MET STARS: From 2002 until 2021 the late Maria Nockin reported from Arizona, mostly on live opera productions.
VIDEO PODCAST: Find out about composers from unusual places, including Gerard Schurmann, Giya Kancheli, Nazib Zhiganov and Nodar Gabunia, about singing in cars, and meet Jim Hutton from the RLPO and some of our regular contributors.
Ensemble. Sheer Originality - Mike Wheeler is engrossed by Walton, Bliss and Holst from Guy Johnston, Andrew Manze and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney - Learning to Fly
Ensemble. Impressively Sung - Ron Bierman listens to a song recital by Andrea Carroll and Joshua Guerrero, accompanied by Stephen Hopkins
Spotlight. Cinematic Imagery - Gerald Fenech warmly recommends film music by John Williams, played by the Saito Kinen Orchestra. 'Strongly recommended.'
Ensemble. 'De-Screening' - Jeffrey Neil investigates the marvellous score for the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz'
Spotlight. Layers of the Programmatic - John Dante Prevedini listens to Gustav Hoyer's 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. '... a sensitively crafted release ...'
Classical music news - Gerard Schurmann Centenary Video - A new video has been published to mark the centenary of the British composer's birth
Ensemble. Lots to Enjoy - Mike Wheeler was at Derby Concert Orchestra's Christmas Concert
Spotlight. An Extraordinary Tribute - Gerald Fenech recommends the soundtrack album of 'Maestro', the new film about Leonard Bernstein. '... brilliant sound and attractive presentation.'
Spotlight. A Glorious Listening Experience - Seven orchestral works by Camille Saint-Saëns, warmly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... a thrilling and vibrant journey of melodic invention.'
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
Spotlight. Imaginative and Colourful - Gerald Fenech finds the latest in Chandos Records' series of film music mouth-watering. 'Performances are consistently alive, vibrant and rhythmically exciting, and Marco Albonetti's virtuosity makes the music sound even more passionate and intense.'
Classical music news - A Bridge Between Genres - Beethovenfest Bonn features the first appearance of Israeli-American conductor Yoel Gamzou's new kind of orchestra, bridging genres and playing 50% first performances
Classical music news. Obituary - Carl Davis (1936-2023)
CD Spotlight. A Trailblazer of Classical Expression - Anett Fodor encourages music enthusiasts to experience 'Il Boemo - The Czech'. '... a gateway, unveiling hidden treasures from a bygone era.'
CD Spotlight. Lush Orchestrations - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by British composer Philip Lane. '... so much to enjoy.'
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
CD Spotlight. A Spectacular Release - Gerald Fenech listens to film music played by John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London. '... an absolutely rewarding hour ...'
CD Spotlight. Kaleidoscopic Variety - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Charles Koechlin. '... a near uncontrollable energy that almost brings Chaplin and Co back to life again.'
Classical music news - January 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost this month
CD Spotlight. Hugely Influential - Music by Richard Addinsell, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... absolutely enthralling, revelatory and consistently vibrant.'
CD Spotlight. Great Entertainment - SOMM Recordings' second volume of film music, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Iain Sutherland and his Promenade players display no want of energy and each track is tackled with effervescence and enthusiasm, making the music sound even more exciting than it was thought to be.'
Classical music news - November 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
CD Spotlight. Highly Enjoyable - Gerald Fenech listens to film music played by Iain Sutherland and the Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra. '... brought to light with the utmost conviction.'
Classical music news. Obituary - Ennio Morricone (1928-2020)
CD Spotlight. High Praise - Gerald Fenech listens to film music by Gerard Schurmann. 'Notes and sound are superb. A must for film addicts.'
Classical music news. Obituary - Barrington Pheloung (1954-2019)
Ensemble. A Double Bridge - Giuseppe Pennisi attends 'Sarang è Amore' at the Korean Cultural Institute in Rome
Classical music news. Obituary - Étienne Perruchon (1958-2019)
CD Spotlight. Absolutely unmissable - Prokofiev's 'Ivan the Terrible', recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... a blockbuster of an issue which should delight both film score collectors and Prokofiev admirers in equal measure.'
CD Spotlight. Alternative Worlds - Jewish cabaret music surprises Gerald Fenech. '... those who decide to take the plunge will be rewarded with riches aplenty.'
CD Spotlight. The OK Guys - Korngold's 'The Adventures of Robin Hood', impresses the late Howard Smith. 'The Moscow players appear right at home with this rousing score ...'
Ensemble. Music on the Move - Derby Concert Orchestra at Christmas, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
An Invaluable Book - Gergely Hubai's 'Torn Music: Rejected film scores, a selected history', recommended by Patric Standford
Ensemble. A Seasonal Nod - Derby Concert Orchestra's Christmas concert, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Splendid Violinist - Peter Fisher's 'Music from the Movies', enjoyed by Bill Newman
Strongly Stated and Idiosyncratic - 'Composing in Words: William Alwyn on his Art', read by Patric Standford
Ensemble. Verve and Flair - Derby Concert Orchestra plays film music, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight - Magical stuff. '... Gamba is remarkably successful ...' The film music of Alan Rawsthorne, with Roderic Dunnett