A selection of 'Romania' articles

Classical music news - February 2024 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

Spotlight. Sensitively Beautiful - Gerald Fenech recommends two albums from Signum Classics, marking this year's Puccini anniversary. '... an irresistible programme full of shimmering melodies ...'

The Political Symphony - Jeffrey Neil asks some searching questions about classical music and protest

Spotlight. East meets West - Geoff Pearce enjoys music from Türkiye and its neighbouring countries. 'Immediately one is struck by the sensitivity, technical proficiency and joy of these two performers, flautist Nicole Esposito and harpist Çağatay Akyol.'

Spotlight. The Wild and the Mild - Gerald Fenech finds the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra and conductor John Axelrod's new recording of contrasting versions of Robert Schumann's Symphony No 4 in D minor preciously invaluable. 'Performances, sound quality and presentation are a credit to the Orchid Classics label.'

Spreading Light and Making Darkness Vanish - Luiza Catrinel Marinescu remembers her classmate, the Romanian pianist Eugen Alcalay and explores the pianist's mother's book 'Rhapsody in black and white with Leonard Bernstein'

Ensemble. A Formidable Creation - Roderic Dunnett experiences the first performance of the opera 'Anna' by English composer David Matthews

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

Classical music news. August 2023 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our August 2023 one hour video newsletter - The Creative Spark

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

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

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A hundred not out

CD Spotlight. An Intriguing Snapshot - Keith Bramich listens to piano music by Robert Matthew-Walker. 'Mark Bebbington ... is exemplary here, bringing out all the contrasts and mood changes ...'

CD Spotlight. An Impressive Calling Card - Eight new North American works for solo cello and orchestra impress Paul Sarcich. 'Recording and orchestral playing are first rate, so the composers have been well served.'

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - The Departed

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

CD Spotlight. Caruso 150 - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Urania Records' new Caruso tribute album. 'One of the first major singing talents to be commercially recorded ...'

Ensemble. A Meditation on Human Fragility - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a special performance in Rome of Verdi's Requiem

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

Ensemble. Breathtaking Energy and Commitment - Mike Wheeler listens to Filarmonica Braşov

Violinist, Teacher & Storyteller - Anett Fodor presents two amusing anecdotes which Carl Flesch shared with the readers of Hungarian newspapers

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. A Magnificent and Powerful Recording - Geoff Pearce listens to Augustin Hadelich. '... an impressive technique and tone ...'

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

Classical music news - June 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

CD Spotlight. A Fresh Rendering - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to solo violin sonatas by Eugène Ysaÿe, played by Anca Vasile Caraman. '... a gem which should be on the shelves of all those interested in the music of the early decades of the twentieth century ...'

CD Spotlight. Passion, Intensity and Verve - Gerald Fenech listens to Giordano's 'Siberia'. '... full of emotional warmth and heartfelt fidelity.'

Classical music news - April 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month

CD Spotlight. Unjustly Neglected - Geoff Pearce listens to Enescu chamber music. '... a very fine recording ...'

CD Spotlight. Uncloaking a Sonic Universe - John Dante Prevedini listens to Rebeca Omordia's album 'African Pianism'. '... a compact, balanced and vital gateway to the work of African composers in the Western classical tradition ...'

CD Spotlight. Posthumous Idolisation - Gerald Fenech begs you to buy Warner Classics' box set of recordings by Romanian violinist Johanna Martzy. '... legendary renditions full of mesmerizing violin playing ...'

Classical music news - January 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost this month

CD Spotlight. New Facets of Vital Importance - Little-known music by George Enescu, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Passionate and exciting performances complement an invaluable addition to the Enescu discography.'

Classical music news - December 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost last month

Ensemble. Hugely Enjoyable - Bernstein, Marsalis and Musorgsky from Nicola Benedetti, Cristian Măcelaru and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Tantalising Appeal - Mike Wheeler listens to the strings of Sinfonia Viva

CD Spotlight. Every Album an Event in Itself - Gerald Fenech listens to soprano Júlia Várady's recordings for Orfeo International. '... in disc after disc one can revel in all the beauty of her characterization ...'

Classical music news. Training in Vienna - The second group of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Academy students is beginning its training

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

Ensemble. Whatever He's On, I Want Some - Mike Wheeler listens to Kathryn Stott's Buxton recital

Ensemble. Three Days in Ravenna - Giuseppe Pennisi samples Northern Italy's high profile and wide-ranging arts festival

Ensemble. Three Divas - Maria Nockin reviews a streamed recital from Versailles, given by Ailyn Pérez, Nadine Sierra, Isabel Leonard, Vlad Iftinca and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

Ensemble. In the Easter Egg - Giuseppe Pennisi takes a critical look at two April 2021 performances of Verdi's 'La Traviata'

CD Spotlight. A Double Rescue - Meyerbeer's little-known opera 'Romilda e Costanza', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... a rescue opera which is worth saving from oblivion.'

CD Spotlight. An Unusual Debut - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music by Ravel, James Francis Brown and Liana Alexandra, performed by Andrea Oliva and the Hemisphaeria Trio. '... an innovative program by a very promising ensemble.'

Ensemble. Special Moments - Adam J Sacks provides a Hong Kong snapshot on the classical music world

Ensemble. An Autumn Trilogy - 'Norma', 'Aida' and 'Carmen' in Ravenna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Portraits. Zoltán Kodály: Part II - by Anett Fodor

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

Ensemble. Myths and Modernity - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his first report from the 2019 Salzburg Festival

Ensemble. Sex and Power in Pesaro - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a new production of 'Semiramide' at the Rossini Opera Festival

Ensemble. A Different 'Aida' - Denis Krief's new production in Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Repertory 'Tosca' - Giuseppe Pennisi considers Puccini's opera as a real orchestral masterpiece

Ensemble. In Full Swing - Bellini's 'La Straniera' at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

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

Ensemble. A Timeless Composition - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to interweaved movements from Beethoven and Ligeti, played by Herbert Schuch

CD Spotlight. Improvisatory Freedom - Gerald Fenech listens to pianist Myron Romanul. 'Romanul's playing brims with an expressive power that generates its own excitement and self-belief ...'

Ensemble. Deceptively Undemonstrative - Mike Wheeler listens to Canadian/Romanian pianist Teo Gheorghiu

CD Spotlight. Extending the Repertoire - Anett Fodor listens to Hungarian viola player Vidor Nagy. 'The mellifluous sound, the doleful melody, as well as Vidor Nagy's sensitive performance convince the listener that both the artist and instrument are worthy of recognition.'

CD Spotlight. Scuttling Crabs - Music for vibraphone and wind quintet, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'There is some great vibraphone and bassoon work here ...'

Ensemble. Concerts in Bucharest - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Russian orchestral music at the George Enescu Festival

Ensemble. Philosophy and Theology - Paul Hindemith's 'Mathis der Maler' at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Most Impressive - Mozart, Enescu, Stravinsky and Brahms from Savitri Grier and Richard Uttley, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Mirrors of Time - Special concerts in Rome, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Lucid and Commanding - Bartók piano music, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'American pianist Terry Eder despatches this difficult repertoire with great rhythmic vitality and expressive exuberance ...'

Ensemble. A High Level - German operas at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Les Dissonances - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Bucharest

CD Spotlight. Approachable Pieces - Enescu and Bartók, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Laura Buruiana triumphs in what is ultimately an exacting work.'

Ensemble. Oversized Lieder - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Schoenberg in Bucharest

Ensemble. Trends and Tendencies - Contemporary music at the Enescu Festival, discussed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Gripping and Engrossing - 'Otello' in an immigration camp at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Gutsy Performances - Enescu cello sonatas, heard by Howard Smith. '... perfectly rounded and the intonation irreproachable.'

CD Spotlight. Dazzling Tracks - Dinu Lipatti, heard by Joanne Chang. '... skillfully and brilliantly carried out.'

DVD Spotlight. Balm to the Soul - Anton Bruckner's Symphony No 7, savoured by Robert Anderson. 'Celibidache is in no hurry ...'

CD Spotlight. Late Romanticism - Trio Brancusi plays Enescu, welcomed by Bill Newman. 'The performances are all first rate ...'

CD Spotlight. Striking Motifs - Eugene Alcalay plays Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Alcalay characterises this music admirably.'

CD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - Modern music for wind instruments, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... decent production values.'

Uncommon Joy - Florian Mitrea at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields, heard by Malcolm Troup

Ensemble. Music and the Pride of a Nation - Giuseppe Pennisi takes a glimpse at the Enescu Festival's Jubilee programme

Turning Gravity into Grace - Malcolm Troup has three encounters with the sublime

Ensemble. Exotic Soundscapes - Two London concerts featuring music from the opera to the orient, attended by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Zip and Sparkle - Alexandra Dariescu plays Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin and Constantin Silvestri, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Gripping Intensity - Verdi's 'Macbeth' at New Zealand Opera impresses Howard Smith

CD Spotlight. Praise and Attention - Romabarocca Ensemble plays Carlo Rainaldi, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... they will go far in the rediscovery of Baroque music.'

CD Spotlight. Quite Magical - Marin Alsop conducts Dvorák Symphonies, enjoyed by Howard Smith. 'The Baltimores' finale sings and blazes with equal compulsion ...'

Ensemble. Great Fun - The Hallé Orchestra ends Nottingham's orchestral season, heard by Mike Wheeler

Stimulating Fare - Eugene Alcalay plays Bartók, Dutilleux and Beethoven, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. A Perfect Falstaff - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Vienna State Opera

Ensemble. Fine Drama - Chelsea Opera Group's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. A Spectral Atmosphere - Murray McLachlan plays music by Shostakovich and friends, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an outright triumph for the label and for McLachlan.'

Ensemble. Invigorating Performance - Sinfonia Viva plays Judith Weir, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Highly Challenging - Music for unaccompanied violin, heard by Howard Smith. '... searching performance ...'

DVD Spotlight. Beyond Beauty - A film about Sergiu Celibidache, seen by Ioana Osoianu. 'There are no compromises.'

DVD Spotlight. Perfectly Cast - The Sleeping Beauty, recommended by Howard Smith. '... utterly enchanting ...'

Record Box. Richness of Colour - Stokowski conducts Wagner, Enescu, Debussy and Stravinsky, enjoyed by Robert Anderson

Old and New Worlds - Ioana Osoianu talks to Keith Bramich about her life in the East and West

Ensemble. Primal Energy - Barenboim and the Vienna Philharmonic play Bartók, Kodály, Enescu and Ligeti

Temperament and Imagination - Alberto Portugheis enjoys a recital by the Romanian-American pianist Eugene Alcalay

CD Spotlight. Undivided Artistry - Remus Azoitei plays Enescu, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a truly commanding performance.'

Ensemble. Highly Dramatic - Nelly Miricioiu in Bellini's 'Beatrice di Tenda', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Intelligent and Cogent - Julian Jacobson attended the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Celebrity Festival

Ensemble. Piano meets Sitar - Malcolm Miller at a CD launch of Peter Feuchtwanger's exotic piano music

CD Spotlight. Touching Hearts - Yale Strom's 'Café Jew Zoo', reviewed by Ioana Osoianu. '... beautifully sung by Elizabeth Schwartz.'

CD Spotlight. Mesmerizing stuff - Alexander Balanescu pays homage to Romanian folk singer Maria Tanase, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... exquisitely accomplished.'

Ensemble. Symphonic structure - The Hallé Orchestra plays Vaughan Williams in Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Contrasting pianists - by Bill Newman

CD Spotlight. A prodigious composer - Orchestral music by Meyer Kupferman, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... an extrovert, highly charged composer with a vivid sonic imagination and a sure skill in orchestration.'

Ensemble. Rebel to rebel - Beethoven, Berg and others in Cleveland and New York, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz

CD Spotlight. Festive mood - Carols for brass, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz. '... simply superb.'

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - All-round musical greatness

Ensemble. Poetic Chopin - Lawrence Budmen enjoyed the Seventh Miami International Piano Festival Discovery Series

Ensemble. Mystic chanting - Elica Lupus-Popescu journeys to hear the lost pipers of Iasi

Ensemble. Awesome technique - Lawrence Budmen listens to Romanian pianist Mihaela Ursuleasa

CD Spotlight. Instant impact - Khachaturian's Violin Concerto, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... above praise.'

CD Spotlight. Creative legacy - Luiza Borac plays Enescu, appreciated by Patric Standford. '... a worthy ambassador for a genius ...'

CD Spotlight. Passionate enthusiasm - The orchestral music of Meyer Kupferman, discovered by Patric Standford. '... a sustained quality that is Kupferman's own, widely spread and generous, emotionally extrovert ...'

Record box. Always active - Composer at work, by Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight. Subtlety of touch - Luiza Borac plays Schumann and Robert Anderson listens

Profile. Life in the old tiger - In the second of two articles about the Chisinau National Opera, Moldovan tenor Mihai Muntean talks to Roderic Dunnett

Site seeing - Ludwig's torso ... another visit to the world of music websites, with Keith Bramich

Ensemble - Unlikely bedfellows? Malcolm Miller attends the UK première of a new work for string quartet and percussion

Record box - Period reflections. Grechaninov's symphonies, with Basil Ramsey

Site seeing - Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001), and more top websites

Berlin Festival Diary - Five weeks condensed into three, with Bill Newman (continued from last week)

Planning your collection - Luiza Borac -