UPDATES: There's a new feature every day at Classical Music Daily. Read about the various ways we can keep in touch with you about what's happening here.
Classical music news. Finland and the Finnish - International Opera Awards, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Timo Mustakallio and Mirjam Helin Singing Competitions
Spotlight. An Interesting and Varied Release - Geoff Pearce recommends Hanni Liang's album of piano music by women composers. 'I was very impressed with the originality of this prgramme.'
Classical music news. October 2024 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our October 2024 video newsletter - Composers, individuals or collective?
Classical music news - Elim Chan - Intermusica Artists Management welcomes the young Hong Kong-born conductor
Classical music news - September 2024 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Classical music news. Jaeden Izik-Dzurko - A young Canadian pianist has won the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition
Classical music news. Community MusicWorks - A music hub in Providence, Rhode Island, USA announces a new building and performance space
Ensemble. Avian Humanoids in the Park - Keith Bramich takes a guided walk with a difference
Classical music news. August 2024 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our August 2024 video newsletter - Initiating change, and the programming of living composers
Classical music news - Nico Muhly - 'To the Body' forms part of the exhibition 'Yu Hong: Another One Bites the Dust' and the first performance of Muhly's work takes place today in Venice
Spotlight. Denmark's Greatest Conductor? - Gerald Fenech delves into more volumes of Danacord's 'Thomas Jensen Legacy' series. 'Strongly recommended.'
Classical music news. May 2024 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our May 2024 one hour video newsletter - Improvisation in the classical world and beyond
Classical music news. Behind the Scenes - A recent article alleges a bad working atmosphere and more at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical music news. Edo de Waart - The Dutch conductor retires at eighty-two
Ensemble. Little Short of Miraculous - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Hanni Liang's pianism, but reports that some audience members were unhappy with her recital's lecture element
Ensemble. Radically New for Western Audiences - Adam J Sacks reports from the Hong Kong Arts Festival
Classical music news - Kublai Khan - The first performances of Salieri's opera 'Cublai, gran kan de' Tartari' will take place in April 2024
Classical music news - February 2024 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Classical music news. Gurwitz Winners - Yungyung Guo, Tatiana Dorokhova and Young Sun Choi win medals at the 2024 Gurwitz International Piano Competition
Classical music news. January 2024 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our January 2024 video newsletter - Twenty-five Years
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.'
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
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
Classical music news - The Compleat Busoni and other delights - A book launch, first performance and signing will take place this month in Canberra, Australia
Ensemble. Misunderstandings and Jealousy - Mike Wheeler reports on the gender-politics of the Buxton Festival's production of Bellini's 'La Sonnambula'
Music as a Form of Magic - Larry Sitsky: Late Piano Pieces - Second Series 2022-2023
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.'
Ensemble. An Elegy for Mother Earth - Adam J Sacks listens to John Luther Adams' 'Vespers of the Blessed Earth'
Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A spot of circumnavigation on a Sunday afternoon
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
Classical music news. Tan Dun - Decca signs the multi-award-winning composer of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
Classical music news - January 2023 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Ensemble. Simply Outstanding - Mike Wheeler listens to Dukas, Elgar, Tabakova and Walton from Zlatomir Fung, Ben Gernon and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Ensemble. A Worthy Venture - Adam J Sacks reports on two Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra concerts
CD Spotlight. Some Delicious Playing - Geoff Pearce listens to Stravinsky. 'The BBC Philharmonic's performance is fine indeed ...'
Profile. Opera is a Whole New World - As rehearsals begin for her new opera, Gabriela Lena Frank talks to Ron Bierman
Classical music news. Santander Piano Competition - Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, Xiaolu Zang and Marcel Tadokoro have won first, second and third prizes in the 2022 Santander International Piano Competition this month
Classical music news. July 2022 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our July 2022 newsletter - Youth Involvement in Classical Music
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.'
Classical music news. The Book of Moments - Heresy Records releases Chinese pianist Ji Liu's eighteen hour 'Sonata Fantasy, The Book of Moments', which honours frontline pandemic workers
Classical music news. Music Competitions - Here are details of various music competitions taking place during the coming months
Ensemble. Two Performances of 'Turandot' in Rome - Giuseppe Pennisi attended one and saw the other on TV
Classical music news - March 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Ensemble. Complete Assurance - Mike Wheeler listens to Mozart, Debussy and Prokofiev, played by Ke Ma
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.'
Ensemble. A Sonic Silk Road - Music for guitar, for erhu and for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, heard by Adam J Sacks
Classical music news. Taiwan's New Landmark - Taipei Performing Arts Centre is to open in Summer 2022
Ensemble. Two Young Stars in the Musical Firmament - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to cellist Zlatomir Fung and pianist Richard Fu
CD Spotlight. Chinese Contemporary Music - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Xiaoyong Chen. 'The mixture of colours is very interesting.'
Ensemble. Last of the Samurai - Adam J Sacks discusses the new Opera Hong Kong/Slovene National Theater Maribor co-production of Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly'
Spontaneous Creativity - Some distinguishing features of Korea's traditional music, by Simon Farrugia
CD Spotlight. A Connection with Mahler - Music by Penderecki, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'The Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Sopot, conducted by Wojciech Rajski, is magnificent.'
CD Spotlight. Sorrow and Gratification - Geoff Pearce listens to music by Xiaogang Ye. '... a fitting reflection of the work of this fine composer.'
Classical music news - August 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Profile. Landmark Collaborations - A personal reminiscence of British conductor Lawrence Leonard, by Keith Bramich
Profile. Paul Zicheng Fu: A Life in Music - Gordon Andrew R investigates a Chinese-born composer who has settled in Canada
Ensemble. A Fitting Environmentalist Update - Adam J Sacks listens to Prokofiev in Hong Kong
CD Spotlight. Violin Concertos with Oriental Flavors - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music by Nai-Chung Kuan and Joel Hoffman. '... a new musical experience ...'
CD Spotlight. Highly Characterful and Dynamic - Lucas Ball listens to Beethoven from Igor Levit and Xiaohan Wang. '... most of what this CD has to offer is top notch ...'
Ensemble. Cancel Culture and a Cryptic Message - Adam J Sacks listens to the Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Classical music news. Obituary - Elijah Moshinsky (1946-2021)
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. Obituary - Fou Ts'ong (1934-2020)
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 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 - 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. Magic and Mystery - Gerald Fenech listens to music for guitar and orchestra played by Junhong Kuang, Darrell Ang and the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice. 'An attractive assortment of guitar music from both sides of the Atlantic, marvellously executed and recorded, with some well researched notes thrown in for good measure.'
Classical music news - Gabrielle Després - Nineteen-year-old Canadian-born violinist Gabrielle Després wins the thirty-fifth Irving M Klein String Competition
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.'
Classical music news - Klein String Competition - One of America's top string competitions goes digital
Classical music news - March 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. Special Moments - Adam J Sacks provides a Hong Kong snapshot on the classical music world
Ensemble. Contemporary Premieres - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences three new operas in Rome
Ensemble. A Compelling New Format? - Adam J Sacks reports on two recent dance performances in Hong Kong which potentially reimagine the role of classical music in contemporary settings
Classical music news. Obituary - Chou Wen-chung (1923-2019)
Astonishing Control - Mike Wheeler experiences a completely transfixed audience at Chinese-born pianist Ji Liu's recital of music by Stephen Hough, Debussy, Ji Liu, Beethoven, York Bowen and Stravinsky
Ensemble. Alternative Energy - San Diego Symphony's new music director Rafael Payare conducts music by Mason Bates and Gustav Mahler, heard by Ron Bierman
Ensemble. Germanic Gravitas? - Adam J Sacks marks the opening of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's new season
Ensemble. A Star is Born - Giuseppe Pennisi is impressed by Enkeleda Kamani as Gilda in Verdi's 'Rigoletto' at La Scala, Milan
CD Spotlight. Sound Pallette from Hong Kong - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music by members of the Hong Kong Composers' Guild
Ensemble. Three Operas in Three Different Styles - Anett Fodor reports from Miskolc on La bohème, The Golden Dragon, Duke Bluebeard's Castle and a symphonic work by Scriabin
Classical music news. Chagall Quartet Tour - The Chagall String Quartet from Italy will tour China in October 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.'
Vital Work - Margaret Fingerhut's UK piano recital tour raising awareness of the needs of refugees, recommended by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Clear Success - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to contemporary music in a baroque setting
Classical music news. Rosalie Coopman - Brixworth Music Festival announces the winner of its International Competition for Women Composers
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.'
CD Spotlight. Deeply Felt - New music for piano and Chinese folk instruments, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. '... quietly expansive and evocative ...'
Ensemble. Very Human - Carlo Boccadoro's chamber opera 'Shi', based on Matteo Ricci's Jesuit mission in China, impresses Giuseppe Pennisi
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.'
Elegantly Presented - Mike Wheeler listens to pianist Ji Liu
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 ...'
CD Spotlight. Novel Soundscapes - Music by Xiaogang Ye, enjoyed by Geoff Pearce. '... superbly directed and played ...'
CD Spotlight. Wholehearted Enjoyment - Chinese recorder concerti, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... a treat awaits you.'
Ensemble. Turandot for Children - Giuseppe Pennisi investigates a Puccini production with one hundred and fifty performances in twelve months
Ensemble. An Asian Fairytale - Puccini's 'Turandot' live in HD from New York, enjoyed by Maria Nockin
CD Spotlight. Worth Acquiring - Bridge Chamber Virtuosi, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'From start to finish, an exhilarating recording.'
Astounding Contributions - Larry Sitsky at Eighty, by Endre Anaru
CD Spotlight. Scintillating Performances - Asian music for string quartet impresses Howard Smith. '... an exemplary, highly recommendable release.'
CD Spotlight. Divertingly Arranged - Music from China and the USA, heard by Howard Smith. '... less conclusive ...'
Ensemble. A Turning Point - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the 2013 Torre del Lago Festival for a new international production of 'Tosca' and a performance of 'Rigoletto' with young singers
Ensemble. Something more Exotic - Camels on the Silk Road, experienced by Roderic Dunnett
Ensemble. Informative and Exhilarating - Chamber and instrumental music from China and elsewhere, heard by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Finely Judged - Chinese pianist Di Xiao, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. An Elegant Staging - Chinese National Opera's 'Turandot' on tour, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. The Flame of Music - Malcolm Troup reports on new arrivals from China and Lithuania at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Festival in London
Delicacy and Clarity - Bill Newman listens to young Chinese pianist Jianing Kong
DVD Spotlight. Curiously Uninvolved - Thibault Cauvin's travels in China, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a catalogue of missed opportunities.'
Ensemble. An Interesting Ambience - Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
DVD Spotlight. Highly Intriguing - The Vienna Boys Choir in the Far East, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. '... a refreshingly different portrait of this hugely versatile group ...'
Turning Gravity into Grace - Malcolm Troup has three encounters with the sublime
Ensemble. Asian Aid - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the 2011 Puccini Festival
Ensemble. Achingly Beautiful - Vivaldi's 'La verità in cimento' at Garsington Opera, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett
CD Spotlight. Distinct Insights - Dejan Lazic plays Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... a crisp, vernal, excellently deliniated performance ...'
Ensemble. High Standards - Bill Newman listens to various artists at London's Wigmore Hall
Emphasis on Personalities - John Adams' 'Nixon in China', reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. A Smooth Delivery - Maria Nockin was at San Diego for Puccini's 'Turandot'
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
CD Spotlight. Finely Displayed - Alfred Brendel plays Liszt, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'Michael Gielen backs Brendel's eloquence with unobtrusive skill.'
CD Spotlight. An Appropriate Memorial - Songs by Moeran, Warlock and Geoffrey Stern, heard by Patric Standford. '... a well balanced programme and clean, clear studio performances ...'
Performances to Remember - Maria Nockin looks forward to San Diego Opera's 2011 season
An Interdisciplinary Field - Two contemporary music festivals in Rome, described by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. An Interesting Experience - Music by Alice Ping Yee Ho, heard by Patric Standford. '... musically and technically impressive ...'
CD Spotlight. Praise and Attention - Romabarocca Ensemble plays Carlo Rainaldi, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... they will go far in the rediscovery of Baroque music.'
Ensemble. Orchestral Firepower - Lawrence Budmen sends his final report from the 2010 Tanglewood Festival
Ensemble. Dramatic Strength - The 'Glory of God' through three Verdi operas at the Sferisterio Festival 2010, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Impeccable Standards - Bill Newman's pick of June and July concerts at London's Wigmore Hall
Ensemble. Splendid Ideas - Stravinsky's 'Le Rossignol' impresses Giuseppe Pennisi
DVD Spotlight. A Glorious Time - Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen', recommended by Robert Anderson. '... tender expression and all requisite vim.'
Ensemble. An Ideal Balance - An evening with the Northern Sinfonia and friends delights Mike Wheeler
Thoroughly Impressed - Maria Nockin talks to baritone Alan Opie, who is about to sing Germont for San Diego Opera
Ensemble. Highly-Charged - Joyce Yang, Edo de Waart and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, reviewed by Rebecca Schmid
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. Splendidly Imaginative - Julian Jacobson and Meng Yang Pan celebrate Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, enjoyed by Mary Isaac
CD Spotlight. A Tactile Rhetoric - 'Last Cicada Singing' by Christopher Roberts, contemplated by Malcolm Tattersall. '... gesture becomes music ...'
CD Spotlight. Insistent Patterns - Music by Yuanlin Chen, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... marvelous textures ...'
Ensemble. Excellent Singing - Handel and Rossini from Los Angeles Opera impress Maria Nockin
Ask Alice - Saying goodbye to Fiori, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. A Magical Week - Maria Nockin reports from Santa Fe
Ask Alice - On rites of passage, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. A Magisterial Presence - William Christie conducts Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen', reviewed by Robert Hugill
A Useful Survey - Thomas May's 'The John Adams Reader', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Extrovert Optimism - Piano music by Benjamin Lees, recommended by Patric Standford. '... a pleasant surprise ...'
Ensemble. Ringing Intensity - 'Madama Butterfly' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Music Lessons - Cleo Huang describes the unusual way in which music helped her to cope with her life
CD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - Boston String Quartet's 'Xibus', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'What all this signifies is not at all clear.'
Ensemble. Sovereign Purity - Bach, Mozart and Beethoven from the Vector Wellington Orchestra, reported by Howard Smith
Profile. Expressing the Universe - Gillian Wills talks to conductor Muhai Tang
CD Spotlight. Exuberant Work - Music for violin and piano by Ma Sicong, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... thoroughly enjoyable ...'
Rui dos Reis - Jennifer Paull interviews and investigates the Portuguese composer-pianist
Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh's adventures in China ...
Ensemble. Much to Contemplate - New ideas at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Opera at the Movies - Maria Nockin experiences Tan Dun's 'The First Emperor'
Ensemble. Zip and Sparkle? - The Munich Symphony Orchestra on tour, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Transcendental Universality - Celebrating London's multi-ethnic pianism in the elect hands of Ivan Kiwuwa, Mishka Momen and Wu Qian, by Malcolm Troup
CD Spotlight. Varied Influences - Music from Indiana University Southeast, enjoyed by Patric Standford. '... a superb addition to any collection.'
Ensemble. A Chinese Wunderkind - Nine-year-old Niu Niu's Wigmore Hall début, admired by Malcolm Troup
Ensemble. An Oft Told Tale - Santa Fe Opera's 'Cendrillon', praised by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Flair and Fidelity - A concert by the Aroha String Quartet, enjoyed by Howard Smith
Ensemble. A Pianistic Phenomenon - Malcolm Troup was at Qian Wu's recent London South Bank recital
DVD Spotlight. Terrifying Intensity - Puccini's 'Turandot', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... brimful of imagination ...'
Ensemble. Delicate confidence - Kelly Ferjutz was at the Cleveland International Piano Competition
Timings - thoughts about the quirkiness of some of music's hidden secrets - The Terminology of Respect, by Jennifer Paull
Editor's Inbox - More readers' letters
Ensemble. Admirably involving - Tau Wey at the 2004 Regent Hall Summer Festival, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Changing the world - Lang Lang displays musical excellence at the Rheingau Music Festival, reviewed by Tess Crebbin
Ensemble. An exciting career ahead - Manus Carey listens to Chinese pianist Wu Qian
Ask Alice - On string quartets, advertising, cellists and fame, with classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh
Ask Alice - Another eye-opening selection from classical music's agony aunt, Alice McVeigh
Editor's inbox - stand up and be counted
CD Spotlight. Graceful panache - Listening to Dvorák arrangements with Robert Anderson. '... effective and highly accomplished.'
CD Spotlight. Constantly thrilling - Frederic Chiu plays Liszt, and Robert Anderson listens. '... magical sonorities and supersonic speeds ...'
Reminiscent retrospectives - Trails and Euros, with Jennifer Paull
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
CD Spotlight - Collecting material. '... a mélée of romantic and selective modern language ...' Utilising the unusual, with Basil Ramsey
On watch at the Van Cliburn Competition - with John Bell Young (continued from Thursday)
On watch at the Van Cliburn Competition - with John Bell Young
Site seeing - more 2000 top websites, with Keith Bramich
Berlin Festival Diary - Five weeks condensed into three, with Bill Newman (concluded from last week)