LISTENING TO TCHAIKOVSKY: Béla Hartmann uses his knowledge of Eastern Europe to argue against the banning of all Russian culture following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
VIDEO PODCAST: James Ross and Eric Fraad discuss Streaming, Downloads and CDs with Maria Nockin, Mary Mogil, David Arditti, Gerald Fenech, John Daleiden, John Dante Prevedini, Lucas Ball and Stephen Francis Vasta.
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
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.'
CD Spotlight. Beauty to Entice the Ears - Gerald Fenech listens to a compilation mass from Antonio Vivaldi's music. '... vibrant playing full of unalloyed joy.'
Ensemble. Modern Madrigals in the Seventeenth Century - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to vocal music by Gesualdo and some of his contemporaries
CD Spotlight. An Interesting History - Gerald Fenech listens to Marc-Antoine Charpentier's 'Le Malade Imaginaire'. 'William Christie and his Arts Florissants offer an interpretation that sparkles with a musical originality ...'
Ensemble. A Connolly Smorgasbord - A selection of performances by Sarah Connolly, as part of the Buxton International Festival Digital 2020 Season, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Gesualdo and Friends - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Les Arts Florissants
CD Spotlight. Public Taste - Madrigals from Monteverdi's Venice period, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Paul Agnew and his famous choristers give highly exciting performances, with every poetic nuance exploited to maximum musical effect.'
CD Spotlight. Translucent Sound - Harp music from Xavier de Maistre, appreciated by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are lusciously executed, and both soloist and orchestra are in perfect harmony ...'
CD Spotlight. Consummate Skill - William Christie's Les Arts Florissants, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... each piece comes to life with inimitable charm and grace.'
DVD Spotlight. A Little Wizardry - Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas', recommended by Robert Anderson. '... the playing is stylish and alert throughout.'
Ensemble. Strong Performances - Handel's 'Susanna' from Les Arts Florissants, assessed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Profoundly Beautiful - William Christie's 'Dido and Aeneas' impresses Robert Hugill
CD Spotlight. Deceptive Naturalness - Red Priest's 'Nightmare in Venice', entertains Howard Smith. '... irrepressible, chic ...'
DVD Spotlight. High jinks - Rameau's 'Les Paladins', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a wealth of fine singing.'
DVD Spotlight. A Parisian disco? - Rameau's 'Les Indes galantes', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Les Arts Florissants would triumph in any location.'
Ensemble. Radiantly musical - Les Arts Florissants perform music by Charpentier, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Handelian metal - A concert performance of 'Serse', reviewed by Robert Hugill