A selection of 'folk music' articles

Classical music news - March 2023 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Ensemble. Fine-tuning Still to be Done - Folk-songs collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Pianist who Deserves Attention - Geoff Pearce enjoys listening to Can Çakmur. '... a stellar performance by this fine young pianist.'

CD Spotlight. Utterly Beautiful - Nadejda Vlaeva plays piano music by Bulgarian composer Pancho Vladigerov, delighting Roderic Dunnett. '... a notably original disc ... well worth exploring.'

CD Spotlight. Vaughan Williams and English Folk Songs - Simon Farrugia recommends Albion Records' astonishing new recording. 'The freshness of sound presented in this album gives a new dimension to Piazzolla's music ...'

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

Ensemble. A Delightful Addition to Christmas - Bryn Terfel in Wales, the latest Met Stars live in concert, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Profile. Beautiful Things - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė talks to Croatian-American musician and peace activist Nenad Bach, who finds the power of music undeniable, like the power of love

Classical music news - If The Night Grows Dark - Bright Shiny Things releases soprano Camille Zamora's survey of four centuries of Spanish song

CD Spotlight. Masterly Setting - Paul Sarcich listens to traditional Croatian song plus jazz-rock inflected arrangements. 'The recording of the women is very clear and detailed, the big band has some balance problems ...'

Portraits. Zoltán Kodály: Part II - by Anett Fodor

Portraits. Zoltán Kodály: Part I - From the Academy to His First Success, by Anett Fodor

Dvořák and Brahms - George Colerick explores the folk music and other connections between Antonín Dvořák and his friend Johannes Brahms

Profile. Bartók: The Inspired Collector - Anett Fodor discusses the Hungarian composer's love of both folk music and nature

CD Spotlight. A Simpler Age - Folk songs from the Red River Valley, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'The performances and arrangements are unpretentious ...'

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Carefree - Czech Christmas Carols, enjoyed by Keith Bramich. '... the tunes, settings and performances are quite beautiful.'

Ensemble. Haunting Effect - Spanish and Catalan music from Maria Camahort and friends, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Euro Folk Champions - The Apollo Chamber Players, impress Howard Smith. '... this scantily adorned traditional music derives straight from the heartbeat of regions in Southern, Eastern, and Central Europe.'

The Magic of Performance - Part II - On the Elusive Nature of the Nationalist Spirit in Music, by Andrew Schartmann

DVD Spotlight. Brilliant - Music from Tyneside and beyond, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a rich cavalcade of internationally known and local singers ...'

CD Spotlight. Truly American - Spirituals, hymns and folk music, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... I have nothing but praise for the whole enterprise.'

CD Spotlight. Subtly Harmonized - Moeran solo folksong arrangements delight Patric Standford. '... a delightful exploration of the sensitive and creative treatment of folksongs ...'

CD Spotlight. Warmly Spontaneous - Ravel songs, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... utter conviction ...'

Ensemble. The Wizard from Oz - David Arditti attends a celebration for the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Percy Grainger

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 ...'

CD Spotlight. An Invaluable Recording - The complete solo songs of E J Moeran, heard by Patric Standford. '... beautifully sung ...'

Ensemble. Highly Dramatic - The Wihan Quartet at Kings Place, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Exquisite Performance - Metropolitan Opera's live HD transmission of 'Boris Godunov', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Matchless Artistry - The Wihan Quartet plays Dvorák, recommended by Howard Smith. '... the finest of bravura chamber performances.'

CD Spotlight. Sheer Delight - Table music by Biber, recommended by Patric Standford. '... a superb and sensitive performance ...'

Wondrously Expansive - Ronan Magill's recital at London's Wigmore Hall impresses Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Cosmic Distance - Choral music from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, recommended by George Balcombe. '... such clarity ...'

CD Spotlight. A Must-have - Piano music by Federico Mompou, recommended by Natalie Artemas-Polak. 'Haskell Small's contemplative approach admirably suits these pieces ...'

Ensemble. An Erotic 'Tannhäuser' in Bollywood - Giuseppe Pennisi has mixed feelings about La Scala's new Wagnerian production

CD Spotlight. Fifty Years - Celebrating Lyrita's recordings of British music, by George Balcombe. '... a meticulous reproduction of orchestral sound ...'

CD Spotlight. Sacrificing the 'unmodern' - Music by Julius Röntgen and Per Nørgård, heard by George Balcombe. 'How could any audience resist ... ?'

Ensemble. Sonic Imagination - Mike Wheeler listens to Horses Brawl

Ensemble. Refreshing Surprises - A concert in London by the Zemel Choir, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Music for Musicians Only? - The public turns a deaf ear to improvised music. As for classical music, Jan Dahlstedt claims that having abandoned improvisation, classical music entered a sidetrack from which it has never escaped, thus badly stifling creative progress. If he is guilty of heresy or may have a point, read on and judge for yourself.

CD Spotlight. Perfection - Benjamin Britten folksong arrangements, recommended by Howard Smith. '... this release is worth several times it's weight in gold.'

CD Spotlight. Motet and Lauda - Cantica Symphonia sing sixteenth century motets, and impress George Balcombe. '... so gentle yet precise ...'

Record Box. An Independent Voice - Patric Standford listens to orchestral music by Ester Mägi

CD Spotlight. Unforced Miniatures - Balakirev and Russian folksong, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... to be applauded.'

Record box. Crystal clear heights - Andreas Scholl sings folksongs, reviewed by Tess Crebbin

Record box. Russian transcriptions - Basil Ramsey listens to music from the Jewish Folk Music Society

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