A selection of 'Switzerland' articles

Spotlight. Virtuosic Flair - Gerald Fenech recommends dance music played by Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. 'Daniel Hope's fiddle-playing is just phenomenal ...'

Classical music news. January 2024 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our January 2024 video newsletter - Twenty-five Years

Allan Rae: 5 Concerti - Richard Meszto introduces five works, referencing, in particular, the vast landscapes of Canada

Spotlight. The Authentic Chopin Sound - Gerald Fenech reviews Margarita Höhenrieder's recording of the Chopin piano concertos. 'This issue is a truly important addition to the composer's discography ...'

A Treasure Trove - Roderic Dunnett explores the substantial catalogue of Regent Records

Ensemble. An Uncanny Cool and Relaxed Demeanour - Malcolm Miller is impressed by the London recital of young Chinese-Canadian pianist Kevin Chen

Classical music news. Appointments - New (and existing) jobs for members of the international classical music community

Classical music news. Making the world safe for small pianists - The Stretto Piano Festival and other forthcoming events, including the Verbier, Berkshire High Peaks, Presteigne and Oxford International Song festivals

CD Spotlight. Quite Eclectic - Geoff Pearce is entertained by three absurdist works from the 1930s. '... a snapshot of a different age, captured brilliantly.'

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

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Looks like we got ourselves a reader

Ensemble. A Curiously Unfamiliar Masterpiece - Malcolm Miller is impressed by Hana Mizuta-Spencer's performance of Ernest Bloch's Violin Concerto

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Randomness Run Riot

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Champions of Oblivion

CD Spotlight. Ingeniously Crafted - Gerald Fenech welcomes Hyperion's new recording of Carl Reinecke's piano concertos. 'A gem of an issue dedicated to one of today's great divas, whose thrilling voice has excited and captivated audiences for more than three decades.'

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - A short night at the opera

Classical music news - Juliane Banse - The German soprano will be the new head professor of voice at Madrid's Reina Sofía School of Music for 2023-24

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Extraordinary Adventures

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

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

CD Spotlight. Subliminal Pedagogy - John Dante Prevedini listens to Thomas Quasthoff singing Schubert, Mahler and J S Bach at Verbier. 'Taken within the context of Verbier, this album documents just as effectively his gift for pedagogical modeling as it does his vocal virtuosity.'

CD Spotlight. A Transcendental Experience - Gerald Fenech is impressed by this Mahler symphony cycle from Mariss Jansons and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. 'It is absolutely mystifying how this kind of music-making is humanly possible.'

Classical music news. Great Resilience and Creativity - Twenty finalists have been announced for the 2023 Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition

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

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

Classical music news. Winners, Projects, Cancellations - Items in the news

CD Spotlight. Kaleidoscopic Variety - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Charles Koechlin. '... a near uncontrollable energy that almost brings Chaplin and Co back to life again.'

Ensemble. Full of Vitality - Mike Wheeler listens to the Solus Trumpet Ensemble at the 2022 Buxton Festival

Ensemble. Major Success for a Young Orchestra - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Mozart, played by the Canova Chamber Orchestra

Classical music news. Music Competitions - Here are details of various music competitions taking place during the coming months

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. 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 ...'

Ensemble. A Rare Bird - Verdi's 'Luisa Miller', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. An Exciting New Partnership - Mike Wheeler listens to Dinis Sousa and the Royal Northern Sinfonia

Classical music news - October and November 2021 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this and last month

Classical music news. November 2021 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our November 2021 newsletter

Classical music news. Obituary - Bernard Haitink (1929-2021)

CD Spotlight. Often Beautiful - Geoff Pearce listens to Ilya Gringolts. 'Gringolts is an exciting violinist, his technique flawless, his sound sumptuous ...'

CD Spotlight. A Mother and Daughter Duo - Simon Farrugia finds 'El Gran Astor' superbly expressed in this new album by Duo Praxedis. 'The freshness of sound presented in this album gives a new dimension to Piazzolla's music ...'

Profile. Landmark Collaborations - A personal reminiscence of British conductor Lawrence Leonard, by Keith Bramich

Ensemble. A Long Love Affair - Giuseppe Pennisi attends the Stravinsky anniversary celebrations in Rome

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

A Thriller about a Score - Giuseppe Pennisi explores a new critical edition of Palestrina's 'Missa Papae Marcelli'

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Crafted - Geoff Pearce listens to Lieder by Swiss composers Hans Schaeuble, Frank Martin, Peter Mieg, Othmar Schoeck and Arthur Honegger. '... one of the loveliest discs I have ever heard.'

Ensemble. Elegant and Innovative - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Teatro dell'Opera di Roma's Homage to Stravinsky

CD Spotlight. Miniature Gems - Gerald Fenech listens to music by two neglected Italian Baroque composers - Alessandro Stradella and Giovanni Lorenzo Gregori. '... precise yet stylish playing ...'

CD Spotlight. Continuous Excitement - Keyboard concertos by Franz Joseph Haydn, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Mélodie Zhao's interpretations are full of warmth and colour, and her phrasing, even in the quicker passages, is consistently arresting.'

CD Spotlight. Liszt the Pilgrim - Michele Campanella's recording of Liszt's 'Années de pèlerinage', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... a virtuoso rendering with a very personal touch.'

Classical music news - The Piano Student - A 2019 novel about pianist Vladimir Horowitz is published in the United States and United Kingdom this month in an English translation

CD Spotlight. A Swiss Household Name - Music for guitar by Hans Haug and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... the enchanting playing of Marisa Minder is memorable throughout.'

Classical music news. August 2020 Newsletter - 'A Fresh Vision', Classical Music Daily's August 2020 Newsletter, has just been published, along with an assortment of short news items

CD Spotlight. Lively and Dynamic - Geoff Pearce listens to symphonies by Czech composer Franz Krommer. 'This interesting and enjoyable disc will delight most listeners rather than astound them.'

Classical music news. July 2020 Newsletter - 'A Miracle in Ravenna', Classical Music Daily's July 2020 Newsletter, has just been published, along with an assortment of short news items

Classical music news - Donatella Flick Conducting Competition - The deadline for the 2021 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition has been extended until 13 August 2020

CD Spotlight. Baroque Minimalism and 21st Century Minds - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music for violin by Philip Glass. 'The magic of this iconic figure in American music is still aweing listeners.'

Classical music news - April 2020 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world lost last month

CD Spotlight. An Absolute Soprano - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to a recording by Marina Rebeka. '... perfect emission ... consummate technical skills ...'

Ensemble. Familiar Pieces Heard Afresh - Mike Wheeler has some thoughtful comments on a performance by Tasmin Little, Duncan Riddell, Thierry Fischer and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Of Considerable Interest - Music by Gian Francesco Malipiero, heard by Geoff Pearce. 'This excellent Naxos disc is well worth exploring, and performances from all concerned are very fine indeed.'

Ensemble. In the French Tradition - Mike Wheeler listens to Fauré, Lili Boulanger, Abdelmoula and Debussy from Swiss pianist Jean-Sélim Abdelmoula

Classical music news. Obituary - Nello Santi (1931-2020)

CD Spotlight. Fresh and Natural - Leila Schayegh plays Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons', heard by Gerald Fenech. '... she succeeds brilliantly with some magical playing full of "joie de vivre" and silhouetted tone painting.'

Ensemble. A Winning Team - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to a pre-tour concert by Martha Argerich and Antonio Pappano, with the Symphony Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Classical music news. Obituary - Hansheinz Schneeberger (1926-2019)

Profile. Collecting Gems - Ron Bierman talks to the American tenor Carl Tanner

Classical music news. Obituary - Paul Badura-Skoda (1927-2019)

French Romanticism - George Colerick discusses orchestral music by Berlioz, Saint-Saëns, Delibes, Lalo, d'Indy, Debussy, Ravel, Honegger, Poulenc, Milhaud and others

Classical music news. STEIM 50 Years - Amsterdam's STudio for Electro-Instrumental Music celebrates its fiftieth birthday

Classical music news. Le Poisson Magique - Resonus issues John McCabe's complete organ music on CD to mark the composer's eightieth birthday year

Profile. A Forgotten Composer in England - Richard Meszto writes about Hungarian-born Emanuel Moór

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

CD Spotlight. Freshness and Enthusiasm - Early music by Richard Strauss impresses Gerald Fenech. '... full of sunny and exuberant musical tone painting which gives a huge uplift in spirits ...'

Ensemble. A Short Bittersweet Opera - Stravinsky's 'A Soldier's Tale', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Gradual Maturing - Giuseppe Pennisi describes the recent performance history of Rossini's 'William Tell' and reviews Palermo's 2018 production

CD Spotlight. Highly Stirring - Vadim Gluzman plays Brahms, heard by Lucas Ball. 'Gluzman and Yoffe are at their most energetic and communicative.'

CD Spotlight. Wonderful Advocates - Hindemith's complete string quartets, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... each rendition is an endless source of pleasure, where precision and attention to detail are the consistent hallmarks of some breathtaking music-making.'

CD Spotlight. Beautiful Tone - Glazunov and Taneyev String Quintets, enjoyed by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... the Gringolts ensemble plays expertly, projecting the music's sense of "symphonic" weight and importance while maintaining the vivid interplay among the parts.'

CD Spotlight. Delicate and Slender - Handel's 'Messiah', recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'A new experience of a work we have heard so many times.'

Ensemble. Very Effective - Igor Stravinsky's 'The Soldier's Tale' at the Presteigne Festival, reviewed by Keith Bramich

CD Spotlight. Truly Superlative - Music by twentieth century women composers impresses Geoff Pearce. '... the Trio des Alpes is committed and convincing ...'

CD Spotlight. Eminently Successful - Reconstructed music from the Celtic church, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... immaculate in execution ...'

CD Spotlight. Particularly Enticing - Antonio Vivaldi flute concerti, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Steger is a likeable exponent ...'

CD Spotlight. The Genuine Article - Dvorák from the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing more of Gaffigan's work ...'

CD Spotlight. Collaborative Effect - Martha Argerich and friends in Lugano, heard by Barbara Sealock. 'Among the recorded gems of 2013 ...'

CD Spotlight. Brisk Tempi - Neeme Järvi conducts Chabrier, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. 'Rhythms could often be more strongly marked and firmly grounded ...'

CD Spotlight. Cogently Structured - Orchestral music by Joachim Raff, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... very well portrayed by Järvi ... and the Suisse Romande Orchestra ...'

Ensemble. Swift and Corrosive - Giuseppe Pennisi takes a sniff at Shostakovich's 'The Nose'

CD Spotlight. A Dismal Success - Felicity Lott sings Poulenc, heard by Robert Anderson. '... various moods of increasing desperation ...'

Ensemble. Potent Emphasis - Malcolm Miller was at the recent Bloch and Israeli Music competitions

Ensemble. Pyrotechnic Skills - Lionel Cottet and Louis Schwizgebel-Wang play Beethoven, Schubert, Zanon and Brahms, and impress Bill Newman

Ensemble. Very Moving - A recital by Janine Jansen and Itamar Golan, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. The Legacy of Bel Canto - Rossini's 'William Tell' at the Caramoor Festival, discussed by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Sheer Brilliance - Rossini's 'William Tell', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. The Quality of Mercy - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the 2011 Aix-en-Provence Festival and reports on four of the six operas

CD Spotlight. Formidable Hurdles - Music by George Rochberg, heard by Howard Smith. '... an eloquent performance, effectively recorded.'

Ensemble. Too Clever by Half - A very British version of Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail' returns to Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Perfection Itself - Michail Lifits at London's Wigmore Hall delights Bill Newman

DVD Spotlight. The Heart of Opera - Giuseppe Verdi's 'La forza del destino', reviewed by Maria Nockin. '... a rhythmically alert, exciting performance ...'

Ensemble. True Ear Candy - Wagner's 'Lohengrin' at L A Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

A Golden Treasury - Havergal Brian on European and American music, read by Patric Standford

Ensemble. An Epic Opera - Rossini's 'William Tell', from Rome to the BBC Proms, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Impeccable - Music by Szymanowski, Webern and Schoeck, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'The quartet plays with authority throughout ...'

CD Spotlight. Thrilling Mastery - Tanja Becker-Bender plays Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... sparkling clarity and power ...'

CD Spotlight. Lyrical Powers - Orchestral music by Louis Spohr, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Howard Shelley and the Swiss orchestra clearly relish this unusual assignment.'

Ensemble. Disillusioning in All its Grandeur - New York Metropolitan Opera's current production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Attila' elicits a mixed reaction from Rebecca Schmid

Ensemble. A Sparkling Concert - Sabbath music from the Zemel Choir, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

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

CD Spotlight. Brilliantly Portrayed - Friedrich Klose's 'Ilsebill', praised by Gerald Fenech. '... a risky yet rewarding adventure ...'

Ensemble. A Different Rendition - Puccini's 'Tosca' on the big screen, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Sterling Performances - Donizetti's 'Linda di Chamounix', heard by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Exceptional Assurance - J S Bach organ sonatas, heard by Howard Smith. '... an immensely satisfying conclusion.'

CD Spotlight. Consistently Refined - Debussy transcriptions, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... these alternatives are never less than striking ...'

CD Spotlight. An Invaluable Addition - Chamber music by Brian Ferneyhough, heard by Patric Standford. '... strong and committed performances ...'

Ensemble. New Colours - Leslie Anne Lewis conducts a new chamber ensemble arrangement of Bloch's Sacred Service, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Luxurious Textures - Sacred music from the Phoenix Chorale, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Profoundly Satisfying - 'Theodora' at the London Handel Festival, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

CD Spotlight. Shaken and Stirred - Maurice Steger plays Giuseppe Sammartini, recommended by Jennifer Paull

CD Spotlight. Engagingly Heartening - Choral and orchestral music by Arthur Honegger, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... strikingly performed by Welsh forces ...'

Ensemble. Complexity of Thought - Eugene Feygelson and Malcolm Troup play Beethoven and Bloch, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Committed and Tough - Malcolm Troup plays Bloch's Piano Sonata, appreciated by Julian Jacobson

The Musician's Guide to Having an MRI - In an occasional series 'The Musician's Guides', Jennifer Paull offers a few tips for survival when confronted with being the square musical peg in a round musical hole

Remarkable Scope - On Ronald Stevenson's eightieth birthday, Patric Standford reads Colin Scott-Sutherland's 'Ronald Stevenson: The Man and his Music'

A Passionate Commitment - Robert Hugill talks to Bach Choir conductor David Hill about Carl Rütti's new Requiem

CD Spotlight. Compositional Integrity - Music by Thomas Fortmann, reviewed by Howard Smith. 'Thomas Fortmann has achieved what repeatedly eludes others ...'

Rui dos Reis - Jennifer Paull interviews and investigates the Portuguese composer-pianist

CD Spotlight. Great Panache - The complete wind quintets of Ferenc Farkas, appreciated by Paul Sarcich. '... the whole set simply reeks charm.'

Ensemble. Absorption of Influences - A revival of Bloch's early C sharp minor symphony, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Worldly Forces - Alban Berg's 'Wozzeck' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Fluid Phrasing - A Christmas concert by the vocal ensemble 'Aitone', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Pungent Sonorities - Arthur Honegger's 'Le Roi David', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Irresistibly Haunting - Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Franz Welser-Möst conducts admirably ...'

DVD Spotlight. An Exciting Performance - Verdi's 'La Traviata', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... result of admirable cooperation between the Zürich stage and pit.'

Profile. The Hungarian Nightingale - A meeting with Gisela Doráti, better known as 'Gizi', by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Changing moods - The Derwent Singers and Sinfonia Chorale, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Editor's Inbox - Another selection of readers' letters, including a review of the Berlin version of Nicholas Maw's opera 'Sophie's Choice'

Timings - thoughts about the quirkiness of some of music's hidden secrets - The Clarens Connection, by Jennifer Paull

Irreplaceable to music - Tess Crebbin describes the memorial service in Munich for conductor Marcello Viotti

'Sky poets paint the sheltered curve to find' - the first part of a triptych of articles by Jennifer Paull

Love of music and family - On the death of Marcello Viotti, by Tess Crebbin

Profile. The man with the golden flute - On the occasion of the flautist's 65th birthday, James Galway talks to David Lipp

DVD Spotlight. Eight monsters - The Verbier Festival Tenth Anniversary Piano Extravaganza, reviewed by Tess Crebbin. '... many still kick themselves for not having been there ...'

European tour - A preview, of sorts, of the Cleveland Orchestra's four-city, three festival visit, by Kelly Ferjutz

Profile. Singing out - An encounter with celebrated Heldentenor Robert Dean Smith, by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. Spoilt for choice - Swiss ambassadors, a Bulgarian pianist and a marketing project, with Bill Newman

Ensemble. Gripping theatre - Robert Hugill experiences Zurich Opera's 'Radamisto'

Profile. After Antal Doráti - Bill Newman visits pianist Ilse von Alpenheim at her home in Switzerland

Editor's inbox - a selection of our readers' letters

Record box. Buried masterpiece? - Roderic Dunnett is bowled over by Gossec's Requiem

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - orchestral players

Record box - Astonishing flow. Basil Ramsey finds Telemann in good company

Timewarp - Jennifer Paull investigates Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto Op 14

Profile - A musical enchantress. On the anniversary of Cathy Berberian's death, Jennifer Paull remembers the legendary singer who cast musical spells

A sleeping beauty - Jennifer Paull investigates Robert Schumann's Violin Concerto in D minor, WoO 23

Reminiscent retrospectives - Meteorological obligati, with Jennifer Paull

Reminiscent retrospectives - Musical language, with Jennifer Paull

Reminiscent retrospectives - Magic moments, with Jennifer Paull

Reminiscent retrospectives - Trails and Euros, with Jennifer Paull

Reminiscent retrospectives - Women in music, with Jennifer Paull

CD Spotlight - Dazzling virtuosity. '... the power to surprise as well as to beguile and delight.' Maurice Steger plays Vivaldi concerti, by David Thompson

Reminiscent retrospectives - In a new series, international musician and writer Jennifer Paull shares some of her musical memories. September 11th 2001

CD Spotlight - Profound beauty. '... a commendable account ...' Ernest Bloch's music, with Robert Anderson

Record box - Flighty music. Unusual repertory with two flutes, as heard by Basil Ramsey

The Name of the Game - Oboe d'Amore soloist Jennifer Paull meanders through the maze of musical instrument names

National ambition - Keith Bramich visits Wales for the opening concert of the 2001 Presteigne Festival

Editor's inbox - a selection of letters from our readers

Second Sight - Music with Wilfrid Mellers - Touching Touch-pieces. 'We are grateful to the player for her skill and sensitivity ...' Bach's Seven Toccatas for Harpsichord

Site seeing - Opus pocus - have you seen these sites?

MV3 - fragments of forgotten sounds - take Gordon Rumson's world tour! (concluded from last month)

CD Spotlight - Idiosyncracies. Anderszewski plays Beethoven, with Shirley Ratcliffe

Record box - Speaking out. The little-known Slavický, with Basil Ramsey

The Ring in Chemnitz - Robert Anderson pays a visit

Site seeing - The cabbage patch - more readers' suggestions, with Keith Bramich

Trump card - Howard Smith tells the story of the New Zealand String Quartet's well-kept Hungarian secret

Record box - Flattery. Doubtful Bach well dressed, with Basil Ramsey

Record box - Brilliantly handled. Roderic Dunnett listens to 'La Contadina' by Hasse

CD Spotlight - Passion and integrity. 'Peter Bruns and Roglit Ishay prove convincing advocates for this singleminded and almost obsessive music.' Remembering Ernest Bloch, with Robert Anderson

Record Box - The born and stillborn - Harping on, with Basil Ramsey

CD Spotlight - Here lies the essence of rediscovery. '... fresh and stimulating ... musical pointers come alive as they occur ...' Symphonies Nos 3 and 4 by Joachim Raff, with Bill Newman

CD Spotlight - Renaissance. 'Jennifer Paull gives sparkling performances.' The oboe d'amore revitalised - with Basil Ramsey.