro' is currently at San Diego Opera

Ensemble. Turning Point - Leonard Bernstein's 'West Side Story' begins Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's season, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. A Heady Immediacy - Orchestral music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold impresses Gerald Fenech. 'Rohde and his forces dish out some truly magisterial interpretations full of spirited playing and athletic grace ...'

CD Spotlight. A Very Joyous Disc - Brahms arranged by Kenneth Woods impresses Alice McVeigh. '... this is an excellent performance representing a useful, joyful and even inspired addition to the orchestral repertoire.'

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Executed - Todd Crow's Chopin Mazurkas, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'This disc contains some very fine performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Subtlety in Detail - Leslie Tung plays Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn, impressing Anett Fodor. '... a rare and unusual musical find.'

CD Spotlight. Double Meanings? - Seattle-based ensemble Torch, heard by Keith Bramich. '... the music sounds modern, jazzy, light and almost aleatoric-sounding.'

Is this the meaning of my Life? - In Leonard Bernstein's anniversary year, George Colerick tells the story of the opera 'Candide', one of the twentieth century's great musical satires

CD Spotlight. Appealing Work - Music for euphonium, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... it's the lyrical selections that reveal Frey at his finest.'

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Played - Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Cello Concerto, heard by Alice McVeigh. 'Brinton maintains a clear, sonorous and resonant sound even in the highest register, though he could perhaps have been willing to take a few more risks.'

CD Spotlight. A Strong Impression - Prokofiev's ballet 'Romeo and Juliet' impresses Gerald Fenech. '... this interpretation has passion and drama aplenty, and climaxes are handled with meticulous control.'

CD Spotlight. Truly Refreshing - Orchestral music by Harbison, Ruggles and Stucky, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'On hearing this work, you will thirst for more.'

CD Spotlight. Attractive Creations - Violin duets by Louis Spohr, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... charming yet exhilarating performances full of subtle touches of colour and textural variety ...'

CD Spotlight. An Adventurous Undertaking - Piano music by Lowell Liebermann, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... superbly performed and sumptuously annotated and recorded.'

CD Spotlight. Poetic Inspirations - Music for oboe, viola and piano, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'Here ... is a chamber music CD qualifying emphatically as "a must" for eager music lovers everywhere. It doesn't get any better.'

CD Spotlight. Practical Experiments? - Choral music by Jonathan Little, heard by Keith Bramich. '... Australian music with a difference.'

CD Spotlight. Finely Crafted - Twentieth century Polish songs, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... a fascinating journey into the evolving compositional style of Karol Szymanowski ...'

It's Never Too Late - Gloria DeVidas Kirchheimer on the advantages of age when learning the piano

CD Spotlight. Much to be Gained - Jenny Q Chai explores sound and colour, impressing Geoff Pearce. 'The pianist is assured, exciting to listen to and totally compelling.'

Ensemble. American Light Opera - Opera North enthralls the audience at the Ravenna Festival in Cole Porter's 'Kiss me Kate', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Somewhat Delayed Reviews - A Memory Thread - Edward Baxter Perry's 'Descriptive Analyses of Piano Works: For the Use of Teachers, Players, and Music Clubs', read by Endre Anaru

A Seasoned Champion of New Music - Argentinian-American pianist Mirian Conti in conversation with Andrew Schartmann

Ensemble. A Different 'Manon' - Kenneth McMillan's ballet on Massenet's music arrives in Rome, enthralling Giuseppe Pennisi

Somewhat Delayed Reviews - Charming, Beautiful and Cunning - Sentimental songs performed by Vivian Montgomery and Pamela Dellal, heard by Endre Anaru

CD Spotlight. Peace and Praise - Choral music from Queens College New York, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... beautifully performed, sumptuously recorded ...'

Ensemble. Appealing and Dramatic - Verdi's 'Luisa Miller' live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Profile. Power and Agility - Ron Bierman talks to Cuban-American soprano Elaine Alvarez

CD Spotlight. Endlessly Intriguing - Music by John William 'Blind' Boone, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'John Davis' adroit (Steinway) performances are consistently well-judged ...'

CD Spotlight. Nebulous - The Ahn Trio, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... this shallow programme lacks any lucid direction or musical focus.'

Ensemble. Rarely more than Loosely Acted - Maria Nockin reviews John Copley's production of Rossini's 'Semiramide' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, without Copley

CD Spotlight. Inscrutable Stillness - Music by Peter Garland impresses Anett Fodor. 'It was the first - but I am sure not the last - time that I had listened to Garland's music and for 34 minutes time stood still while I was listening to it.'

Ensemble. Pure Joy - Puccini's 'La bohème' in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, heard by Maria Nockin

Profile. Magical Transformation - Ron Bierman talks to the American dramatic soprano Lise Lindstrom during rehearsals for Puccini's 'Turandot' at San Diego Opera

Ensemble. A Brisk Pace - L'Elisir d'Amore, live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Traditional Settings - Puccini's 'Tosca' in high definition at New York Metropolitan Opera impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Bordering on the Casual - The American Horn Quartet, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'One can only marvel at such shared virtuosity in technique with an instrument with no escape routes; no latitude for error.'

CD Spotlight. Unerring Beauty - Praga Digitals' tribute to Victoria de los Ángeles, heard by Roderic Dunnett. 'De los Ángeles herself is, needless to say, enchanting. The purity, the innocence of the voice, as one can hear here, is simply unique to her.'

CD Spotlight. Quite Engaging - Orchestral music by Barbara Harbach, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The musical language is easy on the ear, and to me hearkens back to an earlier age of American Composers such as Aaron Copland ...'

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Sensitive - Symphonic poems by Vítezslav Novák, heard by Roderic Dunnett. 'For anyone unfamiliar with Novák's output, a disc well worth beginning with.'

CD Spotlight. Welcome Indeed - Judith Aller plays Corelli and Kreisler, highly recommended by the late Howard Smith. 'How gratifying to discover another fine, established American violinist who did not emerge from the Galamian-DeLay assembly line.'

CD Spotlight. Movingly Realized - Hindson, Corigliano and Liszt played by Lara St John, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'As the grinding sounds of industry and sweeping whoosh of turbine blades recede, St John distances her tone for the central lyrical episode ...'

CD Spotlight. Purposeful Spirit - Music by Jeremy Beck, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... I cannot help but admire an unfamiliar creative talent displaying assured composition while simultaneously avoiding atonality, minimalism, aleatory follies, electronics, musique concrète or the murky waters of crossover-ism.'

CD Spotlight. Quite Special - 'The Snow Queen' by Kenji Bunch, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... there are moments of terrifying power, and also of great tenderness.'

Ensemble. The Great American Symphony? - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Aaron Copland, as played by John Wilson and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Ensemble. A Momentous Experience - Thomas Adès' 'The Exterminating Angel' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Great Partners - Music for clarinet and piano, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. 'This great disc will bring joy to everyone who listens to it.'

CD Spotlight. No Reservations Here - The Meridian Arts Ensemble, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... an unusually broad span of inspired composition.'

Ensemble. Musical Values - Lara Downes plays Coleridge-Taylor, Chopin, Bloch, Bernstein transcriptions and Gershwin, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Colorful Delights - Mozart's 'The Magic Flute', live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Pure Gold - Maria Nockin loved Bellini's 'Norma' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera

CD Spotlight. Very Satisfying - Chamber music by Gerard Schurmann impresses Geoff Pearce. 'This fine performance is taut, accurate and driven.'

CD Spotlight. A Committed Recital - Enrique Graf plays Bach, Mendelssohn and Mussorgsky, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... bold exhilaration and striking poetry.'

CD Spotlight. Famous and Unknown - Music by Rameau, Philidor, Blavet, Guignon and Duphly, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. '... an intensity and sweetness of tone that is consistently engaging.'

CD Spotlight. Worthy of Brahms - Chamber music by Marteau and Zemlinsky, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. '... never boring, but full blooded and passionate. All the players have complex passages and are equal partners.'

CD Spotlight. Deeply Felt - New music for piano and Chinese folk instruments, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. '... quietly expansive and evocative ...'

Ensemble. What It Means To Be Human - Maria Nockin listens to orchestral music on the shores of Lake Tahoe

CD Spotlight. Brilliantly Performed - Mozart chamber music, highly recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'One cannot fault the playing on this lovely disc ...'

CD Spotlight. American Flavours - Orchestral music by Aaron Copland impresses Gerald Fenech. 'Splendidly rousing playing from the Detroiters mercurially led by Leonard Slatkin, whose dedication to Copland's creations has a sense of purpose that is unerring throughout.'

Ensemble. Sensual and Immoral - A new production of 'Carmen' stirs a mini-International Controversy, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. The Bad Boy of Music? - Orchestral music by George Antheil, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Karl-Heinz Steffens and his German troops are passionate advocates of Antheil's cause, and performances are full of engaging expressiveness and technical finesse.'

CD Spotlight. Quite Haunting - American orchestral music impresses Geoff Pearce. '... impassioned and committed performances.'

CD Spotlight. Anything and Everything - Mainstreet Brass, enjoyed by the late Howard Smith. 'An exhilirating brass ensemble in a theatrical range of moods; you really can't go wrong.'

CD Spotlight. Uniquely Peculiar - French music for brass and piano, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Careful attention to the music's slightest details means the interpretive aspect is consistently special and charismatic.'

CD Spotlight. Many Similarities - Orchestral music by George Antheil, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... the performances are committed and of high quality from all concerned, and the Chandos sound is sumptuous.'

CD Spotlight. Flair and Musicianship - Short cello works by Bohuslav Martinu, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... small storms should be taken in small doses.'

Ensemble. A Joy to Hear - Richard Strauss' 'Der Rosenkavalier', the last of this season's Live in HD broadcasts from New York Metropolitan Opera, impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. High Ambitions - Michael Landes was at the American Protégé Winners' recital on 14 May 2017 in Carnegie Hall

CD Spotlight. Unmistakably Russian - Music by Alexander Feht impressed the late Howard Smith. 'There can be few, if any, Russian songs of equal calibre fashioned in the Colorado Rockies.'

Ensemble. Authentic Performance - Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Wonderful Advocates - Hindemith's complete string quartets, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... each rendition is an endless source of pleasure, where precision and attention to detail are the consistent hallmarks of some breathtaking music-making.'

CD Spotlight. Absolutely Enthralling - Music for brass and organ, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Barbara Bruns and the Thompson Brass Ensemble give dazzling performances full of compelling virtuosity and brilliantly executed musical stunts that never fail to surprise ...'

CD Spotlight. Scrumptious Outbursts - Orchestral music by Jaromír Weinberger, enjoyed by Roderic Dunnett. '... full of rich colours from the Berlin Orchestra under Albrecht's direction ...'

Ensemble. Unexpectedly Long - Mozart's 'Idomeneo' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Extended Discourse - Banjo music by Mark Sylvester, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... finally, I found myself caught up by Sylvester's engagingly complex work.'

Ensemble. Invincible Physical Barriers - Willy Decker's production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'La traviata' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Masterly Fusion - Tchaikovsky's music for violin and orchestra impresses Gerald Fenech. 'The American violinist Jennifer Koh interprets these testing pieces with dazzling virtuosity and passionate exuberance, and the Violin Concerto in particular is one of the most exciting renditions I have heard in recent times.'

CD Spotlight. Shimmering Arrangement - A Richard Strauss first recording, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'JoAnn Falletta and her Buffalo team regale the listener with admirably detailed performances full of watchful sensitivity to the many magical melodies that are encrusted in this score.'

CD Spotlight. Celebrity Bass - Music for strings by Domenico Dragonetti, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'John Feeney reveals double bass capabilities required of a symphony orchestra's lowest strings once in a blue moon.'

Ensemble. A Fine Film - San Francisco Opera's 2008 film of Puccini's 'La bohème', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Perfectly Delightful - Margo Guryan's 'Chopsticks Variations', enthusiastically recommended by the late Howard Smith. 'Ideal for family fun/enjoyment, for all young music students and for elementary level pianists in particular.'

Ensemble. Well Thought Out - Dvorák's 'Rusalka' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed in the cinema by Maria Nockin

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.'

CD Spotlight. A Beautiful Issue - Art songs by Franz Liszt, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Benjamin Brecher's sensitive performances are full of dramatic nuances and range of colour ...'

CD Spotlight. Sumptuous Beauty - Choral music by Pierre de Manchicourt, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'David Shuler and his choristers deliver performances of outstanding clarity and precision ...'

Ensemble. Reviving Rossini's Tancredi - Margaret Darby reports from Opera Philadelphia

CD Spotlight. Totally Compelling - Schoenberg's arrangements of Mahler songs impress Geoff Pearce. '... I found this version very interesting and overall, more intimate ...'

CD Spotlight. Well-crafted Gems - Chinese and American art song, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'Juliet Petrus has a very fine voice and whose vocal timbre really sits well with these songs ...'

Ensemble. A Spectacular Show - Charles Gounod's 'Romeo and Juliet' live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Choral Opera - Verdi's 'Nabucco' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. An Absolute Delight - Svjatoslav Richter plays Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'Remind yourself that these are live recordings from 1954-60 and you will enjoy this disc.'

Ensemble. Lines of Blue Light - Kaija Saariaho's opera 'L'amour de loin', live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. A Master Orchestrator - The New York Philharmonic plays Christopher Rouse, highly recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... a fantastic whirl of sound and energy, guaranteed to make the most jaded listener sit up on the edge of the seat.'

CD Spotlight. Much of a Muchness - Choral music by Morten Lauridsen, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... the Elora Festival Singers perform securely in an unblemished recording.'

CD Spotlight. Unbridled Enthusiasm - Austro-Hungarian music for cello heard by Gerald Fenech. '... as infectious as it is fastidious to every little detail and nuance of the music.'

Ensemble. A Great Joy - Zambello's 'Aida' premieres at San Francisco Opera, by Maria Nockin

Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh has a serious message about America

Ensemble. A Fine Rendition - 'Don Giovanni' live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Thought Provoking - Maria Nockin visits the cinema for Mariusz Trelinski's updated staging of Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera

CD Spotlight. Fascinating Stuff - Thomas Coates' band music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... highly polished performances full of fun and joy ...'

CD Spotlight. Trailblazing Stuff - Orchestral music by Kevin Puts, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... compelling throughout ...'

CD Spotlight. Breathtaking Depth - Sacred music in seventeenth century Rome, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... performances of celestial beauty ...'

CD Spotlight. Winningly Done - Osmo Vänskä's Sibelius Symphonies 3, 6 and 7, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'The Seventh is a superb exercise in momentum and continuity ...'

CD Spotlight. Wildly Joyous - Lutoslawski and Brahms orchestral music grips Gerald Fenech. 'Peruvian conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya marshalls his Fort Worth forces with effortless control.'

CD Spotlight. Well Worth Exploring - Chamber music by Franz Mittler, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'Both string performers ... prove excellent advocates for this full-blooded music.'

CD Spotlight. Theatrical Genius - Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a splendid complete version ...'

CD Spotlight. A Cracker of a Disc - Contemporary music from San José, heartily recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... lovely, approachable music ...'

Ensemble. Carmen Lite-ful (Rhymes with Frightful) - James Sohre sends the last of his reports from San Francisco

Ensemble. Triumphant Janácek - 'Jenufa' in San Francisco impresses James Sohre

CD Spotlight. Life Force - Dan Redfeld's 'A Hopeful Place', heard by Keith Bramich. '... a profound, unusual and striking work ...'

Ensemble. Musically Exceptional - San Francisco's starry Don Carlo, seen by James Sohre

CD Spotlight. Consistently Vibrant - Music inspired by St Francis of Assisi, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'A heart-melting issue ...'

CD Spotlight. Many Paths - Piano music by Frederic Rzewski impresses Roderic Dunnett. '... a marvel of composition, enjoyable by anyone.'

CD Spotlight. Sparkle and Affection - American and British art songs, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a cause for constant enjoyment.'

Ensemble. Stand-out Performers - Michael Landes attends an American Protégé winners' recital

CD Spotlight. Singing Praises - Randall Thompson's Requiem, highly recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... the choral forces and direction are superb.'

Ensemble. Somewhat Heavy-handed - Donizetti's 'Roberto Devereux', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Expertly Constructed - Beth Levin plays Chopin, Eliasson and Schumann, heard by Tiara Ataii. '... brilliantly articulated ...'

Ensemble. A Fine Show - Madama Butterfly live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. A True Poet - Vadym Kholodenko plays Prokofiev, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... a majestic, lovely recording, full of colour and detail.'

Ensemble. Sensitive Expression - Puccini's 'Manon Lescaut' live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Sheer Enjoyment - Don Gillis' music for wind quintet, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... always well-crafted, easy to listen to and often fun.'

CD Spotlight. Wondrous Sensitivity - Music by Gordon Getty, heard by Roderic Dunnett. '... Getty is given the best possible advocacy on this well-recorded Pentatone disc.'

Ensemble. Supreme Artistry - Nick van Bloss plays Beethoven, and impresses Andrew Schartmann

CD Spotlight. Special Merit - Contemporary music for soprano, violin and piano impressed the late Howard Smith. '... remarkable balance, clarity and sensitivity.'

Ensemble. HOT 'Dream' in Honolulu - James Sohre reviews a Britten rarity

CD Spotlight. Rich and Colourful - Organ music by J S Bach and Pachelbel, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... Barbara Harbach gives a towering performance ...'

Ensemble. An Asian Fairytale - Puccini's 'Turandot' live in HD from New York, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. An Encyclopedic Recital - Elizabeth Moak plays Judith Lang Zaimont, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... a stature of compelling merit.'

CD Spotlight. A Huge Showcase - American soprano Patrice Michaels impresses Paul Sarcich. 'Plenty of good things here ...'

CD Spotlight. Familiar and Otherworldly - The City of Tomorrow, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... funny, playful, and full of light.'

CD Spotlight. Beautiful Moments - Arthur Gottschalk's 'Requiem for the Living', heard by Ron Bierman. '... a solid performance of both orchestra and choir.'

Ensemble. Melodic Gold - Bizet's 'The Pearlfishers' live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Under Development - Fauré songs for bass, heard by Paul Sarcich. 'Roy Howat's accompaniments are crystal-clear always ...'

CD Spotlight. Pulsating Energy - Chamber music by Joaquín Turina impresses Gerald Fenech. '... wonderfully characterized and atmospheric readings ...'

CD Spotlight. Consistently Inventive - Viola d'Amore concertos by Vivaldi, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Rachel Barton Pine gives committed performances full of virtuosic brilliance ...'

CD Spotlight. Alternative Worlds - Jewish cabaret music surprises Gerald Fenech. '... those who decide to take the plunge will be rewarded with riches aplenty.'

CD Spotlight. Utmost Precision - Music by David Kechley impressed the late Howard Smith. 'Stimulating, unpretentious, singularly different.'

CD Spotlight. Exhilarating Stuff - Piano music by Edward Loder, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Ian Hobson is a brilliant advocate of this sadly neglected repertoire ...'

CD Spotlight. Totally Cohesive - Mozart and Brahms clarinet quintets, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... a gem of a disc ...'

Ask Alice - On the fear of leaving Dallas, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Out of the Ordinary - Eighth Blackbird's 'Meanwhile', heard by the late Howard Smith. '... an ear-catching feather in Cedille's musical cap.'

CD Spotlight. Angelic Stuff - Paul Hillier conducts Arvo Pärt, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... performances of the most wondrous beauty.'

CD Spotlight. December Celebration - New American carols, heard by Keith Bramich. '... this collection of new works is interesting and different.'

CD Spotlight. Electrifying Moments - Erwin Schulhoff for violin and piano, strongly recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... this music really suits these two performers like a glove ...'

CD Spotlight. Filched Solo Repertoire - J S Bach and contemporaries on the double bass, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'These New York performers bring a welcome change ...'

Ensemble. A Painterly Production - Alban Berg's 'Lulu', live in high definition from Metropolitan Opera, impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Charming and Delightful - Overtures by Maurice Greene, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are unfussy but persuasive ...'

CD Spotlight. Reshaping the Classics - David Rubinstein plays Gustav Holst, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... impressive musicality ...'

Ensemble. Unique Enchantment - Mozart's Magic Flute at San Francisco Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Druid Priestess Conquers LA - James Sohre is impressed by Bellini's 'Norma'

CD Spotlight. Lucid and Commanding - Bartók piano music, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'American pianist Terry Eder despatches this difficult repertoire with great rhythmic vitality and expressive exuberance ...'

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.'

Ensemble. Dramatic Values - Richard Wagner's 'Tannhäuser', live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Truth and Loyalty - Verdi's 'Otello', live in HD from New York impresses Maria Nockin

Objects of Prestige - Keith Bramich dips into the musical instrument collection at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ensemble. Close to Perfection - 'Il Trovatore' live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Mood Music - Music by Pamela J Marshall, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances are professional and committed ...'

CD Spotlight. Organ transcriptions - Vocal music by Wagner and Elgar, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'Sarah Rose Taylor's voice is warm and creamy.'

Ensemble. A Bloody Good Time - James Sohre enjoyed Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd' at San Francisco Opera

Ensemble. Unjustly Neglected - Rare Verdi, well done in San Francisco, reported by James Sohre

DVD Spotlight. Strong Voices - 'Porgy and Bess' from San Francisco Opera, appreciated by Ron Bierman. '... John DeMain leads the opera orchestra in a performance that blends well with the voices ...'

CD Spotlight. Compelling Listening - Lithuanian-born pianist Vytautas Smetona impresses Geoff Pearce. 'His cantabile playing almost transports you to heaven ...'

A Higher Standard - Malcolm Miller reports from the Wigmore Hall / Kohn Foundation International Song Competition

Ensemble. Intricately Tuneful - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews John Adams' opera 'I Was looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky'

CD Spotlight. Evoking Mood - Piano music by film composers, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... Cheng is clearly at ease ...'

CD Spotlight. Virtuosic Gifts - Music by Mykola Lysenko, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... superb craftsmanship ...'

CD Spotlight. Cheesy Dialogue - Music by James M Stephenson, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... tight, edgy and quirky ...'

CD Spotlight. Worth Acquiring - Bridge Chamber Virtuosi, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'From start to finish, an exhilarating recording.'

Profile. Held with Love - Halida Dinova remembers Howard Smith (1939-2015)

CD Spotlight. Consummate Skill - Piano music by Alexandre Tansman, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... excellent performances ...'

CD Spotlight. The OK Guys - Korngold's 'The Adventures of Robin Hood', impresses the late Howard Smith. 'The Moscow players appear right at home with this rousing score ...'

Ensemble. Santa Fe's Mountain Tops - Jennifer Higdon's 'Cold Mountain' impresses James Sohre

Ensemble. Big Voices - Verdi's 'Rigoletto' from Santa Fe, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Constant Motion - Donizetti's 'La fille du régiment' at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Scintillating Overtones - Maria Nockin describes the best 'Salome' she's seen in a decade

Ensemble. Vocal Fireworks - Mozart's 'La Finta Giardiniera' from Santa Fe delights Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Highly Appealing - Chamber music by Robert Kahn impresses Gerald Fenech. '... zealous advocates of Kahn's cause ...'

CD Spotlight. Commendable - Poulenc for winds and piano, heard by Howard Smith. 'MSR's combination of Poulenc wind music is unlike any other.'

CD Spotlight. An Intruiguing View - Guitar music by Sofia Gubaidulina, heard by Keith Bramich. '... clear, poised and committed performances.'

Ensemble. A Gift Horse - Berlioz's 'Les Troyens' at San Francisco Opera brings tears to James Sohre's eyes

Ensemble. Taking Flight? - Marco Tutino's 'Two Women (La Ciociara)', reviewed by James Sohre

Ensemble. Americans in Rome - Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's Gershwin Gala, attended by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Very Worthwhile - Vocal music by Michael Murray impresses Geoff Pearce. 'I could not fault the performances, and believe that they represent Michael Murray's vocal works well.'

CD Spotlight. A Middle Course - Music by Bruce Babcock, heard by Howard Smith. '... consistently distinctive and unfailingly proficient.'

CD Spotlight. Sculptures in Sound - Haskell Small piano music, recommended by Andrew Schartmann. '... an artist at the summit of his creative powers ...'

CD Spotlight. Bewildering Delight - Valentina Lisitsa plays Philip Glass, impressing Gerald Fenech. 'A must for all Glass enthusiasts ...'

CD Spotlight. Gentle Playing - Juan Álamo's jazz for marimba, heard by Ron Bierman. '... beautiful, rich tones ...'

CD Spotlight. Quite Hypnotic - Choral music by William Averitt, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... the depth of sound is rich and satisfying, and the performances solid.'

CD Spotlight. Unremarkable? - Music by Daniel Lentz, heard by Andrew Schartmann. 'Is the obvious pastiche element part of some profound artistic statement?'

CD Spotlight. Very Satisfying - Orchestral music by Alan Hovhaness, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... an almost trance-like mysticism and beauty ...'

CD Spotlight. Contrasting Sonatas - Fauré, Schumann and Bartók from the Jade Duo, heard by Howard Smith. '... high-powered performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Limited Soundscape - Music by Beth Anderson, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances were well realized ...'

CD Spotlight. A Pleasant Surprise - Sydney Hodkinson's Keyboard Odyssey, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'Much of this thoughtful compilation ... is very enjoyable ...'

CD Spotlight. Musical Gallimaufry - Ivan Ilic plays Scriabin and American music, heard by Howard Smith. '... eight tracks of acceptable Scriabin ...'

CD Spotlight. Unabashedly Romantic - Orchestral music by Lee Actor, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Neoromantics should give this one a try.'

CD Spotlight. Infectious Pleasure - Hindemith for piano impresses Robert Anderson. '... Korevaar emerges triumphant ...'

Ensemble. A Thought Provoking Combination - Iolanta and Bluebeard in high definition from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Astutely Judged - Music for violin and piano by Xavier Montsalvatge, heard by Howard Smith. '... brilliant, clear and individualistic.'

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Managed - Music for Lent and Easter impresses Howard Smith. '... excellent musical standards and high technical achievements ...'

A Fabulous Concert - Rachel Barton Pine's solo Paganini impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Soundly Constructed - Orchestral music by Barbara Harbach, heard by Howard Smith. '... the LPO is wholly admirable in this music ...'

CD Spotlight. Appropriate Innocence - Spanish song, familiar and unfamiliar, heard by Paul Sarcich. 'High quality work all round.'

CD Spotlight. Early Genius - Orchestral works by the young Bartók, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... performances are consistently exciting ...'

CD Spotlight. Something Transcendent - Music performed by A Far Cry, heard by Howard Smith. '... evidently capable hands ...'

CD Spotlight. Very Evocative - Piano music by Nils Vigeland, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... the pianistic skills of Jenny Q Chai are quite astounding ...'

CD Spotlight. Seldom Recorded - Violin Sonatas by Copland and Zeisl, heard by Howard Smith. '... Schiff has developed as fair and sweet an approximation of her Olympian mentor as one may reasonably expect.'

CD Spotlight. Something for Everyone - Christmas favourites from Alabama, heard by Keith Bramich. '... a varied and appealing programme ...'

Ensemble. A Modern, Technically-endowed Triumph - 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg' in HD from New York on 17 December impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Real Gems - Paris Conservatoire connections for flute and piano, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... a good addition to any collection ...'

Profile. Remembering Hoffy - Alice McVeigh writes about cello teacher Robert Hofmekler

Ensemble. A Great Deal of Fun - Maria Nockin enjoys Rossini's 'Barber of Seville' in HD from New York

Profile. Training Singers - Maria Nockin talks to Dolora Zajick about finding young dramatic voices

CD Spotlight. Deeply Affecting - Jennifer Koh and Shai Wosner's Janáček, Kurtág and Bartók, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... a delightful array of sensitive performances ...'

LP Spotlight. Unusual Transparency - Orchestral music by Ottorino Respighi, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... first-class performances ... in excellent sound.'

Ensemble. A Musical Polymath - Peter Dickinson's eightieth birthday concert, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Impressionism and Symbolism - Debussy, by Eric Jensen, read by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. A Great Privilege - Mozart's Marriage of Figaro live in HD from the New York Met, experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Wildly Beautiful - Witches dressed as village ladies of the 1950s as New York Metropolitan Opera begins its HD broadcast season with Verdi's Macbeth, described by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Immediately Approachable - Music by Kevin Malone, heard by Howard Smith. '... a fantastical carnival of sound, style and social critique.'

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. Real Interest - Greg Bowers' 'Rational Passions', heard by Geoff Pearce. '... committed and skillful playing ...'

CD Spotlight. Musically Conservative - Dohnányi's Symphony No 2 and rarely heard songs, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... beautifully sung by Buffalo baritone Evan Thomas Jones ...'

CD Spotlight. An Ideal Pairing - Brahms cello sonatas, heard by Julian Jacobson. '... honourable, fluent and enjoyable playing ...'

Ensemble. Thoroughly Delightful - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe Opera and experiences all of their 2014 productions

Sharply Focused - John Scott at the organ of Derby Cathedral delights Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Euro Folk Champions - The Apollo Chamber Players, impress Howard Smith. '... this scantily adorned traditional music derives straight from the heartbeat of regions in Southern, Eastern, and Central Europe.'

CD Spotlight. A Niche of Exploration - Music by Hope Wechkin, heard by Howard Smith. '... idiosyncratic, evocative and deeply committed ...'

CD Spotlight. Considerable Substance - Contemporary music for cello, heard by Howard Smith. '... Marinescu ... appears to have the measure of each work on offer here.'

CD Spotlight. Lions and Dragons - Piano music by Schubert and Thomas Osborne, heard by Howard Smith. 'Derek Kealii Polischuk ... handles the Schubert D 935 Impromptus with considerable assurance.'

CD Spotlight. Universal Americanism? - Classical-dance fusion, heard by Howard Smith. 'Councell-Vargas performs all the pieces with flair.'

CD Spotlight. Very Searching - Peter Dickinson's 'The Judas Tree', heard by Robert Anderson. '... a notable performance ...'

CD Spotlight. Altogether Impressive - Khachaturian for violin and piano, heard by Robert Anderson. '... fine listening when interpreted as idiomatically as here.'

CD Spotlight. Acknowledged Skill - Gwendolyn Mok plays Brahms, heard by Howard Smith. '... Mok falls short of Julius Katchen's flair ...'

CD Spotlight. Divertingly Arranged - Music from China and the USA, heard by Howard Smith. '... less conclusive ...'

CD Spotlight. Extraordinarily Beautiful - Joseph Summer's Shakespeare Concerts Series, heard by Howard Smith. '... immediately expressive.'

CD Spotlight. Irrepressible Delights - Piano trios from the 1890s, heard by Howard Smith. '... compelling feeling and technical assurance ...'

CD Spotlight. Relatively Conservative - American music for flute and piano, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Amy Porter plays with feeling and clean, seemingly effortless articulation ...'

CD Spotlight. Expressive Style - Music for cello and guitar, heard by Howard Smith. '... the entire concert is alive with a myriad textual and sonic possibilities.'

CD Spotlight. Commanding Authority - Shostakovich and Schnittke string quartets, heard by Howard Smith. '... vivid sonic immediacy.'

CD Spotlight. Breath Control - Amy Porter plays J S Bach Cello Suites, heard by Howard Smith. '... fluent and uniformly pleasing.'

CD Spotlight. Clearly Inescapable - Gerard Schurmann's chamber music impresses Howard Smith. '... potent, consuming, thematically cogent and burning with zeal.'

CD Spotlight. Convincing Work - Music for soprano and percussion orchestra, heard by Paul Sarcich. 'The percussion work on this album is of a very high standard ...'

Ensemble. A Dazzling Ninety Minutes - 'The Cunning Little Vixen', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Unquestionably Recommended - Jennifer Koh and Jamie Laredo, heard by Howard Smith. 'This new performance ... undoubtedly earns a place ...'

CD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - Ian Hominick plays Clementi, heard by Andrew Schartmann. 'At times, his playing is sensitive and exact.'

Ensemble. Near Perfect - Rossini's 'La Cenerentola', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Very Practical - Hindemith music for clarinet, appreciated by Robert Anderson. 'Richard Stoltzman has every opportunity to display his outstanding technique ...'

Ensemble. Truly Exquisite - Mozart's Così fan tutte, live in high definition from New York, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Passionate Tones - La bohème in HD from The Met, appreciated by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Confidence and Assuredness - Mary Costanza plays Bach, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... wholly impressive and full of lively ideas ...'

Ensemble. Final Production? - Ron Bierman was at San Diego Opera's 'Don Quixote'

Ensemble. A Little More Human - Jack Perla's 'Jonah and the Whale', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Rich Sounds - Russian choral music, heard by Howard Smith. '... wholly satisfying and consistently worshipful.'

Mount Olympus - Andrew Schartmann listens to Evgeny Kissin

Ensemble. Overload - A long evening with the Cleveland Orchestra, described by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. A Spirited Reading - Traviata at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Particularly Well Suited - Sasha Cooke saves the day in Cleveland, by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. Guitar and Cello - Maria Nockin listens to Eliot Fisk and Yehuda Hanani

Ensemble. Lyrical Beauty - A new edition of Prince Igor, experienced live in HD by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Full Stretch - Poulenc's Organ Concerto, heard by Robert Anderson. '... marvellous vitality ...'

Ensemble. Crisp Elegance - Chamber music in Arizona, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Deep Expression - Mozart, Mendelssohn and Elgar from the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. A Beautiful Sad Fairy Tale - Rusalka, live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Angelic Sounds - Jacobean choral music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... distinctive character and colour ...'

CD Spotlight. Highly Sensitive - Brahms from Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio, recommended by Patric Standford. '... the authority and tenderness of fresh interpretations.'

CD Spotlight. An Enriching Experience - The Repast Baroque Ensemble, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... delectable performances ...'

Ensemble. Beautifully Coordinated - Candace Evans' new production of Puccini's La bohème, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Conscientious Objector - Unknown music by Benjamin Britten, heard by Gerald Fenech

Ensemble. A Bumpy Ride - Brahms from the Cleveland Orchestra, reviewed by Suzanne Torrey

CD Spotlight. A Virtuoso Challenge - Inna Faliks plays Beethoven, heard by Robert Anderson. '... most memorable music, memorably performed.'

Ensemble. Holiday Ritual - Christmas music from the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, heard by Suzanne Torrey

CD Spotlight. Temporal Stasis - Olivier Messiaen's 'Vingt Regards', heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Evan Hirsch ... brings forth the very essence of Messiaen's vision.'

Ensemble. Stylish Women - Verdi's Falstaff in high definition, live from New York, by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Haunting Images - Mahler arranged by Schoenberg, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'An unusual interpretation of "Das Lied" in excellent sound and presentation ...'

Ensemble. Always a Treat - Suzanne Torrey listens to David Fray, Marin Alsop and the Cleveland Orchestra in music by Barber, Schumann and Copland

CD Spotlight. Infinite Hues - Zina Schiff plays Sibelius, Barber and Ben-Haim, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Barber's Violin Concerto ... is easily the highlight of the disc.'

Ensemble. Film Noir - 'The Magic Flute' from Berlin's Komische Oper, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Profile. Inner Circle - Ron Bierman concludes his conversation with Nuvi Mehta

CD Spotlight. Harmonic Daring - Orchestral music by Prokofiev, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'The São Paulo Symphony respond with great sensitivity ...'

Ensemble. Canonical from our Era? - Nico Muhly's opera 'Two Boys', reviewed by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. A Conductor's Opera - Verdi's 'Falstaff' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. An Unforgettable Image - Orchestral music by Marga Richter, heard by Patric Standford. '... sure craftsmanship ...'

CD Spotlight. Wholly Persuasive - Music by Fredrick Kaufman, heard by Howard Smith. 'Gekic, Drobinsky and the three conductors do excellently ...'

CD Spotlight. Matchless Virtuosity - Mendelssohn and Schumann violin concertos, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Barton Pine's heartfelt response to both slow movements is full of tonal beauty ...'

CD Spotlight. Tonal Clothing - Slatkin conducts Rachmaninov, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Leonard Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform admirably.'

Letter to Louise Talma (Never Sent) - by Jenna Orkin

Ensemble. A Lesson to be Learned - The Cleveland Orchestra welcomes back its music director Franz Welser-Möst, by Suzanne Torrey

Profile. Story Line - Ron Bierman continues his conversation with Nuvi Mehta

Ensemble. A Great Deal of Fun - Maria Nockin takes a whiff of an early Shostakovich opera

Ensemble. A Pleasant Surprise - Fauré, Britten and Franck in Cleveland, heard by Suzanne Torrey

A Chance Encounter - Nuvi Mehta, the voice of the San Diego Symphony, talks to Ron Bierman

Ensemble. The Highest Artistic Level - Maria Nockin loved The Met's 'Eugene Onegin' streamed live in HD

CD Spotlight. An Awkward Mix - Contemporary music for strings, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Burwasser sets himself apart from the others with music that exhibits a strong sense of form and proportion ...'

CD Spotlight. Orchestral Vivacity - Music by Emma Lou Diemer, heard by Patric Standford. '... some undoubted aptitude ...'

Ensemble. Forever Ingrained - Gregory Moomjy pays tribute to New York City Opera

Ensemble. Eagerly Awaited - Opening night at Severance Hall, by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. A Good Night for Singing - Los Angeles Opera's 'Carmen', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Extremely Visual - Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele at San Francisco Opera, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Excellent Material - A look at Tobias Picker and Sandy McClatchy's fascinating new opera Dolores Claiborne, by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Mature Style - Music by Gershwin and David Nisbet Stewart, heard by Howard Smith. '... Stewart's impressive Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.'

CD Spotlight. Filigree Textures - Contemporary music for orchestra, heard by Patric Standford. 'The orchestration is neatly balanced by an expert hand ...'

CD Spotlight. A Formidable Achievement - Music by Newton D Strandberg, heard by Patric Standford. '... well worth serious acquaintance.'

Ensemble. Exhilarating Music - Verdi, Rossini, Offenbach, Mozart and Theodore Morrison at Santa Fe Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Mesmerizing Creations - Music by Anthony Piccolo, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... a well-rounded perspective on his musical style.'

Ensemble. Wild and Powerful - Joshua Bell's Tchaikovsky in San Diego impresses Ron Bierman

CD Spotlight. Prolific Output - Orchestral music by Eugene Zádor, heard by Howard Smith. 'The Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV glows in this adjunct to Tinseltown.'

CD Spotlight. Quite Splendid - American vocal and symphonic music, heard by Bill Newman. '... much enjoyment and interest ...'

CD Spotlight. Interpretative Compass - Jennifer Koh plays Bach and more, heard by Howard Smith. '... divine, finely-spun tone ...'

CD Spotlight. Black-sheep Relative - American saxophone concertos, heard by Ron Bierman. '... the two premieres are definitely worth hearing.'

CD Spotlight. Scrupulously Represented - Chamber music by Kurt Rohde, heard by Howard Smith. '... dramatic and powerfully intimate.'

CD Spotlight. Artistic Merit - Music for saxophones, heard by Bill Newman. '... daring and exploratory.'

CD Spotlight. Ebullient Temperament - Unfamiliar delights from Trio Solis, recommended by Patric Standford. '... a superb recording of very fine ensemble playing.'

Ensemble. Major Joys - Los Angeles Philharmonic's 'The Marriage of Figaro' delights Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Searing Performances - J S Bach's 'St John Passion' from Music of the Baroque conducted by Jane Glover, enjoyed by Barbara Sealock

Ensemble. A Memorable Rendition - Puccini's 'Tosca' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Gentle and Lyrical - Symphonies by James Cohn, heard by Patric Standford. '... persuasive championship of new music ...'

Ensemble. Interesting and Dramatic - Liszt's Dante Symphony and Antonio Estévez's Cantata Criolla, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Popular Success - Some harsh criticism from Gregory Moomjy on Offenbach's 'La Périchole' at New York City Opera

CD Spotlight. Somehow Different - Joshua Pierce's tribute to John Cage, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... either hypnotic or annoyingly eccentric.'

CD Spotlight. Infinite Changes - Sally Pinkas plays Fauré, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... fine interpretations of this underplayed repertoire.'

CD Spotlight. New Light - Music from eighteenth century Mexico, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'A peach of a disc ...'

Ensemble. Totally Authentic - 'The Marriage of Figaro' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Rewarding Listening - The McCormick Percussion Group, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... much to delight the ear.'

Ensemble. Theatrical Genius - Rossini's 'La Cenerentola' delights Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Thunderous Send Off - John Adams and Peter Sellars' 'The Gospel According to the Other Mary' begins a European tour, and impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Last Musician - Orchestral music by Michael Mauldin, heard by Howard Smith. '... the Moravian ensemble sounds rather congested.'

Ensemble. Fatal Obsession - Wagner's 'Flying Dutchman' at Los Angeles Opera, experienced by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Enduring Legacy - Sibelius symphonies, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an important enterprise ...'

Ensemble. Seductive Intensity - Richard Wagner's 'Parsifal' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Striking Effect - Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd', heard by Howard Smith. 'A "killer diller" on all counts.'

Ensemble. A Special Chemistry - Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. A Big Splash - Maria Nockin watches 'Rigoletto' from the Met, live in HD

CD Spotlight. Light Colour - Orchestral music by José Elizondo and David Tanner, heard by Patric Standford. '... music for enjoyment ...'

Ensemble. Monumental Effect - Three companies combine forces, experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Close Encounters - Maria Nockin listens to Yehuda Hanani, Erin Keefe and Jeffrey Swann

CD Spotlight. A Marvelous Listen - Hymn tunes played by William Neil, experienced by Gerald Fenech. '... spectacular and life enhancing ...'

CD Spotlight. Picturesque Allure - Maurice Ravel's orchestral music, heard by Howard Smith. '... gently hypnotic ...'

Ensemble. Luscious Vocal Colors - 'Tosca' at AZ Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Technically Perfect - Suzanne Torrey listens to and watches Joshua Bell

Ensemble. A Poignant Heroine - Donizetti's 'Maria Stuarda' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Unreservedly recommended! - Songs inspired by Billy Collins, heard by Howard Smith. 'The florid accompaniment with piano trio seemed wholly apt to me.'

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

Ensemble. Pure Gold - Berlioz's 'Les Troyens' live in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Communicative Aplomb - Joseph Rackers' debut recording, heard by Howard Smith. '"Eureka" moments ... are conspicuous by their absence.'

CD Spotlight. Immediate Appeal - Music for cello, piano and Korean drums, heard by Howard Smith. 'Greenberg's sonata ... deserves a recognized place in the cello and piano repertory.'

CD Spotlight. Rural Delight - Edvard Grieg's Lyric Pieces, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Rubinstein clearly relishes the range of opportunities provided ...'

Ensemble. Beautifully Reverent - Carols from Phoenix Chorale, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Big Voices - Verdi's 'Aida', live in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Informative and Exhilarating - Chamber and instrumental music from China and elsewhere, heard by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Very Impressive - Christmas music from the Brass Band of Battle Creek, recommended by Keith Bramich. '... bewitchingly subtle touches of colour ...'

CD Spotlight. Gallic Sheen - Christmas choral music from Arsys Bourgogne, heard by Keith Bramich. '... a well-recommended stocking-filler ...'

Ensemble. Most Versatile - Mozart's 'La Clemenza di Tito' live in HD, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Nothing to Say - Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker', reviewed by Suzanne Torrey

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

CD Spotlight. Yuletide Writing - The Taylor Festival Choir, heard by Howard Smith. '... irresistible verve and clarity.'

Ensemble. Expanding the Tale - Charles Gounod's 'Roméo et Juliette', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Elegant as well as Functional - Thomas Adès' 'The Tempest' live in HD, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Mother Russia - Works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, enjoyed by Suzanne Torrey

CD Spotlight. Real Confidence - Orchestral music by Meira Warshauer, heard by Patric Standford. '... too many ideas and too little development ...'

CD Spotlight. Skillful and Imaginative - Music by Arlene Sierra impresses Patric Standford. '... an impressive and valuable first volume introduction ...'

CD Spotlight. Mysterious Atmosphere - Music by Christopher Shultis, heard by Patric Standford. 'All very fascinating.'

CD Spotlight. Unexpected Passion - Music by Hampson Sisler, heard by Patric Standford. '... the brooding is there, if not the power.'

Ensemble. Passionate Acting - Maria Nockin was in the stalls for New York Metropolitan Opera's 'Otello' in HD

Ensemble. Silvery Tones - Maria Nockin was at the opening concert of Phoenix Chorale's 2012-13 season

Ensemble. Opulent Tone - Anna Netrebko in Donizetti's 'L'elisir d'amore' live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Gothic Ambience - A fine performance of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor' at Arizona Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Sensitive Understanding - Music by Kodály and Dohnányi, heard by Robert Anderson. '... the orchestra captures with apparent ease the seductive idiom of this music.'

Ensemble. Reaching Out - Mendelssohn, Mozart, Berlioz and Ravel from James Feddeck and the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. Virile and Robust - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' at Los Angeles Opera, recommended by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Delicate Touch - Frank Rosenwein plays the Strauss Oboe Concerto, enjoyed by Suzanne Torrey

Ensemble. Glorious Music - Mahler's Third Symphony opens the Cleveland Orchestra's 94th season, reviewed by Suzanne Torrey

CD Spotlight. Gloriously Provocative - Bernstein's Mass, heard by Robert Anderson. '... the scandal and much of the fun is in the "tropes".'

CD Spotlight. Extraordinary Aptitude - Music by Robert Ackerman, heard by Ron Bierman. 'This is as diverse a program as I've ever heard.'

Ensemble. A Fascinating Show - Verdi's 'I Due Foscari' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Varied Repertoire - Christine Brewer and Roger Vignoles, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... a gamut of emotions which are superbly handled ...'

CD Spotlight. Seldom Bridged - Tom Collier plays vibraphone and marimba, highly recommended by Howard Smith. '... hear classics from a new, fascinating standpoint ...'

CD Spotlight. Lush Romanticism - Chamber music by Vittorio Giannini, heard by Bill Newman. 'A welcome ... for this invaluable release.'

CD Spotlight. Commanding Appeal - Music by David Del Tredici, heard by Patric Standford. '... hugely enjoyable ...'

Ensemble. An Annual Delight - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for the summer opera season

CD Spotlight. Movingly Expressive - Music by Patricia Morehead, heard by Howard Smith. '... shifting depiction of battleground lunacy.'

Ensemble. Truly Memorable - Opera New Jersey's midsummer concert, reviewed by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Uniquely Memorable - The Kronos Quartet at the BBC Proms, heard by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. You Won't Find Better Anywhere! - 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court', recommended by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. The Stuff of Dreams - 'The Tales of Hoffmann' from The Met in HD, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Hit and Miss - Songs by American composers, heard by Howard Smith. '... likeable off-Broadway expertise.'

CD Spotlight. Striking Motifs - Eugene Alcalay plays Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Alcalay characterises this music admirably.'

CD Spotlight. Excellent Throughout - Shostakovich and Prokofiev string quartets, heard by Howard Smith. '... flawless technical address and heartfelt aim ...'

Ensemble. First Class - San Francisco Opera's film of Puccini's 'La bohème', seen by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Wildly Original - Music by Lisa Miles, heard by Howard Smith. '... intriguingly addictive.'

CD Spotlight. Much Élan - Music by Gershwin, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Eugene List is a brilliant and idiomatic keyboard soloist ...'

CD Spotlight. Melodic Best - Recent concerti for strings, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Warmly recommended.'

CD Spotlight. Do Not Be Deterred - American double concertos, recommended by Howard Smith. '... both shapely and thought-provoking.'

CD Spotlight. Precision and Nuance - Music by American composers, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Recommended for the mildly adventurous.'

CD Spotlight. Uncompromising Integrity - Music by Béla Bartók, heard by Robert Anderson. '... a joy to hear.'

CD Spotlight. Doubly Welcome - Music for violin and piano by Gerard Schurmann, recommended by Howard Smith. 'Excellent from start to finish.'

Ensemble. Blended Voices - La bohème at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Relatively Coarse - Verdi's 'La traviata' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Major Treat - Maria Nockin listens to soprano Amber Wagner

Ensemble. Wonderful Singing - Piotr Beczala's recital debut impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Simply Exquisite - Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Charming Performance - Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Euridice' at Arizona Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Abundant Variety - A song recital by Monica Harte, heard by Howard Smith. '... thoughtful finesse and subtlety ...'

Ensemble. Vocal Glory - Massenet's 'Manon' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Highly Attractive - Music by Vittorio Giannini, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... dispatched with a technical brilliance ...'

Ensemble. Extremely Close - The Grand Finals Concert of New York Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions, reviewed by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Farewell to Comedy - Donizetti's 'Don Pasquale', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Vividly Orchestrated - Orchestral music by Michael S Horwood, heard by Patric Standford. '... attractive and enjoyable ...'

Ensemble. Beautiful Discourse - Chamber music from Lydia Artymiw, Arnaud Sussman, Toby Appel and Yehuda Hanani, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Mandatory Repertoire - Beethoven's early string quartets, heard by Howard Smith. 'Unquestionably seminal performances ...'

Ensemble. Particularly Sumptuous - Verdi's 'Aida' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Comedic Flair - Britten's 'Albert Herring', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Interpretatively Distinctive - Recent music for viola and piano, recommended by Howard Smith. '... keen, committed musicianship.'

Ensemble. Heroic Treatment - Jake Heggie's new opera 'Moby-Dick' impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Deeply Reflective - Symphonies by Howard Hanson, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'The recordings are excellent on all counts ...'

CD Spotlight. Uncommonly Patronizing - A Stravinsky tale for children confuses Howard Smith. '... convoluted to say the least.'

Ensemble. Tentative Performances - Gregory Moomjy has some reservations about New York City Opera's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. Emotional Shifts - Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' at Los Angeles Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Nuanced Tone - Wagner's Götterdämmerung in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, seen and heard in Arizona by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. New Respect - Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville' at New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Gregory Moomjy

CD Spotlight. Romantic Melodies - Gaubert and Debussy for flute, heard by Ron Bierman. '... a fine, well-played collection ...'

Ensemble. Energy and Fire - 'Close Encounters with Music' from Scottsdale, heard by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - Modern music for wind instruments, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... decent production values.'

Ensemble. Wonderfully Unusual - Vivica Genaux and Europa Galante, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Joy and Sadness - A shock to the normally conservative audience at Rome's Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, reported by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. An Incendiary Outcry - Shostakovich and contemporaries, heard by Howard Smith. '... little to quibble at ...'

CD Spotlight. Great Character - German Baroque from the Hanoverian Ensemble, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... another treasure trove of wonderful music ...'

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

Ensemble. Great Success - Willian Christie's 'The Enchanted Island', reviewed by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Useful Spice - Giuseppe Pennisi discovers, via Bernstein's 'Candide', why we don't live in 'the best of all possible worlds'

CD Spotlight. Volatile Inventiveness - Music by Steven Mackey, heard by Howard Smith. '... eighth blackbird manage its musical complexities without a trace of demurring.'

CD Spotlight. Intuitive Skill - Orchestral music by Howard Hanson, recommended by Howard Smith. '... Schwarz ... is second to none.'

Ensemble. Excellent Stagecraft - Gounod's 'Faust' transmitted live in high definition from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Believable Characters - Handel's 'Rodelinda' at New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed from the HD transmission by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Most Interesting - 'Satyagraha' by Philip Glass, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Triumphant Return - Gounod's 'Faust' at New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Gregory Moomjy

CD Spotlight. Beautiful Tone - Music for flute and piano, admired by Ron Bierman. 'The romantic-flute repertoire has never sounded better.'

Ensemble. A Date with the Devil - Gounod's 'Faust' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Wagnerian Glory - 'Siegfried' from New York in HD, appreciated by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Truly American - Spirituals, hymns and folk music, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... I have nothing but praise for the whole enterprise.'

Ensemble. Romeo makes love to LA! - Barbier and Carré's version of Shakespeare, as set by Charles Gounod, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Unabashedly Melodic - Orchestral music by A Paul Johnson, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... performances that range from good to strong.'

Ensemble. Saturday Delight - 'Don Giovanni' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Immediately Appealing - Music by James Cohn, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'Conti is outstanding and in complete control throughout ...'

Ensemble. A Fine Representation - Donizetti's 'Anna Bolena' at New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Moderate Interest - Chamber music by Craig Madden Morris, heard by Howard Smith. '... Kwak is a more than capable soloist ...'

CD Spotlight. Most Electrifying - Toscanini's Verdi Requiem from Carnegie Hall, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... I find the 1951 adrenalin rush positively exhilarating.'

Ensemble. Sheer Triumph - Chicago's Music of the Baroque season opens with Beethoven and Mozart, reviewed by Barbara Sealock

Ensemble. Romance, Intrigue and Tragedy - Gaetano Donizetti's 'Anna Bolena' at New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Greg Moomjy

An Outstanding Evening - Bill Newman listens to American pianist Rorianne Schrade

Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Los Angeles Opera's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. A Wealth of Gifts - Hugo Wolf's Mörike-Lieder, heard by Robert Anderson. '... much expressive dexterity ...'

CD Spotlight. Loads of Variety - Latin music from Rachel Barton Pine, recommended by Howard Smith. '... immaculate, relaxed, resonant performances ...'

Ensemble. A fine performance - Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' at Los Angeles Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. To the Glory of God - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Sagra Musicale Umbra, celebrating old and new continents

CD Spotlight. A Sure Affinity - Jocelyn Swigger plays American piano music, and impresses Howard Smith. '... bold dissonances, conveyed with commanding assurance.'

CD Spotlight. Opulent Sonorities - Brahms violin sonatas, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Zina Schiff has the range of tone colour and subtlety of vibrato to put the music convincingly across.'

Ensemble. Severity and Comedy - Offenbach's 'Tales of Hoffmann', commended by Gregory Moomjy

CD Spotlight. A Cautionary Tale - Pulitzer Prize-winning choral and orchestral music, heard by Karen Haid. '... an important and largely successful undertaking.'

Ensemble. A Thrill to Watch - Verdi's 'Nabucco' in HD from Sicily, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Invaluable Experience - 'Ariadne auf Naxos' in New York, appreciated by Gregory Moomjy

CD Spotlight. Compositional Thought - Piano music by John Corigliano, recommended by Karen Haid. 'Oppens and Lowenthal give strong performances of this music.'

Ensemble. The Legacy of Bel Canto - Rossini's 'William Tell' at the Caramoor Festival, discussed by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Santa Fe, The City Different - Maria Nockin enjoys the summer opera fare in North America's oldest capital city

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

DVD Spotlight. Creative Ageing? - Biana Kovic's 'Virtuoso', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... there's little new here at all.'

DVD Spotlight. Doubly Effective - A classic documentary with music by Copland, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a fascinating picture of America ...'

DVD Spotlight. Imaginatively Produced - Mesut Özgen plays contemporary guitar music, enjoyed by Patric Standford. '... an impressive performer who selects a distinctive repertoire ...'

DVD Spotlight. Admirable Intentions - Gillian Rogell teaches chamber music, observed by Howard Smith. 'It's all fairly basic stuff ...'

Ensemble. The Quality of Mercy - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the 2011 Aix-en-Provence Festival and reports on four of the six operas

CD Spotlight. Uncommonly Addictive - Choral music by Eriks Esenvalds, recommmended by Howard Smith. '... exciting music of the utmost graciousness.'

CD Spotlight. Formidable Hurdles - Music by George Rochberg, heard by Howard Smith. '... an eloquent performance, effectively recorded.'

CD Spotlight. Seductive Rhythms - Reconstructed Gershwin piano music, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Alicia Zizzo ... can tackle whatever bravura demands Gershwin may make on her ...'

CD Spotlight. Compelling and Pleasurable - Arthur Friedheim plays Liszt, Chopin, Gottschalk and Henselt, heard by Patric Standford. '... a slightly improvisatory interpretation ...'

CD Spotlight. A Choral Delight - The Antioch Chamber Ensemble, heard by Patric Standford. '... most valuable.'

CD Spotlight. Especially Satisfying - Music by Lee Actor, strongly recommended by Ron Bierman. '... an outstanding release.'

CD Spotlight. Powerfully Atmospheric - Arvo Pärt's Symphony No 4, heard by Patric Standford. '... calm, simple and strong.'

Ensemble. A Complete Delight - Wagner's 'Die Walküre' at New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed in HD from Arizona by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Equal Partners - Chamber music by Barbara Harbach, enjoyed by Ron Bierman. '... more humor than can be found in the entire oeuvre of many contemporary composers.'

Ensemble. Towards a Better World - Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra are currently on a world tour. Giuseppe Pennisi listens to their concert in Rome

Ensemble. Unique Harmonies - Shostakovich's 'Moscow, Cherry Town', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Profile. Humanizing Emotions - American conductor James Conlon talks to Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Outside the Box - A recital by Gunnar Johansen, heard by Howard Smith. '... a floodtide of seismic power and romantic fervor ...'

Ensemble. Uncurbed Impulses - Bizet's 'Carmen' at San Diego Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Very Credible - Verdi's 'Il Trovatore' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Truly Beautiful - Gounod's 'Faust' at San Diego Opera delights Maria Nockin

Palpable Sincerity - Robin Daniels pays tribute to the Scottish tenor Kenneth McKellar (1927-2010)

Ensemble. Christ Re-Crucified - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the Italian première of Bohuslav Martinu's Greek Passion

CD Spotlight. A Hint of Bitters - Music by William Ferris, heard by Howard Smith. 'Well worth investigating.'

Ensemble. Extreme Sex - Set in the aftermath of a nuclear war, the first performance of Luca Francesconi's 'Quartett' is reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Rapturous Beauty - Richard Strauss's 'Capriccio', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Total Concentration - Juan Diego Flórez sings Rossini's 'Le Comte Ory', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Positively Spellbinding - Music for clarinet, piano and cello, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a fine recording ...'

CD Spotlight. Eclectic Style - A triple concerto by Graham Reynolds, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'Performances are equal to the occasion ...'

Profile. A Nurturing Environment - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo Kate Lindsey

Ensemble. Rewarding Performances - Arizona Opera's 'The Abduction from the Seraglio', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Too Clever by Half - A very British version of Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' returns to Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Unmissable Talents - An array of artists at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Golden Sounds - 'Der Rosenkavalier' in San Diego impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Somewhat Lacklustre - Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, heard by Howard Smith. '... a tumultuous, dynamic conclusion.'

Ensemble. To Suit the Voice - Gregory Moomjy takes a sneak peek at the divas and divos of tomorrow, as heard at New York Metropolitan Opera's National Council auditions

Ensemble. New Ideas - Malcolm Miller enjoys the Meitar Ensemble in concert and reports on the conference 'Art Musics of Israel'

Ensemble. A Wonderful Rendition - Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Tad More Sensual - Simon Keenlyside sings Don Giovanni with the Cleveland Orchestra, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Surprisingly Believable - Britten's 'The Turn of the Screw' impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Exciting Evening - Jonas Kaufmann's Los Angeles recital impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Riveting Characterization - Verdi's 'Otello' at Arizona Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Perfection Itself - Michail Lifits at London's Wigmore Hall delights Bill Newman

Ensemble. Vigour and Brilliance - The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra plays Adams, Bernstein, Falla and Gershwin, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Happy Melodies - Rossini's 'Il Turco in Italia' delights Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Richly Expressive - The Cleveland Orchestra begins its annual South Florida residency, by Lawrence Budmen

Protect and Survive - Mike Wheeler was at the Annual Conference of the Association of British Orchestras

Ensemble. Full of Irony - Shostakovich's 'The Nose', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. A Strange Choice - Violin concertos by Vivaldi, heard by Howard Smith. '... reliable and persuasive ...'

Emphasis on Personalities - John Adams' 'Nixon in China', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Tough Assignment - Michelle Stebleton plays music for solo horn, and Paul Sarcich is impressed. '... both musical and technical satisfaction ...'

CD Spotlight. Delicate Mastery - Orchestral music by Glazunov, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... dashingly done ...'

Ensemble. Stunning Musical Performance - Donizetti's 'Lucrezia Borgia', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Splendid Performance - Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, heard by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. A Smooth Delivery - Maria Nockin was at San Diego for Puccini's 'Turandot'

Ensemble. For King, Country and Sex - Marco Tutino's 'Senso', experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Deeply Satisfying - Elena Kuschnerova plays J S Bach, selected by Howard Smith. '... decisive and fresh as a dewfall.'

Ensemble. A New Light - Gregory Moomjy listens to Tchaikovsky from Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic

Ensemble. Opulent and Effective - Puccini's 'Turandot' in Arizona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Unmistakably French - 'Les Nuits d'Eté', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi from Rome's Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Ensemble. Unmistakably American - William Bolcom's 'A View from the Bridge', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Excellent Performance - Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic at the Movies, seen and heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Wonderful Rendition - Puccini's 'La Fanciulla del West' at the movies impresses Maria Nockin

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

New Year Blues - A roundup of recent London concerts by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Many Levels - Chamber music by Mozart and Smetana, heard by Howard Smith. '... judged to perfection ...'

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

CD Spotlight. Brave Assurance - Elmar Oliveira plays J S Bach, heard by Robert Anderson. '... full and vibrant ...'

Ensemble. Mediterranean Splendour - Dancing to Bizet's 'L'Arlésienne' and 'Carmen', by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Elegaic Melancholy - A new recording from Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble, exceeds Howard Smith's highest expectations. '... beyond criticism ...'

Ensemble. Stunning Artistry - New York Metropolitan Opera's Verdi's 'Don Carlo' transmission, seen and heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Marvelous Job - Puccini's 'La Fanciulla del West', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

DVD Spotlight. Ho hum! - Vidor Nagy plays Bach and Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... moments of splendour.'

Performances to Remember - Maria Nockin looks forward to San Diego Opera's 2011 season

CD Spotlight. A Noteworthy Introduction - Music by Stravinsky for violin and piano, heard by Howard Smith. '... refreshing naturalness ...'

CD Spotlight. Expressive Power - Vivaldi oboe concertos, heard by Robert Anderson. '... faultlessly delivered ...'

Ensemble. Vibrant Performance - Two concerts by the Symphony of the Americas, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Positively Enchanting - Phoenix Opera's 'The Magic Flute', reviewed by Maria Nockin

An Eloquent Devotee - Ronald Stevenson's writings on Grainger, read by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Consummate Virtuosity - Bryn Terfel, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Hindemith and Wagner, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Wonderful Surprise - Los Angeles Opera's 'Rigoletto', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Brilliantly Dispatched - Ian McEwan and Michael Berkeley's 'For You', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. True Ear Candy - Wagner's 'Lohengrin' at L A Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

An Interdisciplinary Field - Two contemporary music festivals in Rome, described by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Comedic Talents - Metropolitan Opera's 'Don Pasquale', live and in HD at the movies, by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Brisk and Powerful - 'Carmen' in Tucson, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Highly Promising - Brahms, Beethoven, Kreisler and Elgar from Chee-Yun, Sebrina Maria Alfonso and the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, heard by Lawrence Budmen

A Golden Treasury - Havergal Brian on European and American music, read by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Growing Up - Hans Werner Henze's 'Pollicino' thrills children and adults in Florence, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Exquisite Performance - Metropolitan Opera's live HD transmission of 'Boris Godunov', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Admirable Precision - Maria Nockin reviews Arizona Opera's 'The Pirates of Penzance'

A Rich Resource - Teresa Verde explains how Theodore Deacon makes opera come alive

CD Spotlight. High Spirits - Music by Dohnányi, heard by Howard Smith. '... the Buffalonians ... make their virtuosity seem almost effortless ...'

Ensemble. An Epic Opera - Rossini's 'William Tell', from Rome to the BBC Proms, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Artistic Magic - Seraphic Fire's Rachmaninov Vespers, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Heroes Step Up in Crisis - The Muti era lays claim to Chicago, by Barbara Sealock

Profile. Two Americans in Paris - Maria Nockin talks to Vivica Genaux and Lawrence Brownlee

Ensemble. Superb from the word 'go' - Donizetti's last Tudor Queen returns to Rome, and Carmela Remigio enchants Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Beautifully Phrased - Los Angeles Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', welcomed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Inventive Partnerships - Music by Justin Rubin, heard by Patric Standford. '... much attractive music ...'

Ensemble. A Magnificent Piece - Daniel Catán's 'Il Postino' impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Unmitigated Fun - Covent Garden at the cinema, experienced by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Considered - Music for violin and viola, heard by Howard Smith. 'Braun has a firm, bright, highly focused tone ...'

CD Spotlight. A Delightful Spirit - Balkan music for flute and guitar, heard by Howard Smith. '... a near perfect blend of timbre and balance ...'

CD Spotlight. Exciting Listening - Mykola Suk plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a mastery and range of expression ...'

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Melodious - Richard Strauss operatic scenes, heard by Maria Nockin. '... an iridescent wave of vocal color.'

CD Spotlight. Interesting Listening - Modern American orchestral music, heard by Patric Standford. '... highly imaginative elements ...'

CD Spotlight. Eclectically Balanced - An organ recital by SooHwang Choi, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... expressive beauty.'

CD Spotlight. Marvelously Incisive - Rózsa and Korngold violin concertos, recommended by Howard Smith. '... breathtaking virtuosity from soloist and orchestra alike.'

CD Spotlight. Lightness of Touch - Brahms and Strauss, heard by Patric Standford. '... a very fine performance by Joshua Pierce ...'

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

CD Spotlight. Matchless Artistry - The Wihan Quartet plays Dvorák, recommended by Howard Smith. '... the finest of bravura chamber performances.'

CD Spotlight. Uncharted Waters - Joshua Pierce plays Schubert, heard by Robert Anderson. '... sensitive pianism ...'

CD Spotlight. Quite Magical - Marin Alsop conducts Dvorák Symphonies, enjoyed by Howard Smith. 'The Baltimores' finale sings and blazes with equal compulsion ...'

CD Spotlight. Rich Timbres - Music by Robert Baksa, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'The performances express Baksa's gentle optimism beautifully.'

CD Spotlight. Ready to Oblige - Music by Beethoven?, reviewed favourably by Robert Anderson. '... the pleasure of unfamiliar music and fine performances.'

CD Spotlight. Sheer Delight - Table music by Biber, recommended by Patric Standford. '... a superb and sensitive performance ...'

Ensemble. Orchestral Firepower - Lawrence Budmen sends his final report from the 2010 Tanglewood Festival

Ensemble. Eminently Believable - Undercroft Opera's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Managed - Music for flute and guitar, heard by Howard Smith. '... reflective and purposeful ...'

Ensemble. Spirited Performances - Santa Fe Opera's 'The Magic Flute' impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Airborne Fingers - A BPSE lunchtime recital by Harvey Dagul and Isobel Beyer, praised by Malcolm Troup

Ensemble. Painfully Accurate - For Sciarrino, a modern mad scene: non-Kafka lovers, attend at your own risk, by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Truly Fascinating - A Santa Fe Opera digest, including the recent Kaye Edition of 'The Tales of Hoffmann', by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Striking Originality - Piano music by Moscheles, Mendelssohn and Schumann, heard by Robert Anderson. '...Todd Crow deserves unstinted gratitude.'

Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010

CD Spotlight. An Impressive Performance - Michael Ludwig plays music by John Corigliano, heard by Patric Standford. '... should not fail to entertain ...'

CD Spotlight. Enviable Ease - Irena Portenko plays Chopin, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... easy fluidity of touch and tone ...'

CD Spotlight. Finely Judged - Brahms and Schumann piano quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. 'This is music-making both sensitive and relaxed.'

Ensemble. A Total Delight - The Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, heard by Lawrence Budmen

Seemingly Improvisatory - Pieter Wispelwey's Bach cello suites at Tanglewood impress Lawrence Budmen

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

Profile. Finding the Right Voice - Maria Nockin talks to American composer Daniel Catán

Ensemble. Eyes Tight Shut - 'La Fanciulla del West' at the Puccini Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Family Life - A Bernstein double bill at Buxton, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Playing Rameau - Interpretations by Stephen Gutman, recommended by George Balcombe. '... not a million miles away from jazz.'

Ensemble. Opera in the Arena - Rebecca Schmid listens to Renée Fleming and the Berlin Philharmonic

CD Spotlight. Spellbinding Artistry - Jonathan Plowright plays Chopin, recommended by Howard Smith. '... positively hair-raising.'

Profile. The State of the Art - Maria Nockin talks to soprano Christine Brewer

Ensemble. A Major Success - Ricky Ian Gordon's 'Orpheus & Euridice', experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Seventh Heaven - Christine Brewer and Craig Rutenberg's recital in Los Angeles, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Neatly Balanced - A City Lit music gala, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Stimulating Fare - Eugene Alcalay plays Bartók, Dutilleux and Beethoven, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Profile. Important Skills - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo Dolora Zajick

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

Ensemble. The Real Thing - Spanish music from the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Serious Fun - Lynn Norris looks back at the life of composer, conductor and pianist Aubrey Bowman

CD Spotlight. A Shattered Mirror - Paganini caprices arranged for string quartet, heard by Howard Smith. '... technically cluttered.'

Ensemble. A Cross Section - Bill Newman comments on some recent concerts at London's Wigmore Hall

Profile. Real Meaning - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham

Ask Alice - 'The Marriage of Figaro' in Washington DC, reviewed by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Museum Culture? - Experimental music by Cage, Cowell, Feldman, Rzewski, Satie and Wolff, heard by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Highly Inventive - Music by Stephen Foster, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Hilariously Funny - Arizona Opera's 'The Barber of Seville', appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Fascinating Afternoon - Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' live from Barcelona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin in Arizona

Ensemble. An Ideal Balance - An evening with the Northern Sinfonia and friends delights Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Major Delights - 'La traviata' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Deeply Expressive - Helen Cha plays John Mackenzie, Bach, Haydn and Chopin, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Rhythmic Interplay - Music by Babbitt and Feldman, heard by Patric Standford. '... fresh and striking ...'

Ensemble. A Top-notch Formation - Operas by Zemlinsky and Puccini, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Maximum Interest - A double bill from Los Angeles Opera impresses Maria Nockin

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. Seething with Evil - Franz Schreker's 'Die Gezeichneten', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

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

CD Spotlight. A New-Age Universe - Bryan Beadle plays his own compositions, heard by Ron Bierman. '... flashes of beautiful sound ...'

Ensemble. Seldom Performed - 'Lulu' lands at La Scala, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Charm and Elan - Vladimir Ashkenazy, Ingrid Fliter and the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Consummate Skill - 'Hamlet' by Ambroise Thomas, heard by Maria Nockin

Truly Charming - John Sant'Ambrogio's 'The Day I Almost Destroyed the Boston Symphony, and Other Stories', read by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Very Welcome - The bicentennial 'Simon Boccanegra' in Parma, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

A Vision of Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8 - A poem by J Jean Mayfield

CD Spotlight. Utmost Clarity - William Appling plays Joplin and Bach, heard by Howard Smith. '... consistently four square, honest, unpretentious ...'

Ensemble. An Excellent Performance - Gounod's 'Romeo and Juliet' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Highly-Charged - Joyce Yang, Edo de Waart and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, reviewed by Rebecca Schmid

Ensemble. The Devil and the Bourgeoisie - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Arrigo Boito's 'Mefistofele'

Ensemble. Truly Memorable - A concert of arias at Arizona Opera impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Formidably Difficult - Antonín Dvorák's Piano Concerto, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... commendable, as far as it goes.'

Ensemble. Disillusioning in All its Grandeur - New York Metropolitan Opera's current production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Attila' elicits a mixed reaction from Rebecca Schmid

Ensemble. Human Nature - A staged 'Così fan tutte' at Severance Hall in Cleveland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. White Hot Intensity - Renée Fleming and the Russian National Orchestra at the Festival of the Arts Boca 2010, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Unusual and Different - Tan Dun's 'The Banquet', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ninety Stars are Born - Giuseppe Pennisi tours Austria with a young Italian symphony orchestra

Ensemble. A Fine Performance - Verdi's 'Nabucco' from San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Appealingly Straightforward - Music by Barbara Harbach, warmly recommended by Ron Bierman. '... a worthwhile introduction to a valuable contemporary composer ...'

CD Spotlight. Chicago Baroque - Trio Settecento's A German Bouquet, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... very fine performances of some rarely heard but attractive music ...'

CD Spotlight. Fresh Repertoire - Austin Moorhead's guitar recital, heard by Patric Standford. '... a programme to which it is well worth giving time.'

Ensemble. High Voltage - Sol Gabetta joins Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Dual Personality? - In the 20th anniversary year of Bernstein's death, Giuseppe Pennisi writes about Italy's homage to Lenny

Ensemble. A Hyperrealistic Setting - Robert Hugill has some reservations about Jonathan Miller's 'L'elisir d'amore'

Ensemble. Close to Perfection - Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' broadcast from New York Metropolitan Opera, by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Musical Finesse - Songs by Gregg Kallor, recommended by Howard Smith. 'Go to the top of the class.'

Ensemble. A True Dynamo - Lawrence Budmen listens to French conductor Ludovic Morlot, in concert with Jennifer Koh and the New World Symphony

Ensemble. A Bouquet of Bohèmes - Maria Nockin reviews one opera at two different venues

Ensemble. The Quality of the Cooks - Verdi comic operas on stage, tasted by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Class Of Its Own - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Cleveland Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Precocious and Talented - Music by Anna Bon di Venezia, heard by Ron Bierman. '... nuanced and cleanly articulated ...'

Ensemble. A Bombshell - Carmen at the movies, by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Meticulously Explored - Bellini's 'La Somnambula' provides a long-awaited answer to an age-old question, as experienced by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. An Amazing Cast - New York Metropolitan Opera's 'Der Rosenkavalier' in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Such Clarity - Piano music by Prokofiev, heard by Robert Anderson. '... enviable simplicity and beauty of tone.'

CD Spotlight. Hidden Byways - Ruthanne Schempf plays American piano music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... her performances are fresh and immediate ...'

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

Ensemble. High Energy Performance - A 'Salute to Vienna' concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A Tactile Rhetoric - 'Last Cicada Singing' by Christopher Roberts, contemplated by Malcolm Tattersall. '... gesture becomes music ...'

CD Spotlight. Lovely Accounts - Chamber music by Robert Schumann, heard by Howard Smith. '... the performances suffer from a worrying anemia ...'

CD Spotlight. Diverse and Interesting - Music by John A Carollo, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Only partly my cup of tea ...'

Ready for 2010 - Carolyn Ellis deals with a not so pleasant Christmas surprise

Ensemble. A Thrilling New Option - 'Il Trovatore' from Barcelona, experienced in Arizona by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Compelling Vocal Drama - Lawrence Budmen listens to Measha Brueggergosman and the New World Symphony

CD Spotlight. Beauty of Timbre - Vivica Genaux sings Vivaldi, heard by Maria Nockin. 'Genaux's diction is excellent ...'

Eleven Days without 'Aunt Mary' - Carolyn Ellis describes an unusual problem whilst travelling

Ensemble. An Impressive Showcase - Pinchas Zukerman conducts the Israel Philharmonic, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Thoughtfully Conceived - James Judd conducts Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Excellent Singing - Handel and Rossini from Los Angeles Opera impress Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Hauntingly Beautiful - Christmas music from Chicago a cappella, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... I would have liked a little more grit ...'

Ensemble. Crystalline Lightness - A Symphony of the Americas concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Sparkling Concert - Sabbath music from the Zemel Choir, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Imagination and Strength - Celebrating the Mendelssohn anniversary at Mannes College, reported by Anna L Franco

Ensemble. Lively and Spirited - A performance by Haydn Trio Eisenstadt, heard by Rebecca Schmid

Ensemble. Magnificent Performances - 'Salome' from Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Slaying 'The Dragon' - Carolyn Ellis writes about her battle with Gershwin and the metronome

Ensemble. A Sizzling Rendition - 'Carmen' from Phoenix Opera impresses Maria Nockin

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

CD Spotlight. A Robust Heart - Washington Symphonic Brass, heard by Howard Smith. '... a programme deserving of sustained applause and huge admiration.'

CD Spotlight. Thoroughly Intelligent - Schumann and Beethoven songs, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... he is undoubtedly more comfortable in his baritone register.'

CD Spotlight. Captivating Repertoire - Latin music from Quartet San Francisco, recommended by Howard Smith. '... constantly alive to dynamic nuances and lyrical subtleties ...'

CD Spotlight. A Diverse Miscellany - Rachel Barton Pine's tribute to Maud Powell, welcomed by Howard Smith. '... irresistible artistry ...'

CD Spotlight. Lyric Warmth - Jennifer Larmore sings Barber, Berlioz, Ravel and Britten, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a compelling disc ...'

Ensemble. Lyrical Athleticism - The Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra celebrate Paul Taylor's eightieth birthday, reviewed by Rebecca Schmid

Ensemble. Robust Voices - Susan Hampton visits Boston for Puccini's 'La bohème'

A dream come true - Carolyn Ellis on buying a new piano

CD Spotlight. The Gamba Problem - Music by J S Bach, heard by George Balcombe. '... a number of oddities ...'

Finding My Medium - Carolyn Ellis writes about her love affair with the piano

Ensemble. A Fine Rendition - 'Così fan tutte' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Different Rendition - Puccini's 'Tosca' on the big screen, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Incisive Performance - Lawrence Budmen reports from the New World Symphony's new season

Ensemble. Brisk Ebullience - Lawrence Budmen sends a second report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival

CD Spotlight. An Excellent Introduction - Chamber music by Steven R Gerber, heard by Patric Standford. '... impressive quality.'

CD Spotlight. Glittering Technique - Music by Gershwin for piano and orchestra, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... commendable drive and clarity.'

Ensemble. Authority and Charisma - Wagner's 'Siegfried', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Californian, Dreaming - 'The Floating Bubble' by Ron George, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... subtle long-range structures shaped with minimal scoring ...'

Ensemble. A Gala Atmosphere - Maria Nockin reports from Los Angeles Opera's opening night 'L'Elisir d'amore'

CD Spotlight. Utterly Absorbing - A sampler from Cedille Records, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... top quality standards.'

CD Spotlight. Chameleon Virtues - Barenboim conducts Gershwin, Bernstein, Ravel and Wagner, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the oddest assortment of music.'

Ensemble. Sterling Performances - Donizetti's 'Linda di Chamounix', heard by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Tonal Luxuriance - Lawrence Budmen reports from Tanglewood 2009

DVD Spotlight. Extreme Individuality - A film about Delius, seen by Paul Sarcich. '... a commendable breadth.'

CD Spotlight. Exceptional Assurance - J S Bach organ sonatas, heard by Howard Smith. '... an immensely satisfying conclusion.'

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

Ask Alice - On location, social networking and the guitar, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Very Powerful - Orchestral music by Vytautas Bacevicius, reviewed by Gordon Rumson. 'He had much to say and said it very well.'

The Philosophy of Absence - Jennifer Paull investigates four releases of Cage's Number Pieces

Highly Articulate - American dramatic soprano Christine Brewer talks to Robert Hugill

Ask Alice - On gentle Harvey Shapiro and the pressure of New York, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. A Magical Week - Maria Nockin reports from Santa Fe

Ask Alice - On orchestral horn solos and funding cuts, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Suite Brolga - Music of David Salisbury at the 2009 Australian Festival of Chamber Music, reported by Malcolm Tattersall

Marvelously Gifted - Bill Newman listens to pianist Alexander Romanovsky

Cumulative Weight - Mike Wheeler listens to Peter Williams at the organ of Derby Cathedral

Ensemble. Clarity of Texture - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra

Ensemble. Grippingly-staged - Mike Wheeler is delighted to be surprised by Donizetti's 'Lucrezia Borgia'

A Useful Survey - Thomas May's 'The John Adams Reader', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. An Immensely Successful Event - Thomas Bielinski reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2009

Ensemble. Splendidly Varied - Thomas Trotter at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Dramatic Essentials - 'Carmen' from Paris, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Another Treat - Martinu's 'Mirandolina' at Garsington Opera, by Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. Truly Enjoyable - Maria Nockin was at Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. Exceptional Gifts - Lawrence Budmen reports from the 2009 Miami International Piano Festival

CD Spotlight. Glamorous Barbarity - John Corigliano's 'Circus Maximus', heard by Ron Bierman. 'The performances could not be bettered ...'

Ensemble. Refreshing Surprises - A concert in London by the Zemel Choir, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. Extrovert Optimism - Piano music by Benjamin Lees, recommended by Patric Standford. '... a pleasant surprise ...'

CD Spotlight. A Striking Urgency - Schnittke and Ginastera from the Choir of St Ignatius Loyola, reviewed by Howard Smith. 'Not quite what one might expect.'

CD Spotlight. An Undisturbed Evenness - Choral music 'from a Russian cathedral', heard by Paul Sarcich. '... engineered to tranquillity ...'

CD Spotlight. Highly Engaging - Emma Johnson plays Bernstein, Copland and Dankworth, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... outstanding performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Sensuality and Freedom - Stokowski conducts Schubert and Dvorák, heard by Béla Hartmann. '... one is never left in any doubt as to the force of the conductor ...'

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

Ensemble. Lightness and Transparency - New World Symphony, the American orchestral academy, ends its season with an all-Tchaikovsky programme, reported by Lawrence Budmen

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

Record Box. Craftsmanship and Spirit - Symphonies by James Cohn, heard by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Unique Sonorities - Britten's Peter Grimes, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Heavenly Blend - Joshua Habermann conducts the Master Chorale of South Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Virtuoso Duo - Performances by the Elaris Duo, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... all the passion, drama and integrity one could want.'

CD Spotlight. Difficult to Classify - Performances by the Ethos Percussion Group, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... performing excellence ...'

Ensemble. Recovered Voices - Two operas in Los Angeles over the Easter weekend, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. An Invaluable Addition - Chamber music by Brian Ferneyhough, heard by Patric Standford. '... strong and committed performances ...'

Ensemble. New Colours - Leslie Anne Lewis conducts a new chamber ensemble arrangement of Bloch's Sacred Service, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. Easy Listening - Christina Linhardt's 'Voodoo Princess', reviewed by K C Devereaux. 'The only voodoo conjured here is the dread spectre of "Smooth Jazz".'

Ensemble. A Delightful Afternoon - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Chameleon Musicians

Ensemble. Expert Playing - Music for voices and brass, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Outstanding Performance - A San Diego performance of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' impresses Maria Nockin

An Unexpected Treasure - Jeanette Hanscome talks to author Helen Martens about her new book 'Felix Mendelssohn: Out of the Depths of His Heart'

Ensemble. Energy and Imagination - Beethoven from Louis Lortie, Kurt Masur and the Cleveland Orchestra, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Rollicking Action - Mozart's 'Marriage of Figaro' in Cleveland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Luxurious Textures - Sacred music from the Phoenix Chorale, heard by Maria Nockin

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

Ensemble. Truly Elegant - Arizona Opera's 'Don Giovanni', appreciated by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Portraits in Music - 'The Sucker Punch Requiem' by Lisle Ellis, enjoyed by Ron Bierman. 'Recommended ... to classical listeners interested in expanding their listening domain.'

Music Lessons - Cleo Huang describes the unusual way in which music helped her to cope with her life

Record Box. Utmost Subtlety - Seung-Un Ha plays Bach's Goldberg Variations, reviewed by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Thought-provoking - John Adams' 'Dr Atomic' in London, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Special Privilege - Massenet's 'Don Quichotte' in San Diego, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. New and Different - 'Rheingold' from Los Angeles, recommended by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Romantic Style - A lecture-concert by M Zachary Johnson and his ensemble, reviewed by Anna L Franco

Ensemble. A Rare Treat - Verdi's 'Aida' from Prescott, reviewed by Susan Hampton

Ensemble. Dignity Personified - Apollo's Fire performs 'Dido and Aeneas', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Thoroughly Enjoyable - An Arizona winter treat of Verdi's 'Aida', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Amazing Clarity - Greer Grimsley sings Scarpia in 'Tosca' from San Diego, experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Beautifully Handled - Haydn, Dvorák and Lawrie Rose from the Iuventus Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Rousing Performance - Mendelssohn, Ravel, Larsen and Tchaikovsky in South Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - Boston String Quartet's 'Xibus', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'What all this signifies is not at all clear.'

Ensemble. A Passionate Attraction - The Cleveland Orchestra in Miami, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Record Box. Full and Resonant - Violin concertos by Bohuslav Martinu, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. A Musical Gem - Donizetti's 'L'elisir d'amore', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Meltingly Beautiful - Joshua Bell joins Vladimir Ashkenazy and the New World Symphony for music by Saint-Saëns and Mahler, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Magical eloquence - The first night of Palm Beach Opera's revival of Bellini's 'Norma' provides a night to remember for Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. An Absolute Delight - Maria Nockin finds perfection in Los Angeles Opera's revival of Peter Hall's 1993 production of 'The Magic Flute'

CD Spotlight. A Healthy Revival - Choral music by Randall Thompson, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... performances and recording are exemplary throughout.'

The Pianist as Elocutionist - Gordon Rumson airs his issues on the art-form as part of a book-length study

Record Box. A Theoretician's Knowledge - Andrew Violette's Sonata for unaccompanied violin, reviewed by Howard Smith

A Stressful Collaboration - Gerard Schurmann describes his involvement with the music score for 'Lawrence of Arabia'

CD Spotlight. A Skilful Balance - The Icicle Creek Piano Trio, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... rhythmically brisk, considered performances ...'

Record Box. An Evolving Technique - Music by Aaron Jay Kernis, recommended by Ron Bierman

Record Box. Magical and Sensitive - A recording by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain inspires Patric Standford

Record Box. Superlative Playing - Music from the Glass Farm Ensemble impresses Malcolm Tattersall

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

CD Spotlight. Engagingly Heartening - Choral and orchestral music by Arthur Honegger, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... strikingly performed by Welsh forces ...'

Ensemble. Infectious Rhythms - Jim Lueers' 'Come to the Well', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Complexity of Thought - Eugene Feygelson and Malcolm Troup play Beethoven and Bloch, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Simply Too Long - Mike Wheeler sits through film scores and Christmas music

Ensemble. Grandly Romantic - Vadim Gluzman on stage with the Boca Raton Symphonia, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Record Box. Superb Performances - Ursula Oppens plays Elliott Carter, celebrated by Patric Standford

Record Box. Imperious Assurance - String Quartets by Brahms never cease to surprise Robert Anderson

Record Box. A Crowd Pleaser - Concertos and a symphony by Lee Actor, heard by Ron Bierman

Profile. Rich Musical Experiences - American conductor Joel Revzen talks to Maria Nockin

Record Box. A Rewarding Experience - Music from The Phoenix Chorale impresses Patric Standford

Ensemble. Expressive Warmth - Ruth Palmer plays the Barber Violin Concerto, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Record Box. Richness of Colour - Stokowski conducts Wagner, Enescu, Debussy and Stravinsky, enjoyed by Robert Anderson

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

Record Box. Powerful and Original - Music by Ives, orchestrated by Brant, and heard by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Inspired Vision - Mendelssohn's 'Elijah', reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Committed and Tough - Malcolm Troup plays Bloch's Piano Sonata, appreciated by Julian Jacobson

Ensemble. Lyrical Structures - Pittsburgh celebrates its 250th birthday, by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Podium Celebrity - Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra in Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A Resounding Hurrah - Corigliano sets Dylan, recommended by Howard Smith. 'Titanic, zealous stuff.'

Ensemble. Vibrant Life - Verdi's 'Rigoletto' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Quirky Humour - Uri Caine meets Sinfonia Viva, and Mike Wheeler listens

CD Spotlight. A Second Oscar? - Music by Rachel Portman, reviewed by K C Devereaux. 'Portman's score ably captures the poignancy ...'

Ensemble. Mesmerizing Propulsion - 'Cav' and 'Pag' in St Louis, reviewed by Susan Hampton

Old and New Worlds - Ioana Osoianu talks to Keith Bramich about her life in the East and West

Ensemble. Intense Leadership - Sierra, Ginastera and Rachmaninov conducted by Alasdair Neale, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Record Box. Virtuosic Turns - Solo sonatas by Benedetto Marcello, reviewed by Gerald Fenech

Ensemble. A Real Barnburner - Another report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Epic and Masterful - Beethoven performances at Tanglewood, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Passionately Breathtaking - The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Stylistic Eloquence - Italian arias and madrigals, recommended by Maria Nockin. '... performed with accuracy and grace.'

Record Box. Fundamentals of Censorship - Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony, reviewed by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. Velvety Tones - Farewell American performances by the Beaux Arts Trio and an Amernet String Quartet recital, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Scrupulously Done - Andrew Barnett's 'Sibelius', read by Robert Anderson

Record Box. An Animated Performance - Music for orchestra by Steven R Gerber, heard by Patric Standford

Record Box. Sympathetic Readings - Orchestral music by Barbara Harbach, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Joyous Tintinnabulation - The Play of Daniel intrigues and delights Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Eminently Agreeable - Piano music by Ahmet Adnan Saygun, recommended by Howard Smith. '... unfailing rhythmic clarity and beautifully controlled dynamics ...'

Ensemble. Vocal Radiance - Maria Nockin reports on the beginning of a new season at Los Angeles Opera

Evocative Canvases - A recital by Miriam Brickman, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Punchy and Informative - John Bell Young's survey of the Beethoven symphonies, read by Gerald Fenech

Beauty and Inspiration - Jennifer Paull pays tribute to Matthew Peaceman (1956-2008)

Record Box. Orchestrated Boldly - Music by Hampson Sisler, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Great Entertainment - Stokowski conducts ballet music, heard by Patric Standford

Book Review. A Lordly Survey - Nick Strimple's 'Choral Music in the Nineteenth Century', reviewed by Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Protean Methuselah - Music by Henry Brant, investigated by Malcolm Tattersall. 'Most of us like to put composers in pigeon-holes but Brant is too big for that.'

Composer Profiles - David Gompper, by Carson P Cooman

Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for operas by Verdi, Mozart, Britten and Handel, plus the first American performance of Kaija Saariaho's 'Adriana Mater'

CD Spotlight. Stylish and Pointed - Stokowski conducts Bizet and Debussy, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a rhythmic élan and masterly sense of line ...'

Ensemble. Any Questions? - Bernstein's 'Candide' at English National Opera, enjoyed by David Wilkins

Lust in A Major - Marsha Cappy's tale takes place in Prague in 1905 ...

CD Spotlight. Musical Quintessence - Orchestral music by Leroy Anderson, reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... immediately appealing melodies ...'

CD Spotlight. Intimate Mode - Quartets by Evans, Glass, Antheil and Herrmann, recommended by Howard Smith. '... wholly engaging ...'

Record Box. Unmissable - Marin Alsop conducts Dvorák, recommended by Gerald Fenech

Meticulous Research - 'The Pearl' by Douglas Smith, reviewed by Robert Anderson

Record Box. Curious and Evocative - Quarter-tone keyboard music played by Joshua Pierce, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Highly Contrasting - Microtonal music, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Roadworthy - Modern American music for violin and piano, recommended by Howard Smith. '... commanding fire and finesse ...'

Museum not Morgue - 'Opera and the Morbidity of Music', read by Robert Anderson

Ensemble. No Excuses Necessary - Robert Hugill enjoys Puccini's 'La Fanciulla del West' at Grange Park Opera

Ensemble. A Charming Rendition - Puccini's 'La Rondine', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Eclectic Mix - Lawrence Budmen visits the 2008 Sarasota Music Festival

Ensemble. Dramatically Exciting - Puccini's 'Tosca' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Truly Special - Kelly Ferjutz enjoys Dvorák's 'Rusalka'

Hall of Fame - Kelly Ferjutz reports on the induction of the Cleveland Orchestra

Ensemble. An Exotic Atmosphere - Bizet's 'The Pearl Fishers' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Musical Enjoyment - Works by Respighi, recommended by Howard Smith. '... impressively alive to each facet of Respighi's aural colourations ...'

CD Spotlight. Heavy Artillery - Music by Bloch, Engel, Honegger, Milhaud and Szymanowski, heard by Howard Smith. '... an acceptable though rather dated style.'

Ensemble. New Thinking - Maria Nockin experiences an updated version of Verdi's 'La Traviata'

Ensemble. A Fitting Celebration - Plácido Domingo's Fortieth Anniversary Gala, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Doomed Love - Verdi's 'Aida' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Unsettling - Microtonal music by Monroe Golden, reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... the overall effect is somehow stranger than the parts ...'

Movements - Not quite a review - but ... with Kelly Ferjutz

Nota Bene - K C Devereaux tells the story of the second best piano student in the class

Ensemble. A Trip to Heaven - 'Cavalleria Rusticana' and 'I Pagliacci' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Assurance and Experience - Music from Tony Gould and David Ward-Steinman, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... two players who specialise in shades of touch ...'

Musically Thrilling - 'Maria Stuarda' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Postlude - Jennifer Paull writes on the 25th Anniversary of the death of Cathy Berberian

Ensemble. An Unusual Production - Verdi's 'Otello' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Of Purest Heart - An unusual double bill at LA Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Highly Readable - Paul Jackson's third book about the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts, reviewed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Exuberant Work - Music for violin and piano by Ma Sicong, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... thoroughly enjoyable ...'

Ensemble. Radiant Loveliness - 'Tristan and Isolde' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Record Box. Fine Recordings - Orchestral music by Julius Burger, reviewed by Patric Standford

Medieval Legends - Richard Wagner's 'Tannhäuser' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

An Authentic Voice - Laura Kennelly visits Cleveland Ohio's latest opera company

CD Spotlight. Impressive Authority - Piano music by Phillip Ramey, reviewed by Anthony Davie. '... totally sympathetic with Ramey's style.'

A Cornucopia - Maria Nockin introduces San Diego Opera's new season

DVD Spotlight. Mozart and Smetana - The Nobilis Trio at Steinway Hall, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... musically pleasurable.'

Record Box. Beautifully Played - Music by Igor Raykhelson, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. A Superb Performance - Music by Schubert and his circle, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Irish Rambles - Music by Turlough O'Carolan, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall

Ensemble. An Auspicious Beginning - The first performance of a brand new opera company, marked by Maria Nockin

Record Box. Apparent Enlightenment - Jeffrey Fisher's 'Fairy Tales' disappoints Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Tumbling - David Leisner's 'Acrobats', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... as authoritative as one could wish.'

Original and Brilliant - Trevor Barrett considers Dvorák's 'New World Symphony' as the most important symphonic work in American history

Record Box. Family and Friends - Sara Botkin's Christmas collection, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Distinctive and Attractive - 'Snowcarols' and other Christmas music by William Ferris, admired by Patric Standford

Record Box. Excellent Singing - A Christmas selection from Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, enjoyed by Patric Standford

Artful Phrasing - 'La bohème' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Viennese Pastry - Franz Lehár's 'The Merry Widow', reviewed by Susan Hampton

Ensemble. Simply Glorious - Los Angeles Opera revives 'Don Giovanni', by Maria Nockin

Jacques Barzun at 100 - Music and beyond, investigated by Gordon Rumson

Editor's Inbox - Another selection of readers' letters

Record Box. Slow and Indulgent - Marin Alsop conducts Brahms, reviewed by Patric Standford

An Inspiring Read - Anthony Davie reads Victor Lederer's book 'Chopin: A Listener's Guide to the Master of the Piano'

Ensemble. A Memorable Concert - Chloë Hanslip, Slatkin and the RPO, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

A Pianistic Firecracker - A lunchtime recital by Tali Morgulis, enjoyed by Malcolm Troup

CD Spotlight. Plausible Interest - Chamber music by Kerry Turner, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... accessible, neatly made, technically challenging ...'

Ensemble. A Full-Blooded Rendition - 'La Traviata' from Southern California, reviewed by Susan Hampton

CD Spotlight. Enjoyable Colours - Russian music from Stokowski, reviewed by Patric Standford. 'The recordings do not show half a century of wear ...'

Ensemble. Dramatically Riveting - Maria Nockin at Arizona Opera's 'Lucia di Lammermoor'

CD Spotlight. Temporal Constraints - Kyle Gann's 'Long Night', reviewed by Gordon Rumson. '... music that makes us think.'

Warmth and Vigour - Mike Wheeler listens to a recital by the Adelfi Duo

Ensemble. Stunning Precision - Janácek's 'Jenufa' in LA, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Positively Inspirational - Jennifer Koh plays Schumann, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... superbly accomplished performances ...'

Ensemble. Refreshingly Inventive - Julian Bliss, Nicholas Kok and Sinfonia Viva in Nottingham, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Intriguing - Sheila Silver's 'The Thief of Love', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... music of great beauty.'

CD Spotlight. A Colorful Collection - Music for guitar played by David Isaacs, reviewed by Anna L Franco. '... expressive performance ...'

CD Spotlight. Unrivalled - János Starker plays Bartók, Boccherini, Kodály, Mozart and Leo Weiner, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... instrumental artistry at its finest.'

Ensemble. A Blockbuster Weekend - Beethoven's 'Fidelio' and Verdi's 'Requiem' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Important to Dream - Unusual performances of 'The Tales of Hoffmann', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Record Box. Extremely Prolific - Music by Carson Cooman, reviewed by Patric Standford

Enthusiastically Recommended - Howard Smith reads an 'owner's manual' of Sibelius orchestral works

Ensemble. Much to Contemplate - New ideas at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Record Box. Enjoyable Artistry - Stanley Wilson sings Cole Porter, reviewed by Anna L Franco

CD Spotlight. Surprisingly Novel - Flute sonatas by the eight-year-old Mozart, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... superb advocacy ...'

Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Two productions at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

A Milestone in Dance - Lawrence Budmen's second report from The Berkshires

Ensemble. An Intellectual Oasis - Lawrence Budmen returns to Tanglewood to hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Talented and Promising - Music by Carson P Cooman, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... striking felicities of orchestral expression ...'

Record Box. A Driving Force - Music commissioned and played by Richard Nunemaker, reviewed by Patric Standford

Extremely Detailed - Daniel Felsenfeld's 'Tchaikovsky - A Listener's Guide', reviewed by Anna L Franco

DVD Spotlight. Dynamism and Subtlety - 'Simon Boccanegra' from the Vienna State Opera impresses Robert Anderson. 'The Work is in the safest possible hands ...'

Record Box. Dissonance-Free - John Rutter's 'Mass of the Children', reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Singing Qualities - Jennifer Koh plays Szymanowski, Martinu and Bartók, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Lovebirds - Music for two flutes and piano, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'Recommended, especially for Schickele and the "Dances" of Schocker.'

Ensemble. 'Daphne' in the Desert - Karen Haid was in Santa Fe for the Richard Strauss one-act opera

Ensemble. Conservative or Progressive? - Malcolm Miller attends the historic modern revival of Striggio's sixty-part Mass

DVD Spotlight. A Wonderful Introduction - The work of Harry Partch, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... the musical language is direct and approachable.'

Ensemble. Infectious Melodies - Torroba's zarzuela 'Luisa Fernanda' at Los Angeles Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Beautifully Arranged - 'Antal Doráti and the joy of making music' by Richard Chlupaty, reviewed by Anna L Franco

Ensemble. Two Worlds Bridged - The first performance of Heiner Goebbels' 'Songs of Wars I have Seen', reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Convincing and Moving - John Adams' 'Doctor Atomic' receives its first European performance, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Temperament and Imagination - Alberto Portugheis enjoys a recital by the Romanian-American pianist Eugene Alcalay

Ensemble. Fascinating Programming - A report from the Sarasota Music Festival 2007, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Absorption of Influences - A revival of Bloch's early C sharp minor symphony, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

The End of an Adventure - Kelly Ferjutz marks the end of an era in American classical music radio

CD Spotlight. Lifting the Spirits - A benefit concert for the Kitezh Children's Community, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Berkofsky tailors the accompaniments with demonstrable taste and empathy.'

Record Box. Unexceptionable - Malcolm Tattersall reviews music from Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina

Ask Alice - John Attanas' recent book about Yo-Yo Ma, reviewed by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. A Degree of Truth - A spring remembrance concert for the Armenian victims of 1915, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Smiles on Faces - 'The Merry Widow' from Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Pure Magic - 'Der Rosenkavalier' by Richard Strauss, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

The Meaning of Friendship? - Kelly Ferjutz tells the story of Richard Waugh and his friend Charles Barr

Ensemble. Stunning Performance - Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Anne-Marie McDermott in New York, enjoyed by Anna L Franco

Limitless Combinatorics - Eric Pettine postulates 'No Shortage of Melodies Anytime Soon', and offers some real hope for cynical musicians who think they've heard it all

Ensemble. A Joyous Celebration - Music by M Zachary Johnson, reviewed by Anna L Franco

Ensemble. A Magnetic Presence - Mozart's 'Figaro' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Record Box. Beautiful Tone - J S Bach for guitar, reviewed by Anna L Franco

No Stone Left Unturned - A book about the business of conducting, explored by Paul Sarcich

Ensemble. Taut Austere Passion - Music with a Britten and Auden connection, performed by John Lofthouse and Stephen Rose, and reviewed by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. A Neat Idea - Edmund Battersby plays Beethoven on piano and fortepiano, reviewed by Mike Wheeler. '... it's fascinating to hear the two side-by-side ...'

A Real Treasure House - Dialogues with and about John Cage, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Worldly Forces - Alban Berg's 'Wozzeck' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Featuring the Flute - A recital by Jeanne Baxtresser, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... lovely but relatively rarely heard pieces.'

Record Box. Well Produced - The structured improvisations of Alexandra Gardner, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Purity of Style - Malcolm Miller enjoys a Piano Circus event in north-west London

The Wandering Traveller - Kelly Ferjutz delves further into Richard Wagner and the forthcoming symposium in Ohio

CD Spotlight. Expert Orchestration - Music by Lee Actor, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'Strongly recommended.'

Record Box. Gentle and Meditative - Music by Peter Dickinson, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Delayed Reaction - Sondheim's 'Merrily we roll along', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Always a Thrill - Los Angeles Opera's production of Wagner's 'Tannhäuser', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. An Imaginative Production - 'Il Trovatore' in San Diego, reviewed by Maria Nockin

An Admirable Book - Alan Riding and Leslie Dunton-Downer's companion to opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Why Canton? - On the creation of an international Wagner symposium, by Kelly Ferjutz

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Benjamin Lees about his Piano Concerto No 3

Hide and Seek - Finding Mozart in his image, by Thomas Larson

Ensemble. Distant Sound - LA Opera's 'Recovered Voices', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Contemplating Harmony - Music by Warren Burt, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... almost hypnotically attractive ...'

Ensemble. Robust and Vigorous - Saint-Saëns' 'Samson and Delilah', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Lustrous Sounds - Kurt Weill's 'The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Colourful - Symphonies by Adolphus Hailstork, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... right on the ball, clean and clear ...'

DVD Spotlight. Political Controversy - The making of an American opera, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a searching work that spares no punches ...'

Ensemble. Dramatic Veracity - Puccini's 'Turandot' from St Louis, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Musical Paradise - The Artemis Quartet shines at Urbana's Krannert Center, reviewed by Sonja Stojanovic

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

Deadly Wit - Michael Levin's 'Settling the Score', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

A Comprehensive Overview - David Hurwitz on Dvorák, recommended by Ron Bierman

CD Spotlight. An Interesting Mix - Sacred treasures, enjoyed by Robert Hugill. '... certainly intoxicating.'

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Meira Warshauer about her new Symphony, 'Living, Breathing Earth'

Ensemble. Opera at the Movies - Maria Nockin experiences Tan Dun's 'The First Emperor'

Ensemble. Especially Dramatic - Premières by Sheriff and McCabe, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Imbued with Quality - David L Nelson on Vienna, recommended by Howard Smith

CD Spotlight. Olde Worlde updated ? - Music by Paul Schwartz, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... consistently pleasing, somewhat innocuous, easy sounds ...'

Record Box. Highly Accomplished - Paul Neebe plays American trumpet concertos, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. An Enjoyable Exposition - Music by Teresa LeVelle, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record Box. Vibrant Presentation - A worthy memorial to William Ferris, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Perceptive Musicianship - Oboe concertos played by Andrea Gullickson, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... highly recommended ...'

Ensemble. A Sense of Evolution - Malcolm Miller at an evening of music and drama celebrating 350 years of Jews in Britain

Beethoven's Ninth Solstice - A poem by Debra A Hoffmann

CD Spotlight. Confronting Energy - Music played by the Meridian Arts Ensemble, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... the Kronos Quartet of brass ensembles?'

Ensemble. A Very Unusual Evening - Monteverdi's 'L'incoronazione di Poppea', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Focus on Loneliness - Music by Lera Auerbach and Shostakovich, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... unfailing virtuosity.'

Ensemble. Music in the Spacing of the Spheres - A spectacular version of Holst's 'The Planets' in Cleveland, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Life-affirming - Steven Schick's 'The Percussionist's Art', reviewed by Paul Sarcich

Ensemble. Fizzing Performances - The Derby Concert Orchestra and Chorale in Christmas mood, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Squeals of Delight - LA Opera's 'Hansel and Gretel', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Incisive Musicianship - 'The Marriage of Figaro' in Arizona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Compelling Readings - Bartók's String Quartets in Ottawa, enjoyed by Bert Bailey

Ensemble. Power and Effervescence - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', reviewed by Maria Nockin

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

Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Puccini's 'La bohème' in New Hampshire, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Spirited Playing - Piano music from Cuba, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... undoubted technical command ...'

Ensemble. A Special Performance - Beethoven and Brahms from Pittsburgh, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. A Lively Pace - Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Unfamiliar Territory - Mike Hall plays baroque music on alto trombone, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... a voyage of discovery ...'

Oh, Those Verdi Choruses! - by Teresa Verde

Ensemble. Lively Pacing - Verdi's 'Macbeth' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Individuality and Variety - Groove-oriented chamber music by Gernot Wolfgang, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... highly professional performances ...'

Ensemble. A Great Credit - Massenet's 'Manon' at LA Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Record Box. A Fascinating Programme - Joseph Gramley plays music for percussion, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. A Curious Recital - Paul Calistus-Ashley plays Poulenc, Schubert and Dett, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... verve and sensitivity.'

Ensemble. A Sumptuous Display - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at LA Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ask Alice - On straining the vocal cords, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Strong Narrative Flow - A new book about Monteverdi's musical dramas, reviewed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Clara's Karma? - 150 years' postponement in publication of Clara Schumann's piano sonata, investigated by Jennifer Paull. '... Karen Kushner brings welcomed light ...'

Ensemble. A Sizzling Account - 'The Tempest' by Thomas Adès, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ask Alice - On Steven Isserlis, Agnes Poirier and surrender monkeys, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Varied Influences - Music from Indiana University Southeast, enjoyed by Patric Standford. '... a superb addition to any collection.'

Ensemble. Dramatic Punch - Richard Strauss's 'Salomé', reviewed by Maria Nockin

A Personal Stake - '150 Years of Opera in Chicago', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall

CD Spotlight. Shining Through - Saxophone music by M Zachary Johnson, reviewed by Anna Franco. 'The performers show their total dedication ...'

Ensemble. A Light Touch - Mozart's 'The Magic Flute', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Tanglewood and Beyond - The sounds of summer in the Berkshires, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. An Oft Told Tale - Santa Fe Opera's 'Cendrillon', praised by Maria Nockin

Record box. Satisfying Breadth - Chamber music by Hummel, appreciated by Patric Standford

Record Box. Lions and Lionesses - Romantic music for piano and orchestra, reviewed by George Balcombe

Apropos 'le deluge' - A book about Shostakovich, reviewed by George Balcombe

Ensemble. Somewhat Controversial - 'Carmen' in Santa Fe, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Record Box. Hypnotically Repetitious - Chamber music by Chris Lastovicka, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. In Nimble Fashion - Ohio Light Opera's 'The Queen's Lace Handkerchief', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Superbly Measured - Music by Haskell Small and Mussorgsky, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... indisputably fine pianism ...'

Record Box. Enterprising Recordings - Music for piano and orchestra, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Universal Truth - Two productions from Ohio Light Opera, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Profound Commitment - Jenny Lin recovers buried historical treasure, appreciated by Gordon Rumson

Record Box. Pleasant Sounds - Music by Karen Amrhein, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. A Personal Style - Beth Anderson's 'Quilt Music', reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... true, effective simplicity ...'

CD Spotlight. Valuable Explorations - 'My Dear Siegfried' - Despatches from No Man's Land, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. 'The work has as much affinity with trance/techno as with the modernist art music from which it developed.'

Just Too Funny - A backstage view of the orchestra, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

A Terrific Introduction - A guide to Mozart's instrumental music, recommended by Ron Bierman

Ensemble. Running the Gauntlet - Malcolm Troup, one of the judges of the 30th anniversary 'Gina Bachauer' International Artists Competition, reports on the recent finals in Salt Lake City

Book review: Eloquent Insights - A listeners' guide to the music of Haydn, reviewed by Anna Franco

Ensemble. In Memory - Kelly Ferjutz remembers Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's visit to Cleveland

High Jinx and Haute Couture - On the anniversary of Cathy Berberian's birth, Jennifer Paull investigates the legendary musician's extraordinary talents in humouristic performance, and her equally astounding wardrobe

Ensemble. A Mythic Story - 'Nixon in China', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Record box. Grandeur and Impulsiveness - Joshua Pierce's recording of Brahms' second piano concerto, reviewed by Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Enchanting as Ever - Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Textures which suit - Music for flute, clarinet and piano, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... unusual, enjoyable ...'

Ensemble. Vocally and Visually Spectacular - Maria Nockin at the première of Goldenthal's opera 'Grendel, Transcendence of the Great Big Bad'

Ensemble. Important Revelations - A gala concert presented by Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Joyous and Well-paced - A semi-staged Verdi's 'Falstaff' in Cleveland, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Engulfing Vision - A concert at New York City's Hunter College, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Energy and Commitment - A concert by Liza Grossman and Cleveland's Contemporary Youth Orchestra, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Full of Life - Compositions by M Zachary Johnson premièred at Steinway Hall, reviewed by Anna Franco

Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Maria Nockin was at San Diego Opera's 'The Magic Flute'

CD Spotlight. Truly Impressive - Sara Botkin's one-woman vocal disc, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... in a natural acoustic ... the results would have been ravishing.'

Ensemble. Magnificent Wagner - Lorin Maazel's orchestral transcription of 'The Ring', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Emotionally devastating - Stephen Sondheim's 'Into the Woods' impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Must See - Maria Nockin was at Opera Pacific for Verdi's 'Aïda'

Precise and Lucid - M Owen Lee's book 'The Great Instrumental Works', enthusiastically recommended by Howard Smith

DVD Spotlight. Moving and Powerful - Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess', appreciated by Robert Anderson. 'The work is in the safest possible hands ...'

Superb Writing - Kelly Ferjutz enjoys the tale of Luciano Pavarotti's rise to fame

CD Spotlight. Widely Divergent Composers - Music for violin and piano, reviewed by George Balcombe. '... clear and consistent ...'

Ensemble. Praiseworthy Style - Maria Nockin was at San Diego Opera for Handel's 'Julius Caesar in Egypt'

Ensemble. Shimmering Harmonies - San Diego Opera's 'Carmen' delighted Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. A Fascinating Set - Opera recordings conducted by Stokowski, reviewed by Robert Hugill. 'It leaves one wishing that they'd recorded more.'

Ensemble. Breathtaking Pianism - Malcolm Miller was at Ian Hobson's Wigmore Hall piano recital

Ensemble. Close to Perfection - Arizona Opera's 'The Flying Dutchman', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Faust and the 'Free World' - Madeline Jenkins Millard tells the tale of Tresa Waggoner and the Bennett Six

Music for the People - Amanda von Goetz talks to young violinist and composer William Harvey

Ensemble. A Rare Treat - A New Jersey 'Magic Flute', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Life's Fulfilment - Bill Newman recalls the affection he felt for the great Hungarian conductor-composer Antal Doráti, who would have been 100 years old today

The Designer Touch - Tonina Doráti and opera production, as explained to Bill Newman

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Joan Tower about her new piece 'Chamber Dance'

CD Spotlight. Something for Everyone - A new CD from The 5 Browns, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... charming, vivacious, passionate and gorgeously performed.'

Ensemble. Expansively Romantic - Teatro Lirico d'Europa's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Baton Magician? - David Stahl in conversation with Tess Crebbin about Bernstein, Mahler and German-language opera

Ensemble. Opulently Staged - Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Eclectic Influences - Music by Peter Blauvelt, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'There is some real passion in the sonata ...'

CD Spotlight. Musical Narrative - Works by Mark Applebaum, reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... complex in surface and generally rhapsodic in feel ...'

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

Recent Releases - Books, paintings and music at a writers' event, reviewed by Anna Franco

Ensemble. Energy and Style - A concert by the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

What makes a conductor? - 'Conductors in Conversation' by Jeannine Wagar, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Profile. Devotion to performance - Ted Kendall talks to young violinist Julia Sakharova

Ensemble. Exhilarating Comedy - 'L'Italiana in Algeri' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Vivacious Energy - A meeting with Papa Nuzzo, by Ted Kendall

Ensemble. Dueling Divas - One-act operas by Mozart and Salieri, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Judith Lang Zaimont about her Symphony for Wind Orchestra in Three Scenes

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to John Harbison about his new Concerto for Bass Viol

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

Ensemble. Inner warmth - Bellini's 'Norma' in Denver, appreciated by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Creative Tensions - A double CD from the Fry Street Quartet, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... excellent by any standards ...'

Ensemble. Accomplished Stagecraft - 'The Barber of Seville' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Record box. Colourfully set - Choral music by William McClelland, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. A Balm on the Ears - Handel's 'Semele' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Plea for peace - Vaughan Williams's 'Dona Nobis Pacem' in Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

A straight line career path - Conductor Kenneth Montgomery talks to Maria Nockin about his life, his music and upcoming events

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Joshua Feltman about his new work, 'The Ties that Bind'

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Jennifer Higdon about her new Trombone Concerto

Ensemble. The devil is in the details - Schumann's 'Scenes from Faust' in Cleveland, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Peking order - Bartók, Bernstein and Gershwin from the Pekinel Sisters, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... positively 'aerodynamic' in its clarity, audacity and panache.'

Ensemble. Highly promising - Mei-Ting Sun and the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Assured and confident - James Gaffigan conducts the Cleveland Orchestra, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Legendary generosity - Remembering Constance Keene (1921-2005): an appreciation, by John Bell Young

Ensemble. Ingenuity and madness? - Malcolm Miller investigates Robert Voisey's '60x60' project

Ensemble. Dynamic playing - Roberto Abbado strikes fire with the New World Symphony, and Lawrence Budmen was there

CD Spotlight. Spirited ease - Songs of Jewish life, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... calm and delight to perfection ...'

Ensemble. Luminous display - Jung Lin returns to Lincoln Center, reviewed by Anna Franco

CD Spotlight. A theatrical experience - Spirituals and gospel music sung by Chanticleer, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... enjoyable ...'

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Michael Woods about his new work 'Pieces of Light'

Giants? - Alistair Hinton replies to Patric Standford's latest Provocative Thoughts

CD Spotlight. Colourful spirit - Christmas music from the Mediterranean, enjoyed by Patric Standford. '... an intriguing expansion to musical horizons ...'

An uncanny emerging artist - by Anya Lomakova

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Tobias Picker about his new opera 'An American Tragedy'

New, adventurous and progressive - A profile of the Society for Chromatic Art, by Amanda von Goetz

Ensemble. Changing moods - The Derwent Singers and Sinfonia Chorale, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

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

Editor's Inbox - Another selection of readers' letters, including a review of the Berlin version of Nicholas Maw's opera 'Sophie's Choice'

The good kind of music - American composer Sean Hickey in conversation with Ted Kendall

Ensemble. Heavenly exultation - An unforgettable première of Monteverdi's Vespers, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Characteristically eclectic - Music by Leonardo Balada, reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... a choral composer of flair and creativity.'

Cathy Berberian: Legacy - On the 40th anniversary of 'The Miniskirt Affair', Jennifer Paull sets the mood of the 1960s into which Cathy Berberian's imaginative style of recital programming shook the conventional rafters of 'classical music' through sheer daring - her legacy to music-making

Charmingly unselfconscious - 'Some Kind of Genius: The extraordinary journey of Musical Savant Tony DeBlois', reviewed by Alice McVeigh

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Peter Lieberson about the forthcoming performances of 'Neruda Songs'

CD Spotlight. Intimate pleasures - Duo LiveOak's 'Piva', enjoyed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... an attractive selection of rarely-heard songs.'

CD Spotlight. Unruffled lifestyle - Music by Roumi Petrova, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... splendid performances from start to finish.'

Ensemble. Instrumental dexterity - Transfigured Night for the New World Symphony, by Lawrence Budmen

Ask Alice - Paganini on the mandolin, piano pupils and Bush's latest deal, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. The freedom of jazz - 'All Rise', by Wynton Marsalis, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Artistic vision - Russian artists bring soul to Shostokovich, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A thrilling launch - 'Doctor Atomic' by John Adams, reviewed by Carson Cooman

A major pianist emerges - Nicolai Lomov - an appreciation, by John Bell Young

Ask Alice - On encores, mandolin arrangements and agony aunting, with Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Too many words? - Peter Shaffer's play 'Amadeus', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Passion and yearning - Sujeeva Hapugalle gives a piano recital at London's Leighton House, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Michael Gandolfi about the forthcoming première of his new chamber work 'Plain Song, Fantastic Dances'

Ensemble. A musical treasure - Polina Osetinskaya displays fiery command in Beethoven and Liszt, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Dramatically aggressive - Orchestral music by Robert Kurka, enjoyed by Ron Bierman. 'Strongly recommended.'

Ensemble. Bravura virtuosity - Lawrence Budmen was at the Miami International Piano Festival

Ask Alice - A little bit of teenage hero worship, from Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Provocations - Alistair Hinton and Chad Wozniak discuss Patric Standford's recent 'Provocative Thoughts'

Useful insights - Daniel Felsenfeld's book 'Samuel Barber and Benjamin Britten. Their lives and their music', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Great music making - Cheers for a riveting Canadian dance company at Jacob's Pillow and more music from Tanglewood, reported by Lawrence Budmen

To everything there is a season - A short story by Jenna Orkin of wtceo.org

Ensemble. Superb performances - Alsop triumphs at Tanglewood, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Roulades of passion - Oleh Krysa and Tatiana Tchekina at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. Cool fusion - Chamber music by David Baker, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. 'Baker's slow movements are all gorgeous ...'

Stolen property - The daughter of a Christchurch actress fights church duplicity in Moscow, by Howard Smith

Ask Alice - Advice to a soprano on not kicking the goldfish, from Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Cathy Berberian - Never knowingly misunderstood - Jennifer Paull questions the focus of the lens of musical history

Ask Alice - Whilst Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice is on holiday, Kelly Ferjutz steps in with a special feature about women conductors ...

CD Spotlight. Great clarity - Music by Jason Eckardt, reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... brilliantly performed ...'

DVD Spotlight. A Parisian disco? - Rameau's 'Les Indes galantes', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Les Arts Florissants would triumph in any location.'

Ensemble. Delicate confidence - Kelly Ferjutz was at the Cleveland International Piano Competition

CD Spotlight. Breathtaking brevity - Music by Sweelinck and his pupils, reviewed by George Balcombe. '... a brilliant performance ...'

Ensemble. Sanity to insanity - Lyric Opera Cleveland's 'The Fall of the House of Usher', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Joyous indeed - 'Die Fledermaus' and 'The White Horse Inn' at Ohio Light Opera, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Record box. Push the boat out - Music for trumpets, and music for baroque lute, reviewed by Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - More on music books, including Misha Stefanuk's 'Jazz Piano for the Young Beginner', with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Return to innocence - She Loves Me!, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ask Alice - On the frustrated and the talented, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh, plus a review of Blair Tindall's book 'Mozart in the Jungle'

Ensemble. A veritable dynamo - A conversation with Paavo Järvi, and a review of his Miami concert in April, by Lawrence Budmen

Editor's Inbox - More readers' letters, including condolences offered to those affected by Thursday's bombings in London

CD Spotlight. Appealing listening - Chamber music by Richard Wilson, recommended by Carson Cooman. '... uniformly excellent to hear ...'

Cathy Berberian - A musical Columbus - On what would have been Cathy Berberian's 80th birthday, Jennifer Paull explores the life of the artist who died way too soon

Record box. Impressive performances - A 20th century recital by the Westminster Choir, recommended by Patric Standford

Record box. Names and prayers - Music by Victoria Jordanova, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Deftly performed - Lyric Opera Cleveland's Barber of Seville, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

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

Record box. Story and experience - Music by James Kimo Williams, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. A musical homecoming - New World Symphony alumni return to Miami Beach for a special concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A prodigious composer - Orchestral music by Meyer Kupferman, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... an extrovert, highly charged composer with a vivid sonic imagination and a sure skill in orchestration.'

Record box. Improvisatory style - Music by Douglas Bruce Johnson, reviewed by Patric Standford

Timings - thoughts about the quirkiness of some of music's hidden secrets - The Terminology of Respect, by Jennifer Paull

Timings - thoughts about the quirkiness of some of music's hidden secrets - Reaching Upwards: 1888, by Jennifer Paull

CD Spotlight. Remarkable ingenuity - Lukas Ligeti's 'Mystery System', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... the playing, by the Amadinda Percussion Group, is dazzling.'

Remembrance of things passed and failed - Jenna Orkin of wtceo.org remembers her days teaching at Juilliard

Ask Alice - A review of Margaret Bartley's biography of Russian-American cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Lasting impression - Kelly Ferjutz listens to the second of two special concerts in which Pierre Boulez conducts the Cleveland Orchestra

Ensemble. Ravishing Firebird! - Kelly Ferjutz reports on Boulez in Cleveland

CD Spotlight. Immense variety - Chamber music by American composers, recommended by Patric Standford. 'This is a most worthy undertaking ...'

CD Spotlight. Sonatas and sonatinas - Guitar music played by Nathan Kolosko, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. 'Kolosko's playing is clean, fluent and assured ...'

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Augusta Read Thomas about the forthcoming première of her new orchestral work 'Credences of Summer'

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Julia Scott Carey about the forthcoming première of her new Piano Concerto

Record box. Attractive ideas - The music of Joseph M Levin, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Great sensitivity - Music for wind instruments by Karel Husa, recommended by Patric Standford. '... delightful discoveries, highly recommended.'

CD Spotlight. An ebullient personality - Five orchestral works by Elliott Schwartz, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... fertile imagination and bright spirit.'

Ask Alice - On learning brass scales, and Starker's Brahms revisited, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - On Wieniawski at the Pope's funeral, anonymous letters and breaking a leg, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Exciting performance - Jobim Sinfônico pays tribute to Brazil's musical genius, by Lawrence Budmen

Timings - thoughts about the quirkiness of some of music's hidden secrets - Adding to Adages about Adagios, by Jennifer Paull

Editor's Inbox - More readers' letters

Ensemble. Vibrant production - Gounod's 'Faust' at Palm Beach Opera, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A welcome introduction - Music by John Adams, reviewed by Robert Hugill. 'Alsop has a clear feel for this music ...'

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

Ask Alice - Alice McVeigh reviews 'The World of Music According to Starker'

Ensemble. Grace under pressure - Music by Henri Dutilleux, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Sex and art - Leonard Bernstein's 'On The Town' at the London Coliseum, reviewed by David Wilkins

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Nancy Galbraith about the forthcoming première of her new Requiem

CD Spotlight. Emotional drama - Tristan und Isolde, appreciated by Maria Nockin. '... you feel you are sitting in the tenth row center ...'

Ensemble. Bloch revival - A concert by the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Integrity and musicianship - Haskell Small plays Bach and Small, appreciated by Roderic Dunnett

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to David Stock as the première of Stock's Fifth String Quartet approaches

'Sky poets paint the sheltered curve to find' - the first part of a triptych of articles by Jennifer Paull

Armenian music in America - by Gordon Rumson

CD Spotlight. A voice to cherish - Dawn Upshaw sings Messiaen, Debussy, Golijov and Fauré, recommended by David Wilkins. '... a great disc!'

Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Charles Wuorinen before the première of Wuorinen's Fourth Piano Concerto

Ensemble. Important revivals - Hindemith and Mahler played by members of the New World Symphony, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Incandescent Mozart - Lawrence Budmen reviews clarinettist Alexander Fiterstein's concert with the American String Quartet

Ensemble. 3, 2, 1 ... Piano! - Kelly Ferjutz sees Red in Cleveland

Ensemble. Vibrant performance - Bellini's 'I Puritani' in Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Rebel to rebel - Beethoven, Berg and others in Cleveland and New York, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Sizzling Prokofiev - A recital by Adam Neiman, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Rosalyn Tureck - A memoir by Jenna Orkin of wtceo.org

CD Spotlight. Warmly recommended - The music of Harold Farberman, reviewed by Carson Cooman. 'The performances, all directed by the composer, are strong and authoritative.'

CD Spotlight. Strongly neo-romantic - Chamber music by Lowell Liebermann, reviewed by Carson Cooman. 'The playing is uniformly committed.'

Profile. Letting the music grow - A conversation with Dan Locklair, by Carson Cooman

Ensemble. Holocaust opera - A powerful, deeply moving performance of Viktor Ullmann's 'The Emperor of Atlantis', reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A poetic approach - Eric Le Van plays Scriabin mazurkas, reviewed by John Bell Young. '... always elegant, meticulously adjudicated, and discreetly inflected.'

Three Questions before the First Night - In the first of a new series, Carson Cooman talks to Leonardo Balada before the première of the opera 'Death of Columbus'

CD Spotlight. Threads - Music by Carson Cooman, considered by Patric Standford. '... an ecstatic all American sound ...'

CD Spotlight. Higher authority - Jacob Heringman plays music from the Siena Lute Book, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... an infectious zest for the music ...'

Record box. The perceptive oboe - Nancy Ambrose King plays oboe concertos, reviewed by Basil Ramsey

Ensemble. Twinkling and sparkling - An organ and brass holiday celebration in Cleveland, USA, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Valued archives - Stokowski and the classic Columbias, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a powerful performance ...'

Ensemble. Magisterial Beethoven - A recital by young Russian pianist Denis Burstein, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Festive mood - Carols for brass, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz. '... simply superb.'

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

Ensemble. Dazzling technique - Julia Fischer plays Sibelius, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. American accents - Orchestral music by David Stock, reviewed by Carson Cooman. 'Strongly recommended.'

Ensemble. Sprightly playing - A varied programme from a new chamber orchestra makes a strong impression on Lawrence Budmen

Profile. The man with the golden flute - On the occasion of the flautist's 65th birthday, James Galway talks to David Lipp

Ensemble. Ding, dong! The Witch is Dead - Humperdinck's opera 'Hansel and Gretel' in Cleveland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Emotional depth - The Amernet String Quartet at the Florida International University Music Festival, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Novelist as composer - The life and times of Anthony Burgess, by Tess Crebbin

CD Spotlight. Revelatory success - June de Toth plays Bartók piano music, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a magisterial achievement.'

CD Spotlight. Magisterial command - Jerome Rose plays Schubert, reviewed by John Bell Young. '... surely among the finest readings on record ...'

CD Spotlight. Strongly crafted - Chamber music by Dan Locklair, reviewed by Carson P Cooman. '... an important American voice who deserves further recognition and performances.'

Ensemble. A musical treasure - Aaron Rosand plays Beethoven, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. An original statement - Claudio Bohorquez plays Dvorák, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen

Fascinating suggestions - 'The Beethoven Violin Sonatas: History, Criticism, Performance' from the University of Illinois Press, reviewed by Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Compelling listening - Orchestral music by Leonardo Balada, reviewed by Carson P Cooman. '... this disc is a must have ...'

Ensemble. Glistening quality - Christian Tetzlaff plays Brahms, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ask Alice - On bargains and politics, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. An ideal showcase - Guitar music by Villa-Lobos, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... charming and creditable.'

Ensemble. Musical magic - Round midnight at Festival Miami 2004, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Compelling performances - Elgar's Cello Concerto enlivens an ambitious Festival Miami concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A surefire hit - Bizet's 'Carmen' at Stowe Opera, appreciated by Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. Visions and miracles - Scott Yoo conducts music by Shostakovich, Christopher Theofanidis and Schubert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. 'You are the Light of the World!' - The first performance of Nancy Galbraith's cantata 'God of Justice', reviewed by Carson Cooman

In the wings - Tess Crebbin investigates hot new talent in the singing world

Record box. Exhilarating performances - A historic organ recital by Virgil Fox, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record box. Legato blues - David Johnstone plays assorted music for solo cello, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record box. Devotional pieces - David Barela plays Liszt, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record box. Expanding repertoire - A Daniel Rubinoff saxophone recital, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Time and place - Noah Creshevsky's hyperrealism, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... deserves and rewards the attention it demands.'

CD Spotlight. Individuated lyricism - Marianna Rashkovetsky plays Chopin, reviewed by John Bell Young. '... luscious tone and interpretive ardency.'

Alarms included - Alice McVeigh's 'Ghost Music', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Worthy of the master - An incomparable recital by Casals competition winner Claudio Bohorquez, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

European tour - A preview, of sorts, of the Cleveland Orchestra's four-city, three festival visit, by Kelly Ferjutz

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

Ensemble. Richly sumptuous - The Czech Moravian Virtuosi Orchestra sparkles in novelties from Europe, by Lawrence Budmen

While the music lasts - Kelly Ferjutz enjoys Alice McVeigh's musical novel

Ensemble. Time to mature - Pianist Stewart Goodyear plays an uneven program, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Summer piano in the Big Apple - The International Keyboard Institute and Festival, reviewed by John Bell Young

Ensemble. Elected endings - 'Così fan tutte' at Lyric Opera Cleveland, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. Artistry and ambience - Exhilarating music making at Tanglewood, reported by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Beyond perfection - Mahler's Resurrection Symphony: Levine's farewell concert in Munich, by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. An evening full of Hampsongs - by Sissy von Kotzebue

Record box. Movingly beautiful - Robert Dean Smith sings Wagner, reviewed by Tess Crebbin

Profile. Singing out - An encounter with celebrated Heldentenor Robert Dean Smith, by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. Pas de posthorn - John Neumeier's choreography of Mahler's Third Symphony, reviewed by Sissy von Kotzebue

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

Ensemble. Effervescent clarinet - Lawrence Budmen listens to Richard Stoltzman in a crossover programme

Ensemble. A classic - 'Wonderful Town' at Grange Park Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill

DVD Spotlight. Prophetic merit - Thomas Hampson sings Mahler's 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn', appreciated by Tess Crebbin. '... a stunning visual and auditory experience.'

Ensemble. Dance, Bernstein! - Neumeier choreographs Leonard Bernstein (and everybody wears Armani), by Sissy von Kotzebue and Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. The transformative power of music - An eloquent Schumann Trio tops the Sarasota Festival, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Virtually perfect - Lyric Opera Cleveland's production of 'Little Women', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

Hold on to your bowlers! - Kelly Ferjutz previews Lyric Opera Cleveland's thirty-first season

DVD Spotlight. Life matters - The first of a three part series about Mahler's Third Symphony, exploring Jason Starr's film documentary

Ensemble. Poetic Chopin - Lawrence Budmen enjoyed the Seventh Miami International Piano Festival Discovery Series

Profile. Honest work - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux about her life and career

Ensemble. Eternal optimism - Kelly Ferjutz reviews the Anne Frank double bill at Cleveland Opera

Ask Alice - In the wake of recent European elections, our ever-timely and impartial agony aunt of classical music encourages us to vote McVeigh

Anne Frank's birthday - Kelly Ferjutz previews a Cleveland Opera double bill which honours the event

Timeless and eternal - John Neumeier expresses his admiration for Leonard Bernstein with 'Bernstein Dances', reported by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. Powerful Shostakovich - A valedictory performance by the Miami String Quartet, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Life and death - Tess Crebbin writes about 'Shadowtime', Brian Ferneyhough's first opera

A map to our soul - Tess Crebbin explores the art of Thomas Hampson

Record box. Efficient and sensitive - A Philip Amalong piano recital, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Muscular performance - Rex Harley is left breathless listening to violinist Chloë Hanslip

Ask Alice - Problems this week with headmasters, oboists and emails, for classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Breathtaking transparency - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra play Slavic music

Ensemble. Laden with tension - Strauss's 'Elektra' in Cleveland last night, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz

Moments of happiness - Alfred Brendel wins the International Ernst von Siemens Music Award 2004, reported by Tess Crebbin

CD Spotlight. Time travel - Charles Ives died fifty years ago today, and a CD released to mark the occasion is appreciated by David Wilkins. '... a recording destined for benchmark authority.'

Ensemble. Ravel chestnut - A dazzling arrangement of 'Bolero' for two pianos, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Gypsy fire - Lawrence Budmen is impressed by Ukrainian violinist Vadim Gluzman

CD Spotlight. New ears - The primeTime sublime Community Orchestra, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... this whole disc is about horrifying purists.'

Ensemble. Czech spirit - Lawrence Budmen is impressed by Zdenek Macal and the New World Symphony

Country music? - Greg Barns muses on an Elliott Carter recording by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra

Ensemble. Richness and warmth - The Netherlands Bach Society at Florida's Tropical Baroque Festival, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Treading new ground - Renowned American baritone Thomas Hampson shows a new side in Munich. Tess Crebbin investigates

John Neumeier - Recent weeks have seen extensive features in the German media. Tess Crebbin introduces the American choreographer

Ask Alice - 'Slice it how you like', claims Alice McVeigh, Bromley's premier researcher into cello sounds and classical music's world's first agony aunt. 'How kinky is that?'

Ensemble. An eclectic program - Lawrence Budmen is impressed by Canadian/Armenian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian

CD Spotlight. Beethoven unbuttoned? - Volume two of the Metier 'Beethoven Explored' series, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... nice rhythmic sense and technical assurance.'

Ensemble. Awesome technique - Lawrence Budmen listens to Romanian pianist Mihaela Ursuleasa

Ask Alice - Alice McVeigh, the agony aunt of classical music, is artistically ham-strung and irritated, this week ...

Profile. Vladislav Kovalsky - Master musician and representative of the St Petersburg tradition, by Gordon Rumson

Ensemble. Bravo Chameleon! - Scintillating sounds at the Third Annual Women Composers Concert, by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. The tonal idiom - Interesting music by composers of varying nationalities, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... fine, confident performances ...'

CD Spotlight. To be savoured - Aubrey Brain plays Bach, Brahms, Glazunov and Mozart, appreciated by David Thompson. '... music making of the highest calibre ...'

Ask Alice - A tale of one passport application, by classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Record box. Thoughtful patterns - Music played by Corey Jane Holt, reviewed by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Gentle subtlety - Music by Henri Lazarof, appreciated by Patric Standford. '... a composer deserving an attentive ear.'

Record box. Brittle colour - Heidi Lowy plays Ravel, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Simply overwhelming - Lawrence Budmen experiences 'Dialogues des carmélites' at Palm Beach Opera

CD Spotlight. Totally accessible - Morton Feldman's early and unknown piano works, recommended by Rex Harley. '... a performance of power and commitment ...'

Ask Alice - Community service for conductors? Romantic music for bassoonists? All this and more with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Bracing Schoenberg - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Artemis Quartet

CD Spotlight. Powerful and playful - Fritz Reiner conducts Bartók, admired by Robert Anderson. '... agonised intensity of utmost eloquence.'

Ask Alice - On the continued excellence of the cello and the continued bad behaviour of conductors, with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - The balance of the sexes or ... conductors with their trousers down, with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Old world charm - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin playing Brahms, Mozart and Beethoven

Ask Alice - On string quartets, advertising, cellists and fame, with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Record box. Reaching for the moon - Zeynep Ucbasaran plays Liszt, reviewed by David Thompson

CD Spotlight. Marshalling the ophicleides - Charles Munch conducts Symphonie Fantastique, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The Boston players revel among the cavorting witches with gleeful efficiency.'

Ensemble. Fiery Bartók - Lawrence Budmen listens to French pianist Hélène Grimaud with the Russian National Orchestra

Record box. Colour and interest - Music by Carolyn Yarnell, presented by Patric Standford

CD Spotlight. Fascinating music - Works by Luciano Berio and David Sherr, admired by Patric Standford. '... a great interpreter and technical artist.'

CD Spotlight. Often intriguing - New music for orchestra, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a hypnotically appealing experience.'

Ask Alice - Busking amongst the sheep and speed cameras, classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh, live this week from Wales

Ensemble. Italian passion - Lawrence Budmen attends a concert performance of Bellini's 'Norma'

A hermit at heart - Carolyn Nott pays an eightieth birthday tribute to her husband, the composer Gerard Schurmann

CD Spotlight. Tight development - Benjamin Lees' Symphonies Nos 2, 3 and 5, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'The orchestra responds beautifully ...'

CD Spotlight. Mane-shaking style - Martin Berkofsky plays Liszt, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... playing often as sensitive as one is likely to hear.'

Ensemble. Salute to Vienna - Lawrence Budmen toasts the New Year in the company of the Strauss Symphony of America

Ensemble. Waves of intensity - Malcolm Miller attended the world première of a work for two marimbas at Carnegie Hall, with a presentation to Daniel Liebeskind

Record box. Life's loves - Robert Hugill listens to music by William Copper

CD Spotlight. Exquisite quality - Music played by the Kandinsky Trio, recommended by Patric Standford. '... one of the most attractive chamber music recordings ...'

Record box. Impact of sound - Music by Joe Wiedemann, reviewed by Patric Standford

Record box. Orchestral improvisations - Todd Goodman's Symphony No 1, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Visions of sublimity - Lawrence Budmen listens to Yefim Bronfman and the American String Quartet

A dazzling recital - Misha Dacic plays Rachmaninoff with soul, admired by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A collector's item - Stephen Isserlis and Stephen Hough play Rachmaninov and Franck, admired by John Bell Young. '... the rapport between Mr Isserlis and Mr Hough is on the order of the clairvoyant.'

CD Spotlight. Life and strife - Fritz Reiner's Tchaikovsky, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Reiner's no-nonsense approach avoids any hint of emotional excess.'

With Callas in Mind - Personal reflections on visits to New York, by Grahame Ainge

Whirlwind of activity - Gordon Rumson recommends Charles Barber's book 'Lost in the Stars: The Forgotten Musical Life of Alexander Siloti'

Ensemble. Jazz Yatra - The Indian Jazz Festival, reviewed by Colin D'Cruz

CD Spotlight. River spirits - The opera 'Florencia en el Amazonas' as recorded by Albany, appreciated by Maria Nockin. '... shimmering iridescent music ...'

CD Spotlight. Intense style - Gold and Lees piano concertos, reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... a thoroughly convincing performance.'

Ensemble. Enchanting music - Festival Miami celebrates Ned Rorem's eightieth birthday, and Lawrence Budmen was impressed

Ensemble. Impressions of Italy - Lawrence Budmen is impressed by Alasdair Neale and the New World Symphony

CD Spotlight. Stirring optimism - A new release from the Nietzsche Music Project, examined by John Bell Young. '... intelligible and convincing.'

CD Spotlight. Quite lovely - Samuel Barber's 'Vanessa', appreciated by David Wilkins. 'Andrea Matthews is a very powerful Erika ...'

CD Spotlight. Overall control - Hsia-Jung Chang plays Chopin, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... dazzling technique ...'

Both angel and devil - One hundred years on, John Bell Young provides a critical appraisal of legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz

Total commitment - Lawrence Budmen appreciates the playing of Richard Goode

CD Spotlight. Discussion partners - Contemporary American piano concertos, reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... a masterful performance.'

CD Spotlight. Orchestral panoply - Respighi's Pines and Fountains, appreciated by Robert Anderson. 'Fritz Reiner has the right qualities for this music.'

A rare opportunity - Bennett Lerner plays works by composers deserving more recognition, and Lawrence Budmen is impressed

CD Spotlight. Opportunity to shine - Concertos for Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's centennial, appreciated by Ron Bierman. '... filled with romantic gestures and crowd-pleasing virtuosity.'

Iberian discovery - Malcolm Miller enjoys a Nancy Lee Harper recital of unfamiliar music

Ensemble. Coming of age - Keith Bramich at the twenty-first Presteigne Festival of Music and the Arts

Record box. Tour-de-force - Patric Standford listens to recent music for solo flutes, played by Nancy Ruffer

Record box. Minimal approach - Patric Standford listens to the music of Elodie Lauten

CD Spotlight. Passionate enthusiasm - The orchestral music of Meyer Kupferman, discovered by Patric Standford. '... a sustained quality that is Kupferman's own, widely spread and generous, emotionally extrovert ...'

CD Spotlight. Confident artistry - Music by Gerard Schurmann, welcomed by Patric Standford. '... clear, direct, economical and excellently focussed ...'

CD Spotlight. Wonderful exuberance - A new release of music by Nancy Galbraith, recommended by Carson Cooman. '... music to be played and heard again and again.'

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

Fair game? - Is a little insanity good for the creative process? D C Ruiz talks to Paul Minotto about the primeTime Sublime Community Orchestra

Editor's inbox - more readers' letters

Site seeing - Catching up on some classical music websites, with Keith Bramich

CD Spotlight - Music for two pianos and orchestra, enjoyed by Ron Bierman. '... all the technique these sometimes difficult pieces require ...'

Record box. Effortless background - Patric Standford listens to 'Classical Spirit'

CD Spotlight. To be a composer - Benjamin Lees' Symphony No 4, appreciated by Ron Bierman. '... Buswell's playing is consistently rich and beautiful.'

Ensemble. Vocal power - Tenor Andrew Richards scores in American music, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Chamber orchestra charms - Rare Hungarian music, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Sweet ecstasy - Music by John Tavener, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'Recommended for those who like Tavener or Anonymous 4.'

Record box. Minimalist music - Basil Ramsey listens to the music of Warren Burt

Record box. Russian transcriptions - Basil Ramsey listens to music from the Jewish Folk Music Society

Record box. Variety of mood - Music for cello, with Basil Ramsey

Ask Alice - Classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh, is back (!!!!!!!)

Ensemble. Creative reinterpretation - The 'Missa Solemnis' in facsimile and performance. Malcolm Miller attended a conference and concert at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign

Profile. To be a composer - Ron Bierman continues his feature about Benjamin Lees

Ensemble. High spirits - Lawrence Budmen visits the Sarasota Music Festival

Record box. Romantic cello - Slow and passionate melodies played by John Reed, and reviewed by Basil Ramsey

Record box. Wild folk - Gilles Apap's new Bach and Mozart CD, reviewed by Keith Bramich

Profile. To be a composer - Ron Bierman continues his feature about Benjamin Lees

Record box. Sense of occasion - The Dvorák Day Concert, enjoyed by Keith Bramich

CD Spotlight. Adventurer and virtuoso - Rosemary Tuck plays the Celtic Fantasies of Vincent Wallace, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... splendid performance ...'

CD Spotlight. Modest claims - Music by Phillip Schroeder, reviewed by Rex Harley

CD Spotlight. Varied and stimulating - A new recital from Flute Force, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a major performer and inspiration for composers ...'

Record box. Technical mastery - Basil Ramsey listens to Dohnányi piano music

Music - a short story by Elizabeth Dobbs

Profile. To be a composer - Ron Bierman met and talked to Benjamin Lees

Ensemble. Spotlight in Miami - Gifted artists at the International Piano Festival, by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Fresh lyricism - Dvorák quartets on Praga Digitals, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... beautifully captured by the Kocian team.'

Originality and urbanity - Ilona von Dohnányi's 'Ernst von Dohnányi - A Song of Life', reviewed by Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Hypnotic surfaces - David Lang's 'Child', reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... interesting melodic turns and mild Latin feel ...'

Inspiring confidence - David Thompson is motivated by Barbara Nissman's book 'Bartók and the Piano'

Record box. Mission impossible - Keith Bramich listens to contemporary chamber music by Mark Warhol

Ask Alice - Practical advice from classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Return journey - A Richard Strauss melodrama, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a fine performance from an actor of wide experience ...'

Monk and Mahler - Lawrence Budmen reviews Tilson Thomas performances in Miami

Ask Alice - more questions to Alice McVeigh, the 'agony aunt' of classical music

CD Spotlight. Bamboula! - The music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk, investigated by John Bell Young. '... unimpeachable authority and breathtaking virtuosity ...'

Ask Alice - more of your questions answered by our classical music agony aunt, Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - in the first of a new series, Alice McVeigh, cellist, author and 'agony aunt' of classical music, answers your questions

Editor's inbox - stand up and be counted

Record box. On the water - Music by Anthony Iannaccone, heard by Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight. A spectacular work - Post modernist music enjoyed by Rex Harley. '... Nicolella's tremendous virtuosity ...'

Record box. Sonorous richness - Ron Bierman explores Skrowaczewski's world

CD Spotlight. A commanding spirit - Chamber music from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, appreciated by Patric Standford. '... beautifully recorded and artistically stimulating.'

Record box. Distant love - Songs of Jaufre Rudel and Martin Codax, reviewed by Rex Harley

Simple gifts? - David Thompson is impressed by 'Copland Connotations - Studies and Interviews'

Record box. Deeply affecting - Remembering the Holocaust, by Keith Bramich

Utopian ideals - Gordon Rumson reads Paul W Heimel's 'Oleana - The Ole Bull Colony'

CD Spotlight. Speaking extravagantly - The string quartets of David Stock, appreciated by Ron Bierman

Record box. Occasionally beautiful - The sacred choral music of Robert Evett, explored by Ron Bierman

Violin Master - Gordon Rumson reports on a rare Carnegie Hall appearance of Mark Lubotsky

Ensemble. Illuminations of the Beyond - Rex Harley listens to 'Hot White Light' - new music for percussion in Vancouver

Record box. Consistently musical - Ron Bierman recommends Jeffrey Khaner's flute CD on Avie

Will I let this in? - Some thoughts on the music of Havergal Brian, from Aaron Rabushka

Nuggets of advice - Alice McVeigh's 'All Risks Musical', read by Keith Bramich

Record box. A different fellow - Clementi in musical flight, by Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight. A brave pianist - Music by Charles Ives played by Philip Mead, reviewed by Peter Dickinson. '... Mead's technique is consistently impressive.'

Record box. Propulsion - Schubert piano music played by Zeynep Ucbasaran, reviewed by Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight. Energetically progressive - Kitty Brazelton's chamber music, given a keen ear by Patric Standford. '... some attractive surface work ...'

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

Record box. Psychological borderlands - Keith Bramich encounters the music of Phill Niblock, Philip Corner and Richard Lainhart

Inner sounds - Philip Glass played in Calgary, and Gordon Rumson was in the audience

Reality or invention? - Peter Dale reads from a Liverpool University symposium on the musical work

CD Spotlight. Colourful ideas - The music of David Gaines, explored by Patric Standford. '... bright and clear ...'

Record box. The Rags of Time - Basil Ramsey lingers over the delights of seventeenth century lute songs and dances

Ensemble. Affirmation of life - Malcolm Miller investigates the Yiddish tango

Book review. The narrator's function - McGuire's new book about Elgar's oratorios is investigated by Robert Anderson

A star is reborn - BBC Legends, passing its one hundredth release, is appreciated by John Bell Young

CD Spotlight. World class - Sarasa, a new American baroque ensemble, discovered by John Bell Young. '... vigorous, gutsy and vivacious playing ...'

Music matters - Gordon Rumson reads Wilfrid Mellers' book 'Singing in the Wilderness: Music and Ecology in the Twentieth Century'

Ensemble. Hour of Magic - Malcolm Miller is enthralled by seldom-heard East European music

Site seeing. Boulez destroyed ... but is it art? - Keith Bramich takes a fresh look at the world of classical music online

Record box. The lady smiles - Basil Ramsey plus a duo

Record box. Unashamedly romantic - Keith Bramich listens to 'Yellowstone' for violin and orchestra by Jett Hitt

CD Spotlight. Awkward questions - Two Mozart keyboard CDs, reviewed by Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Reinventing the wheel - A soaring Pegasus, appreciated by Jennifer Paull. '... a brilliance that makes you want to listen to it over and over again ...'

CD Spotlight. Arias for Farinelli - The voice of mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux, appreciated by Maria Nockin. '... played, sung and recorded with exquisite artistry.'

Ensemble. Rule Britannia? - Gordon Rumson reports on New Works Calgary, Friday 13 September 2002

A tough task - Keith Bramich ponders on the art of the conductor, and attends the 2002 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition

Record box. Aural hallucinations - Keith Bramich listens to the 95% post consumer sound of Ellen Band

Record box. Dvorák on the edge - His Stabat Mater reconsidered, by Basil Ramsey

A new 'Enoch' - John Bell Young tells his story of collaboration with British actor Michael York

Unbreakable spirit - Galina Aleykina reports on a concert at the Ukraine National Opera House in memory of the events of September 11th

CD Spotlight. A significant release - Orchestral music by Dan Locklair, investigated by Carson Cooman. '... the performances are solid and zestful.'

Ensemble. A haunting future - Roderic Dunnett praises two recent productions at newly restored Grange Park Opera

Ensemble. Of head and heart - David Thompson samples three symphonies from two international orchestras at the BBC Proms

CD Spotlight. Uncaged John - An attempt to decode his mysteries, by Jennifer Paull. 'Cage is a time-travelling machine.'

Record box. Strikingly unusual - Keith Bramich samples D'Divaz

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

CD Spotlight. Style-modulation - A new British CD of American string quartets, reviewed by Peter Dickinson. '... this performance is superb advocacy.'

CD Spotlight. The Maestro - Stokowski conducts Schumann and Haydn, and David Thompson listens. '... he delivers in spades.'

Record box. Cyclic dream - Keith Bramich listens to another disc from crossover group Univers Zero

Site seeing. Fasolt without Fafner - Keith Bramich visits new classical music websites: Fasolt, L'education musicale, the New Classical Portal, Musica Paraguaya, Classical Notes, Kipling settings, Sharma Musicals, Brandon Sturiale, Zeynep Ucbasaran and Beauty in Music

CD Spotlight. Kipnis' Cocktails - Dances by Dvorák, Brahms and Grieg, reviewed by Jennifer Paull. 'This particular mosaic of magical components is just right!'

A Moment of Madness - Following the controversial acceptance (or infliction) by the English National Opera board of Nicholas Payne's resignation, Pamela Rosenberg, General Director of the San Francisco Opera, talks to Roderic Dunnett about the impact of the decision, and about the esteem in which Payne's leadership is held in Europe and the USA alike

The artistic product - Jim Stokes describes how the Minnesota Sinfonia offers classical music accessible on-location to all

Profile. Aaron Rabushka - a portrait by Jennifer Paull

Record box. Intriguing selection - Keith Bramich listens to contemporary music on the Vienna Modern Masters label

Beethoven's Tenth - An occasional addendum to last year's 'Captivating Moments', with Jim Stokes

Record box. Wildlife in the Nursery - Keith Bramich comes face to face with the singing animals

Site seeing at the Mandolin Café - with Keith Bramich

Record box - Keeping tracks. Basil Ramsey finds fresh guitar tracks to draw upon

CD Spotlight - A born musician. Appreciating the viola d'amore playing of Thomas Georgi, with Jennifer Paull. 'His interpretative skills are as palpitating as the sympathetic strings of his chosen instrument ...'

Record box - Music of quality. David Thompson listens to Gerard Schurmann's score for 'The Lost Continent'

Ensemble - Power and conviction. Malcolm Miller reviews the MIT Symphony Orchestra's concert at St John's Smith Square in London, including the first UK performance of 'Jubal' by Peter Child

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

Profile - Lisztian sparkle. Roderic Dunnett talks to American piano virtuoso Haskell Small

CD Spotlight - Capritio. Instrumental music from the 17th Century, reviewed by Jennifer Paull. '... ensemble playing at its best. O'Dette is an outstanding performer.'

Profile - And your compere is Paula Robison! Bill Newman talks to the American flautist, campaigner and announcer of the Spoleto Festival's mid-day concerts

Essential Cowell - Gordon Rumson reads from the American composer's selected writings 1921-1964

Ensemble - Judge on the menu. Patric Standford attends the first night of Opera North's revival production of Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd'

Record box - Born by the sea. Folk dances from Colombia, with Basil Ramsey

Record box - The glow of its period. Hummel Piano Sonatas considered by Basil Ramsey

Mistaken catastrophe - A view from the trenches, by Gerald Brennan

Timewarp - Jennifer Paull investigates Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto Op 14

Record box - Crossover experience. The Sirius String Quartet's gig with some sonic criminals is observed from a safe distance by Keith Bramich

Site seeing - Ludwig's torso ... another visit to the world of music websites, with Keith Bramich

Profile - A man of vision. Victor Herbert, the first composer to write for film, investigated by Jennifer Paull

Mind my harpsichord! - In affectionate memory of Igor Kipnis, close friend and musical collaborator, by Bill Newman

Profile - A musical enchantress. On the anniversary of Cathy Berberian's death, Jennifer Paull remembers the legendary singer who cast musical spells

A sleeping beauty - Jennifer Paull investigates Robert Schumann's Violin Concerto in D minor, WoO 23

CD Spotlight - Immeasurably sophisticated. 'Mr Sperry is not only up to the challenge, but transcends it in these consistently magical performances.' The Songs of Francis Poulenc, appreciated by John Bell Young

Reminiscent retrospectives - Geographical Gilbert and Surreal Sullivan, with Jennifer Paull

CD Spotlight - Obvious dedication. '... one work - the Gunther Schuller Symphony - receives a truly first-class performance ...' American orchestral music, reviewed by David Wilkins

A man of many talents - Jennifer Paull pays tribute to Igor Kipnis, who died on 24 January 2002

Reminiscent retrospectives - Musical language, with Jennifer Paull

Ensemble - Swashbuckling parody. Roderic Dunnett attends the Hungarian première of Maxwell Davies's Expressionist opera 'Resurrection'

CD Spotlight - Discreet pleasures. '... incomparable authority and elegance ...' Earl Wild plays Hahn's 'Le Rossignol éperdu', appreciated by John Bell Young

Record box - American spiritual. Marilyn Nonken plays new piano works written for her, investigated by Keith Bramich

Site seeing - all change! with Keith Bramich

Profile - Being truthful to the music. Chenyin Li, the young Chinese winner of the 2001 Scottish International Piano Competition, talks to Keith Bramich about experiences, East and West

Reminiscent retrospectives - In a new series, international musician and writer Jennifer Paull shares some of her musical memories. September 11th 2001

CD Spotlight - Voice of an angel. 'A wonderful collection ...' Gillian Weir's Organ Master Series on Priory, with David Thompson

CD Spotlight - Profound beauty. '... a commendable account ...' Ernest Bloch's music, with Robert Anderson

Ensemble - Perennial favorite. Chad Neuman at Orlando Opera's 'The Tales of Hoffmann'

MV3, with Gordon Rumson and Keith Bramich - Habermann, Buckle, Green and snagloopdog

Second Sight - Music with Wilfrid Mellers - A wizard at the keyboard. 'Hamelin ... may perhaps come closest to the necromatic dazzle that the composer's own playing was said to display.' Marc-André Hamelin plays Alkan

Record box - Piano sonorities. Basil Ramsey hears American piano music.

CD Spotlight - Magisterial presence. '... a performance that is at once radiant, powerful and precise.' Garnet Ungar plays Brahms, reviewed by John Bell Young

Record box - Minus the Adagio. Barber and some orchestral music, with Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight - Immanent power. '... a musician's musician, one who harvests a composition for its intimacy and expressive nuance.' Walter Hautzig plays dances for the piano, reviewed by John Bell Young

Record box - Alongside AD1620. Basil Ramsey listens to the music of Edward MacDowell

Teenage virtuoso - Malcolm Miller attends the impressive Wigmore Hall début of Singaporean violinist Min Lee

Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - The sounds of music - an attempt at some conclusions at a time of world crisis

After tragedy - more letters received about music and the current international situation

Record box - No piano on that one. Basil Ramsey overhears musicians getting together

Record box - Confident skill. Basil Ramsey listens to a choral composer at work

CD Spotlight - Poetic best. '... a white-hot listening experience.' Jorge Bolet's rediscovered Liszt recital, by Igor Kipnis

Golden age - Peter Dickinson reviews two books on American music

After tragedy - letters received, including a comment from the Editor

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

The Name of the Game - Oboe d'Amore soloist Jennifer Paull meanders through the maze of musical instrument names

Ensemble - Naïve and Sentimental Music. Malcolm Miller attends the London première of John Adams' most recent and largest orchestral work

Record box - Guitar scenario. Basil Ramsey hears a record from Christopher Parkening

Record box - A comfortable stroll. Basil Ramsey meets with clarinet, basset horn and piano

CD Spotlight - Monumental achievements. Some thoughts on Bernstein's recordings of the Mahler symphonies, by David Wilkins (concluded from yesterday)

CD Spotlight - Monumental achievements. Some thoughts on Bernstein's recordings of the Mahler symphonies, by David Wilkins (continued from yesterday)

CD Spotlight - Monumental achievements. Some thoughts on Bernstein's recordings of the Mahler symphonies, by David Wilkins (continued from yesterday)

CD Spotlight - Monumental achievements. '... stunningly committed performances ...' Some thoughts on Bernstein's recordings of the Mahler symphonies, by David Wilkins

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

Fool's gold - An alternate meaning to the music of Philip Glass, from Gordon Rumson

Record box - Worth a challenge. William Schuman's music, with Basil Ramsey

Record box - Space and light. Two American composers in the light, with Basil Ramsey

Site seeing - Opus pocus - have you seen these sites?

Proms before the Proms - Malcolm Miller attended two concerts by Israeli artists in a recent music festival in North London

MV3 - fragments of forgotten sounds - take Gordon Rumson's world tour! (concluded from last month)

Larsen's Licence - Howard Smith writes about one of the most important and celebrated composers working today

CD Spotlight - Incomparable performances. '... refined music making ...' Pola Baytelman plays Albéniz and Ginastera, by John Bell Young

Music: The Chameleon Catalyst - Oboe d'Amore specialist Jennifer Paull reflects on education, liguistics and the muse (concluded from two weeks ago)

Music: The Chameleon Catalyst - Jennifer Paull reflects on education, liguistics and the muse

Site seeing - More musical websites from classical cyberspace

CD Spotlight - Collecting material. '... a mélée of romantic and selective modern language ...' Utilising the unusual, with Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight - Persuasively delivered. 'She is most compelling in the German literature ...' A Renée Fleming and Jean-Yves Thibaudet recital, with John Bell Young

New twists - Malcolm Miller listens to American pianist John Robilette

On watch at the Van Cliburn Competition - with John Bell Young (continued from Thursday)

MV3 - fragments of forgotten sounds - page 4 -

MV3 - fragments of forgotten sounds - page 3 -

MV3 - fragments of forgotten sounds - page 2 -

MV3 - fragments of forgotten sounds - take Gordon Rumson's world tour!

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

Record box - Trawling for treasure - Toscanini -

CD Spotlight - On top of the notes. '... an ordinary, competent piano player.' A view of pianist Lang Lang, from John Bell Young

The Ring in Chemnitz - Robert Anderson pays a visit

Site seeing - Islamey and friends - discoveries and re-discoveries, with Keith Bramich

Paying tribute - The Editor's Quarterly Surprise

Cultural flowering - Malcolm Miller in conversation with Hanna Munitz, General Director of New Israeli Opera (concluded from last week)

Cultural flowering - Malcolm Miller in conversation with Hanna Munitz, General Director of New Israeli Opera

Record box - Give and Take. Basil Ramsey enjoys companion organ CDs

Record box - Four-handed music. Igor Kipnis & Karen Kushner, with Basil Ramsey

Wide range and experience - Joanne Chang writes on music education in the USA

Site seeing - The cabbage patch - more readers' suggestions, with Keith Bramich

Record box - Out with a bang. Trios for clarinet, with Basil Ramsey

Site seeing - Silver discs - record labels online, with Keith Bramich

Ives and the Establishment - Jennifer Paull compares the American visionary composer with Spanish architech Antonio Gaudí

MV3, with Gordon Rumson and Keith Bramich - M&V's monthly visit to the world of online music

CD Spotlight - Piano masterpieces. '... these performances are as compelling as they are touching.' A recital by the young Texan pianist Roger Wright, by John Bell Young

Trump card - Howard Smith tells the story of the New Zealand String Quartet's well-kept Hungarian secret

Site seeing - Special collections - the top 10 websites of February 2000, with Keith Bramich

Indispensable - Peter Dickinson reads Steven Moore Whiting's 'Satie, the Bohemian: from Cabaret to Concert Hall'

Site seeing - Slice searching? A bizarre way to make sense of the net, with Keith Bramich

Site seeing - more 2000 top websites, with Keith Bramich

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

Site seeing - 50 of the best. Top websites revisited, with Keith Bramich

Jazz Legend - A tribute to Oscar Peterson, by Malcolm Miller

Sympathetic strings - An introduction to the Viola d'Amore, with Thomas Georgi

MV3, with Gordon Rumson and Keith Bramich - the first of Music and Vision's monthly visits to the world of online music

Speaking universally - A Yank's appreciation of British music, with Richard Krause

CD Spotlight - Circuit of excellence. '... the Lindsays provide performances matching the quality that strides through some of the best of Dvorák.' Dvorák well served, with Basil Ramsey

Christmas box - Passion of Scrooge. A stereoscopic, circle surround Christmas Carol, with Keith Bramich

CD Spotlight - Bach passion. '... JSB himself would be bewitched and bewildered by what has emerged, even after being introduced to the wonders of electricity.' A bizarre pilgrimage with Basil Ramsey

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

Planning your collection - Barber -

Planning your collection - Hanson -

Record box - Irresistible beauty - Anonymous 4, with Basil Ramsey

Site seeing - An eye and an ear, with Keith Bramich

CD Spotlight - An early Kipnis recording, with Ann Bond

Planning your collection - Stefan Jess and Barbara Moser; Louis Lortie and George Pehlivanian

Leonard Bernstein 1918-1990 - Lenny - 10 Years On, with David Wilkins

Bach in Manhattan - a memorable concert

Record Box - Over the hills - Delius before the first cuckoo, with Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight - A sense of balance. '... authoritative and splendid performances ...' Hummel back in the light, with Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight - Bruch rarities. '... the orchestral accompaniment transcends the accepted harmonic idiom, interspersed with Elizabeth Whitehouse's serene arias ...' Should we allow biased opinions to sway musical judgement? with Bill Newman

Record Box - Manners of clothing - At ease with the sacred, with Basil Ramsey

Planning your collection - Lukas Vondracek -

Admiring colleagues - Martin Jones and Mark Anderson in conversation with Bill Newman

Brave New World - Bill Newman reads 'Eric Leinsdorf on Music'

Planning your collection - Global Fascinations and Sophistications - Chopin Mazurkas, Hummel piano music, Charles Koechlin and Kenneth Leighton, with Bill Newman

CD Spotlight - American voices. '... compellingly energetic rhythmic forces, clear, translucent orchestration, bold themes and simple structures.' Symphonies by George Antheil and Paul Creston, examined by Peter Dale

Editorial musings - 'A composer is or isn't', with Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight - Gershwin arrangements - Peter Dickinson listens to Michael Finnissy as arranger

CD Spotlight - Indelible visions of a troubled world. Bill Newman discusses the Emersons' new recording of the complete Shostakovich works for string quartet

Randall Thompson Centenary - Peter Dickinson writes about Thompson's career