RESOUNDING ECHOES: From August 2022, Robert McCarney's regular series features little-known twentieth century classical composers.
DISCUSSION: Defining Our Field - what is 'classical music' to us, why are we involved and what can we learn from our differences? Read John Dante Prevedini's essay, watch the panel discussion and make your own comments.
Born in Liverpool in 1976, Lucas Ball’s interest in music, and pleasure gained from it developed at an early age, having lessons with Julia Waring and later, Ronald Settle.
After studying piano under Helen Krizos at the Royal Northern College of Music (Junior School) in Manchester, Lucas Ball went on to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now called Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) under Vanessa Latarche, Victor Sangorgio and Fali Pavri. He studied Harpsichord (continuo playing) under early music co-ordinator John Langdon. His postgraduate studies were a Diploma in Music and Health from the University of the West of England in Bristol.
Since graduating from RSAMD in 1998, Lucas Ball has worked as a piano accompanist for theatrical societies and choral societies and for students taking their music examinations. Lucas Ball has also been a columnist for the Watford Observer, St Albans Observer (from 2003-05), Worcester News (2003-2011), Music & Vision Magazine (from 2017) and for various society websites.
Besides music, Lucas Ball’s other interests include the effect Classical Greek civilisation has had on the modern world (the arts, science, politics, sport), playing tennis and long distance foot races (he ran the London Marathon in April 2015).
Lucas Ball is a half-brother of the Royal Ballet (Covent Garden) dancer Mathew Ball and the New Statesman journalist Jonny Ball.
Lucas Ball listens to music by Chilcott, Mealor, Stanford and Whitacre at the 2024 Three Choirs Festival
Lucas Ball listens to music by Tchaikovsky and Sibelius from Katy Smith, Keith Slade and the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra
Lucas Ball is impressed by Brahms and Wagner in Worcester Cathedral
Lucas Ball listens to Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony performed by a regional choir and orchestra
Lucas Ball was impressed when Andrew Slater stepped in at short notice to sing in Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius'
Lucas Ball listens to Vaughan Williams and Delius sung by the Worcester Festival Choral Society
Lucas Ball listens to Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Brahms from Viv McLean, Keith Slade and the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra
Lucas Ball listens to Bach and Buxtehude at last month's Three Choirs Festival in Worcester UK
Lucas Ball listens to Beethoven from Igor Levit and Xiaohan Wang
Lucas Ball compares two Beethoven choral works on a new recording from harmonia mundi
Lucas Ball listens to Riccardo Minasi's interpretations of late Mozart symphonies. '... the sort of technical control and agility that you get from many world class artists.'
Lucas Ball listens to J S Bach, Caroline Shaw and Robert Schumann, played by Amy Yang. '... the sort of technical control and agility that you get from many world class artists.'
Lucas Ball listens to the latest volume in James Brawn's Beethoven series. '... the sort of technical control and agility that you get from many world class artists.'
Yevgeny Sudbin plays Rachmaninov. '... most of the time, what Sudbin does with these fiendishly difficult works is hard to criticise.'
Angela Brownridge plays Chopin Ballades. '... both technically and poetically impressive with a wide range of emotions ...'
Vadim Gluzman plays Brahms. 'Gluzman and Yoffe are at their most energetic and communicative.'
Lucas Ball reviews a production that emphasises The Magic Flute's fun elements
Brahms' German Requiem and Dvorák's Slavonic Dances from Peter Nardone and the Worcester Festival Choral Society
Sergei Rachmaninov's Symphony No 2 and 'Vocalise'. '... there is a great sense of direction in this recording.'
Classical music news. Streaming, Downloads and CDs - Classical Music Daily's May 2021 Newsletter has just been published as a video podcast
Classical music news - Schubert via Zoom - Sing and/or play Schubert's Mass in G online