RESOUNDING ECHOES: From August 2022, Robert McCarney's regular series features little-known twentieth century classical composers.
Refers to either people or things from Poland, or (when beginning with a lower-case p) to the process of creating a smooth, shiny surface - used sometimes in music writing to describe smooth, well-rehearsed performances.
Ensemble. Immense Promise - Malcolm Miller reports on the recent Israeli and Bloch music competitions
Ensemble. Too Clever by Half - A very British version of Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' returns to Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. An Eclectic Mix - Mieczyslaw Weinberg's 'The Portrait' at Opera North, experienced by Mike Wheeler
An Ever-Active Hive - Robert Anderson examines the latest score from Acuta Music
CD Spotlight. A Noteworthy Introduction - Music by Stravinsky for violin and piano, heard by Howard Smith. '... refreshing naturalness ...'
Ensemble. Exquisite Performance - Metropolitan Opera's live HD transmission of 'Boris Godunov', enjoyed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Very Welcome - Robert Hugill experiences Stephen Oliver's 'Euridice'
CD Spotlight. A Wondrous Variety - Piano music by Chopin and Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Dominic Piers Smith survives not only intact but triumphant ...'
CD Spotlight. Spellbinding Artistry - Jonathan Plowright plays Chopin, recommended by Howard Smith. '... positively hair-raising.'
CD Spotlight. Full of Clarity - Baroque music in Poland, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... very fine interpretations ...'
Ensemble. Love's Eternal Empire - Music by Janácek and Suk impresses Bill Newman
Ensemble. The Quality of the Cooks - Verdi comic operas on stage, tasted by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Invigoratingly Natural - Van Beinum conducts Mahler, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a tad less frenetic ...'
CD Spotlight. Highly Challenging - Music for unaccompanied violin, heard by Howard Smith. '... searching performance ...'
Thank You Mama - Bill Newman talks to pianist Igor Tchetuev
Ensemble. Truly Enjoyable - Maria Nockin was at Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata'
Record Box. An Eloquent Interpretation - Choral music by Karol Szymanowski, enjoyed by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. World Class Chamber Music - Malcolm Troup on the recent BPSE chamber music masterclass and competition in London
Ensemble. A special treat - Maria Nockin enthuses over Ewa Podles' recent recital for San Diego Opera
Record box - Polished gems. Roderic Dunnett continues his occasional series on East European music with a visit to the Polish Royal Court
Bizarrely stirring - David Wilkins listens to the Polish State Opera of Wroclaw