MET STARS: From 2002 until 2021 the late Maria Nockin reported from Arizona, mostly on live opera productions.
Ensemble. From Sherwood to LA - Mike Wheeler is impressed with music by Carwithen, Kelly, Rachmaninov, Chaminade, Korngold and Sibelius from Clare Hammond, Anna-Maria Helsing and the BBC Concert Orchestra
Spotlight. An Enterprising Addition - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Karl Jenkins. '... the trump card of this issue must be Jess Gillam ...'
Ensemble. Meditating on Violence - Jeffrey Neil's perspective on the late Kaija Saariaho's opera 'Innocence'
Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney - Imaginary Concert No 2
Classical music news - Nathalie Stutzmann - The French conductor has signed a new exclusive recording agreement with Erato
Spotlight. Originality and Freshness - Geoff Pearce is impressed by Steve Elcock's Violin Concerto and Eighth Symphony. '... well-balanced and quite beautiful ...'
Classical music news. Who's gone where? - News about signups etc
Spotlight. Consistently Engaging - Gerald Fenech listens to two more volumes in Danacord's 'Thomas Jensen Legacy' series. '... Jensen in joyous mood ...'
Ensemble. Radically New for Western Audiences - Adam J Sacks reports from the Hong Kong Arts Festival
Spotlight. Absolute Brilliance - Gerald Fenech recommends Warner Classics' forty-two disc set of recordings by Paavo Berglund. '... a precious treasure-trove packed with musical diamonds that took twenty-seven years to complete.'
Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Rough winds do shake
Ensemble. Peak Intensity - Mike Wheeler listens to Dvořák, J S Bach, Dobrinka Tabakova and Sibelius from Jakob Koranyi, Tabita Berglund and the Hallé Orchestra
CD Spotlight. New and Refreshing - Geoff Pearce is impressed by the music of contemporary Swedish composer Britta Byström. 'There is a sincerity about this music that speaks directly to the soul.'
CD Spotlight. Very Humanistic - Geoff Pearce enjoys a Naxos set of orchestral music by Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén. 'This is a set to be savoured.'
CD Spotlight. A Dark Nordic Kingdom - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Verdi's 'Gustavo III' ('Un ballo in maschera'). '... a good recording to remember a much expected but somewhat disappointing performance.'
Ensemble. Paths of Excellence - Giuseppe Pennisi reports via live stream on the Ravenna Festival Mozart/Da Ponte Trilogy
Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Horses for Courses
CD Spotlight. Strong Utterances of Protest - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Allan Pettersson. '... this is far from easy music ...'
Classical music news. Winners, Projects, Cancellations - Items in the news
CD Spotlight. Exhilarating Performances - Orchestral music by Ludvig Norman, recommended with conviction by Gerald Fenech. '... rich in melody, colour and wide-ranging harmonies.'
Classical music news - June 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Classical music news - May 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
CD Spotlight. Magical Brilliance - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by Ravel. '... wonderfully detailed accounts that reveal all of Ravel's orchestral finesse and deft harmonic touches.'
CD Spotlight. An Operatic Oratorio - Attilio Ariosti's 'La Profezia d'Eliseo', recommended by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'The rendering is very good: ensemble and singers are Baroque specialists.'
Ensemble. Three Contemporary Ballets in Rome - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience for 'Herman Schmerman', 'Walking Mad' and 'From Afar', to music by Thom Willems, Maurice Ravel, Arvo Pärt and Ezio Bosso
CD Spotlight. Multiple Aesthetic References - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music by Alessandro Perini. '... an excellent reading ...'
CD Spotlight. All Done with Mirrors - Geoff Pearce listens to music involving the double bass by Britta Byström, Eduard Tubin, Jesper Nordin and Carin Malmlöf-Forssling. '... a fitting reflection of the work of this fine composer.'
CD Spotlight. Another Path to Modernism - John Dante Prevedini listens to an anthology of Swedish orchestral music. '... a rich expressiveness underneath the veil of subtlety and self-restraint.'
Ensemble. A Magical Production - Mike Wheeler reports on the Buxton Festival's first ever musical - Stephen Sondheim's 'A Little Night Music'
Ensemble. Fresh and Appealing - Mike Wheeler listens to the Françaix Wind Trio
CD Spotlight. Transcendental Studies - The music of English composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji from an Italian perspective, by Giuseppe Pennisi. 'On the two CDs, Fredrik Ullén demonstrates enthusiasm for Sorabji as well as high technical skills.'
Ensemble. In the Easter Egg - Giuseppe Pennisi takes a critical look at two April 2021 performances of Verdi's 'La Traviata'
CD Spotlight. The Dead in the Square - Allan Pettersson's Symphony No 12, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Christian Lindberg gives a colossal interpretation of this difficult score, where everybody involved is wholly engrossed in Pettersson's unique creation.'
Profile. A Philological Discovery - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about the seventeenth century Italian architect and global musician Carlo Rainaldi
Classical music news - May 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Classical music news - April 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost last month
Classical music news - March 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost last month
Classical music news - February 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost last month
CD Spotlight. Absolutely Riveting - Kent Nagano's recording of the 1869 version of Mussorgsky's 'Boris Godunov', reviewed by Gerald Fenech. 'Nagano's formidable insight is able to take the listener on a musical journey into the dark depths of the human soul. Painful, yes, but unmissable.'
Ensemble. Trade Secrets - Mike Wheeler listens to guitarist Craig Ogden and friends
Classical music news. Tapiola Sinfonietta - The Finnish Orchestra has received the 2019 Diapason d'Or for its disc of Saint-Saëns' Piano Concertos
Ensemble. Affectionate Complicity and Tensions - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Mozart's 'Idomeneo' in Rome
Ensemble. Magisterial Performance - Nina Stemme returns to Australia to sing Wagner, heard by David Mitchell
Glorifying Finnish History - On the birthday of Jean Sibelius, George Colerick discusses the Finnish composer and his music in the light of the politics of the time
CD Spotlight. Imaginative Touches - Rossini's 'Eduardo e Cristina', recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... sensitively dramatic singing, invigorating playing and some glowing conducting from Gianluigi Gelmetti ...'
CD Spotlight. Jollity Ultimately Triumphs - Orchestral music by Dmitri Kabalevsky, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'I am pleased to see this interesting disc, as it showcases an important composer from the Soviet era.'
Classical music news. Obituary - Sven-David Sandström (1942-2019)
CD Spotlight. Seldom Recorded - Music for horn and piano, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... two superb musicians enjoying themselves in music which is not well-known ...'
Ensemble. A Timeless Composition - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to interweaved movements from Beethoven and Ligeti, played by Herbert Schuch
Classical music news. Obituary - Michael Gielen (1927-2019)
CD Spotlight. A Compelling New Reading - Anett Fodor is impressed by Daniel Harding and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra's recent recording of Mahler's Fifth Symphony. 'Daniel Harding awakens and keeps the listener's curiosity captive, demanding thorough attention for his compelling interpretation.'
CD Spotlight. A Life-enhancing Work - Gustav Mahler's Symphony No 9 impresses Gerald Fenech. '... Harding's handling of the inner angst of the music is faultlessly revealing.'
Ensemble. A Compelling Production - Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera' at Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
DVD Spotlight. Hard to Chew - Music by Axel Borup-Jørgensen, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'This is music that needs to be listened to several times before one can start to comprehend the composer's inner thoughts ...'
CD Spotlight. Material Traces - Very early music from Scandinavia, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a highly innovative undertaking which may not be everybody's cup of tea, but for those who have a flair for adventure this programme will definitely enthrall.'
CD Spotlight. Brilliantly Performed - Music by Halvorsen, Nielsen and Svendsen impresses Gerald Fenech. 'Henning Kraggerud's technical brilliance lends a balanced fluidity to all three works, and each is allowed to betray all the enterprising orchestral colours hidden within each score.'
Ensemble. Big-band Jazz and Choral Traditions - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Will Todd and Nils Lindberg, performed by Derby Choral Union with the Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra
Ensemble. 'Un Ballo' Returns Home - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Verdi in Rome
CD Spotlight. An Interesting Disc - Chamber music associated with Frans Preumayer, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... the performances ... were truly marvellous by all concerned.'
CD Spotlight. A Boy Prodigy - Piano music by Niklas Sivelöv, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... marvelous technique and improvisational skills.'
CD Spotlight. Unmistakable Timbre - Schubert symphonies, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... performances of unwavering focus ...'
Ensemble. A Special Chemistry - Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey
Ensemble. Silvery Tones - Maria Nockin was at the opening concert of Phoenix Chorale's 2012-13 season
CD Spotlight. Many Levels - Chamber music by Mozart and Smetana, heard by Howard Smith. '... judged to perfection ...'
Ensemble. A Good Feel - Christmas music from the Sitwell Singers, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. An Epic Opera - Rossini's 'William Tell', from Rome to the BBC Proms, by Giuseppe Pennisi
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. Category Defying - Ensemble Polaris, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'Stockholm meets Nashville ...'
CD Spotlight. Transcendent Resignation - Mahler's Ninth Symphony, heard by David Wilkins. '... played with love and knowledge and commitment ...'
CD Spotlight. Sterling Playing - Wendy Warner's interpretations of Popper and Piatigorsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... sovereign music-making deserving of the highest accolades.'
CD Spotlight. Mice in the Manger - A selection of Christmas music, enjoyed by George Balcombe. '... an amazing collection.'
CD Spotlight. Highly Challenging - Music for unaccompanied violin, heard by Howard Smith. '... searching performance ...'
Ensemble. Profoundly Beautiful - William Christie's 'Dido and Aeneas' impresses Robert Hugill
CD Spotlight. Jaw-Dropping Technique - Sharon Bezaly plays Gubaidulina, Beamish and Takano, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... a beautiful tone at any volume in any octave ...'
CD Spotlight. Admirable Devotion - Sibelius songs, appreciated by Robert Anderson
An Unexpected Treasure - Jeanette Hanscome talks to author Helen Martens about her new book 'Felix Mendelssohn: Out of the Depths of His Heart'
CD Spotlight. A Special Quality - Music by Sibelius for voice and orchestra, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'Throughout the set BIS has maintained the high standards ...'
CD Spotlight. Structurally Important - Evgeni Mikhailov's Scriabin sonatas impress Patric Standford. '... commanding performances of powerful works ...'
CD Spotlight. A Memorable Disc - Vadim Gluzman plays Tchaikovsky and Glazunov, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. 'Vadim Gluzman is a violinist of remarkable gifts.'
Ensemble. Inspiring and Memorable - Handel's oratorio 'Solomon', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Record box. Compelling energy - Music by Tüür, Sibelius and Rachmaninov, reviewed by Howard Smith
Destined for the top - Roderic Dunnett talks to Sarah Saunders of Phoenix Rising
CD Spotlight. Interlinking resonances - A song recital by Malena Ernman, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... lively and charmingly refreshing ...'
CD Spotlight. Red ribbon - The Talla Vocal Ensemble, recommended by Patric Standford. '... guaranteed to delight listeners ...'
CD Spotlight. Considerable pleasure - Emma Kirkby sings music by Cataldo Amodei, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a CD of rare beauty ...'
CD Spotlight. Stature and vision - Beethoven sonatas for cello and piano, appreciated by John Bell Young. '... an energetic undercurrent that sets fire to virtually every phrase.'
CD Spotlight. Often intriguing - New music for orchestra, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a hypnotically appealing experience.'
Ensemble. Apotheosis of the madrigal - Roderic Dunnett enjoys 'L'incoronazione di Poppea' at London's Royal Academy of Music
Ensemble. Shostakovich and Beethoven Trios - Malcolm Miller enjoys the Stockholm Arts Trio's UK début
Record box. Swedish virtuosi - Tobias Ringborg plays music by Roman, and Keith Bramich listens
CD Spotlight. Orchestral colour - The symphonies of Kurt Atterberg encountered by Robert Anderson. '... a towering Pelion with which to storm the heavens ...'
CD Spotlight - Bright vigour. '... strong clean performances ...' Kurt Atterberg's Symphonies Nos 7 and 8, with Patric Standford
National ambition - Keith Bramich visits Wales for the opening concert of the 2001 Presteigne Festival
Iberian spice - Malcolm Miller attends a recital by Mats Lidström and Alberto Portugheis
Site seeing - Opus pocus - have you seen these sites?
Site seeing - Silver discs - record labels online, with Keith Bramich
Record box - Visiting ducks. Encounters with a recorder quartet, by Basil Ramsey
Record Box - Wonderful achievement. 'Exciting to stumble across a composer and playing so vital and refreshing.' Roderic Dunnett listens to the 3rd Symphony of Wilhelm Peterson-Berger
Site seeing - An eye and an ear, with Keith Bramich
Record box - Blowing to good purpose - Brass in consort, with Basil Ramsey