On 14 May 1885 in Breslau was born the German conductor and composer Otto Klemperer. Early study with Pfitzner was followed by opera conducting around Germany, and association with Mahler in preparation for the 8th Symphony. He suffered partial paralysis in 1939. Despite this handicap he entered an intense period of conducting post-war for both opera house and concert hall. He died on 6 July 1973 in Zurich.
CD Spotlight. Finely Judged - Brahms and Schumann piano quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. 'This is music-making both sensitive and relaxed.'
Masks - Jennifer Paull continues her investigation of musical and theatrical masks
Masks - Jennifer Paull investigates a layering of musical and theatrical masks, with the omnipresent eerie reminder of the gas mask
CD Spotlight. A Forthright Approach - J S Bach's St Matthew Passion, recommended by Howard Smith. '... the Ex Cathedra performance is a triumph.'
Ensemble. Brisk Ebullience - Lawrence Budmen sends a second report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival