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CENTRAL ENGLAND: Mike Wheeler's concert reviews from Nottingham and Derbyshire feature high profile artists on the UK circuit - often quite early on their tours.
British author and music critic Malcolm MacDonald (also known as Calum MacDonald for his journalistic contributions, but not to be confused with the composer Malcolm MacDonald) was born at Nairn in Scotland on 26 February 1948 and educated in Edinburgh and Cambridge.
MacDonald lived in England from 1971 until his death on 27 May 2014 at Leckhampton Hospice in Cheltenham.
He's known for his books on John Foulds, Edgard Varèse, Ronald Stevenson and Havergal Brian. He also wrote books about Brahms and Schoenberg, and contributed to symposia on Alan Bush, Erik Bergman and Bernard Stevens. He compiled catalogues of the music of John Foulds (and was instrumental in reviving interest in Foulds' music), Shostakovich, Luigi Dallapiccola and Antal Doráti.
He contributed to many encyclopaedias, including New Grove, was editor of the journal Tempo until December 2013 and contributed to many other music journals and magazines, including International Record Review and BBC Music Magazine.
MacDonald also composed, mostly piano pieces and songs, and edited and orchestrated part of Roberto Gerhard's ballet Soirées de Barcelone (which was subsequently performed and broadcast by the BBC Philharmonic).
Ensemble. Energising Freshness and Exuberance - Malcolm Miller listens to string quartets by three émigré Austrian-born composers
A Golden Treasury - Havergal Brian on European and American music, read by Patric Standford
CD Spotlight. Strength and Lyricism - Chamber music by Hugh Wood, heard by Patric Standford. '... taut stamina.'
CD Spotlight. Fascinating Rarities - Taneyev string trios, heard by Julian Jacobson. '... a performance of real commitment and assurance ...'
Ensemble. A Brilliant Idea - A Bernard Stevens celebration at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. A Thrilling Experience - Kevin Bowyer plays Alkan, reviewed by Alistair Hinton. '... flawless technique and missionary commitment ...'
CD Spotlight. A Heady Mix - Havergal Brian's Symphonies 4 and 12, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... Adrian Leaper marshals his enormous forces well ...'