A selection of 'Belgium' articles

Ensemble. A Fascinating Mix - Mike Wheeler listens to a joint concert by Derby Cathedral Choir and Sinfonia Viva

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

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

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

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

CD Spotlight. A Fine Interpreter - Geoff Pearce is impressed by Carlo Alberto Bacchi's recording of sonatas by Muzio Clementi. '... pianist Carlo Alberto Bacchi performs with assurance, grace and mastery.'

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

CD Spotlight. Lovable Rogues? - Paul Sarcich delves into the output of the Belgian equivalent of 'Les Six'. 'These largely unknown composers have been brought back to life by excellent preparation and performance ...'

CD Spotlight. Tremendously Moving - Well-known and less well-known French choral music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... performances are full of profound grandeur ...'

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

CD Spotlight. Most Effective and Exciting - Geoff Pearce recommends Nigel Clarke's 'The Prophecies of Merlin'. 'Peter Sheppard Skærved certainly rises to the occasion in this demanding work.'

Ensemble. Brilliance, Ingenuity and Excellence - Roderic Dunnett listens to Handel's 'Agrippina'

Classical music news. Rhythms of the Brain - Performance news from Iceland, New Zealand and Malta

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A spot of circumnavigation on a Sunday afternoon

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. Full of Panache - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about a recent performance of 'Don Giovanni' in Rome

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.'

CD Spotlight. A Commanding Technique - Gerald Fenech listens to Patrick Dheur playing piano music by César Franck. 'A fine and fitting tribute to one of the most original composers ever to come out of Belgium ...'

CD Spotlight. Spirit of a Nation - Gerald Fenech is impressed by music of nineteenth century Polish composers Henryk Wieniawski, Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński and Karol Kurpiński. '... both players and soloists surpass themselves with passionate renditions ...'

CD Spotlight. An Additional Significance and Poignancy - Gerald Fenech listens to César Franck orchestral music, recorded in Ukraine. 'Francisco Varela draws the very best from the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, and performances are consistently fresh, alive and often compelling.'

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

CD Spotlight. A Fresh Rendering - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to solo violin sonatas by Eugène Ysaÿe, played by Anca Vasile Caraman. '... a gem which should be on the shelves of all those interested in the music of the early decades of the twentieth century ...'

Classical music news - 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 - Philippe Boesmans (1936-2022)

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

CD Spotlight. On the Border between Innovation and Experimentation - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music by Giacinto Scelsi. '... possessed by sounds, trapped in fingertips that are constantly forced to move.'

CD Spotlight. Stimulating and Challenging - Concertos by Kalevi Aho, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Invigorating stuff in excellent sonics and detailed annotations.'

CD Spotlight. The Ultimate Recording - François-Xavier Roth's recording of Debussy's 'Pelléas et Mélisande', recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... all are truly outstanding ...'

Ensemble. Songs of Farewell - The Sitwell Singers' first concert since the passing of conductor Malcolm Goldring earlier this year, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Shattered Lives - Gerald Fenech recommends Fabrice Bollon's recording of César Franck's opera 'Hulda'. 'Sensational operatic discovery in an electrifying performance that sizzles with some superb singing and brilliant orchestral playing.'

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.'

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

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. When I'm Sixty-Four - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Spoleto Festival

Ensemble. Down with the Piano Lid - Mike Wheeler listens to Ivan Hovorun

Classical music news. Obituary - Alexander Maykapar (1946-2021)

CD Spotlight. An Invaluable Collection - Symphonies by Marcel Poot, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... generally the playing and sound is very good.'

Ensemble. Pelléas in the Waters - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences a new Italian production of Debussy's opera via TV

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

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

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

CD Spotlight. Immense Joy - Gerald Fenech listens to Beethoven and Gossec symphonies. 'A first-rate project deserving of the most serious of investigations.'

Ensemble. Nicely Varied - Peter Siepmann plays Johann Sebastian Bach, Maurice Duruflé and César Franck on the Compton organ at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Love, Jealousy and Madness - Music inspired by Ariosto's poem 'Orlando Furioso', heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Filippo Mineccia sings with an exceptional timbre that is sensual and luminous, mixing virtuosity with sensitivity, while Pablo Garcia and his ensemble give sympathetic support with their insightful playing.'

CD Spotlight. Enticing Orchestration - Gerald Fenech listens to tone poems by César Franck performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and conductor Jean-Luc Tingaud. 'This fine issue also includes three overtures ...'

CD Spotlight. Tonal Brilliance - Brahms clarinet chamber music, heard by Patrick Maxwell. '... Brahms' incredible score is done full justice in this recording, which shows the best of the composer's last years and the glories of Romantic chamber music.'

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

CD Spotlight. Nothing Short of Heroic - Idil Biret plays César Franck, impressing Gerald Fenech. 'My impression is that Biret does not only interpret these works but she reincarnates them.'

Classical music news. Stjepan Hauser - The Croatian cellist performs with orchestra at Egypt's Soma Bay in April 2020

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

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.'

French Romanticism - George Colerick discusses orchestral music by Berlioz, Saint-Saëns, Delibes, Lalo, d'Indy, Debussy, Ravel, Honegger, Poulenc, Milhaud and others

A Subtle Approach - Mike Wheeler listens to organ music by Leighton, Franck, J S Bach and Henri Mulet, played by Edward Turner at Derby Cathedral

Ensemble. Sex and Power in Pesaro - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a new production of 'Semiramide' at the Rossini Opera Festival

Profile. Only the Screen - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė talks to the Belgian singer and conductor Tore Tom Denys

Ensemble. Very Sensual - Giuseppe Pennisi steps up to Caetani Castle to listen to madrigals by Gesualdo

Ensemble. Simply Exhilarating - Music for violin and piano by César Franck and Camille Saint-Saëns from Hungarian duo Boglárka György and Brigitta Sveda impresses Mike Wheeler

Classical music news. Obituary - Michael Gielen (1927-2019)

CD Spotlight. Woolly Publicity - The Flemish septet Aranis, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'There's no doubting Aranis' outright professionalism and faultless ensemble; and the fifty-five minute programme has a degree of variety.'

CD Spotlight. Timeless Significance - The Lassus St Matthew Passion, lauded by Gerald Fenech. 'Bo Holten and Musica Ficta give unerring performances, and their immaculate communication of the text added to the purity of the singing certainly contribute immensely to the enjoyment of this rarely heard work.'

CD Spotlight. Fresh and Appealing - The Christmas Story by Heinrich Schütz impresses Gerald Fenech. '... lusciously presented ...'

CD Spotlight. Rapturous Creations - Trio Karénine plays Robert Schumann piano trios, and impresses Gerald Fenech. '... commanding authority, rewarding depth and devil-may-care exuberance ...'

CD Spotlight. Musical Invention - Orchestral music by Ottorino Respighi excites Gerald Fenech. '... passionately performed and sumptuously recorded ...'

DVD Spotlight. An Ancient Character - Rossini's 'Semiramide', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... traditional elements alongside innovative ones.'

DVD Spotlight. Toughest Penance - Franck's 'Stradella', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the staging did its best to eliminate the music altogether ...'

Ensemble. Bold and Daring - A new production of Wagner's 'Parsifal', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Trends and Tendencies - Contemporary music at the Enescu Festival, discussed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Brightly Scored - Orchestral music by Jan van der Roost, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... colourful and indeed striking ...'

CD Spotlight. Interpretative Compass - Jennifer Koh plays Bach and more, heard by Howard Smith. '... divine, finely-spun tone ...'

DVD Spotlight. Love's Ravages - Cavalli's 'Il Giasone', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the sense of fun detracts somewhat from the high drama ...'

Ensemble. Luminous Scoring - Jongen, Dukas, Fauré, Respighi and Messiaen from Jonathan Scott, Cristian Mandeal and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Imitative Textures - Choral music by Giaches de Wert, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The singing is of the standard King's College effortlessly produces.'

Ensemble. Truly Beautiful - Gounod's 'Faust' at San Diego Opera delights Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Great Fluency - Music by Pierre Moulu, heard by George Balcombe. '... magically moving individual lines and harmonies.'

CD Spotlight. Well Worth Exploration - Orchestral music by Lodewijk Mortelmans, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The performances ... are a delight ...'

CD Spotlight. Clearly Etched - Violin concerti by Vieuxtemps, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... crisp ensemble and warm, full tone ...'

CD Spotlight. Glowing Performances - Music by Koechlin and Jongen, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a truly outstanding recital ...'

CD Spotlight. Indeed Eternal - 'Symphonie fantastique' and 'Le Carnaval romain', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... much to admire ...'

Ensemble. The Quality of the Cooks - Verdi comic operas on stage, tasted by Giuseppe Pennisi

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

Ensemble. Strong Performances - Handel's 'Susanna' from Les Arts Florissants, assessed by Robert Hugill

Nicely Judged - A recital by harpist Anneleen Lenaerts impresses Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Very Powerful - Orchestral music by Vytautas Bacevicius, reviewed by Gordon Rumson. 'He had much to say and said it very well.'

Ensemble. Expert Playing - Music for voices and brass, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Record Box. Great Beauty - Music by Guillaume Dufay impresses Gerald Fenech

CD Spotlight. Get Up and Dance - Elizabethan street songs, heard by Maria Nockin. '... plain good listening ...'

Ensemble. Highly Charged - A recital by Daniel Kuzmin and Alberto Portugheis, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. An Orchestral Conception - Bach church cantatas, heard by Robert Anderson. '... robust and sensitive as required ...'

Assuming the Helm - Roderic Dunnett reports on two new appointments at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels

Grand Scale - Mike Wheeler attends summer organ recitals by Tom Corfield and Johan Hermans

Ensemble. Emotional Degradation - Music Theatre Wales presents Philippe Boesmans' 'Julie', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Silvery Tone - A recital by Serena Leader and Gordon Back, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

CD Spotlight. Without Carols - Renaissance music for Christmas, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... endless web of glorious sound recorded sound ...'

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

CD Spotlight. Tonal beauty - The first recording of Vivaldi's 'Bajazet', appreciated by Maria Nockin. '... absolutely stunning.'

Record box. A rare treat - Jean Guillou plays the complete organ works of César Franck, reviewed by Tess Crebbin

CD Spotlight. Pointing the way - A chamber-music quality 'Nutcracker', with Ron Bierman. '... closer to what Tchaikovsky had in mind.'

Record box. Skewering demons - Concert works by film composers, played by the New Art Trio and reviewed by Keith Bramich

Record box. Buried masterpiece? - Roderic Dunnett is bowled over by Gossec's Requiem

A tough task - Keith Bramich ponders on the art of the conductor, and attends the 2002 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition

CD Spotlight. Uneasy agitation - The music of César Franck, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Thiollier is capable of the loveliest sonorities from the outset ...'

Record box. Cyclic dream - Keith Bramich listens to another disc from crossover group Univers Zero

Site seeing - Ludwig's torso ... another visit to the world of music websites, with Keith Bramich

Record box - Crawling wind. Keith Bramich listens to a rare 1970s hybrid.

Reminiscent retrospectives - Musical language, with Jennifer Paull

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

Dame Moura Lympany - A personal tribute by Bill Newman (concluded from last week)

Record box - Gentle pleasure. Dallying with Grétry, with Basil Ramsey

Record box - Young music. Early quartets by Arriaga, with Basil Ramsey

Summer Opera Reviews - Roderic Dunnett looks back at a thumping good summer for opera festivals in Britain and Ireland. Part 4 - Mr Emmet Takes a Walk

The lost chord - Newly furbished as a recital instrument, London's Royal Festival Hall organ was re-launched on 19 October. Shirley Ratcliffe was there and was in for a surprise.

Planning your collection - Koechlin -