Classical Music Daily — all articles published in 2024

 

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

Ensemble. Brightly Delivered — Mike Wheeler finds a concert by Nigel Short's Tenebrae choir unmissable

Spotlight. Warmth and Charm — Robert Levin plays Mozart concertos, recommended unreservedly by Gerald Fenech. 'These are simple and uncomplicated but wholly alluring Mozartian bonbons.'

Classical music news. Obituary — Alice Parker (1925-2023)

Spotlight. An Impressive Achievement — Geoff Pearce enjoys piano music by Christopher Brown. 'The writing requires a great deal from the pianist, both in technique and musical understanding and in this, Nathan Williamson excels.'

Spotlight. Superb Playing — Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by Stravinsky. '... consistently transparent and intensely alive.'

Inspiring Joy — Jeffrey Neil talks to American composer Jenny Wei about the use of new technologies

Spotlight. A Very Original Compilation — Geoff Pearce appreciates Piotr Anderszewski's recordings of Janáček, Szymanowski and Bartók. '... dazzling technique ...'

Classical music news. Laughter and Tears — Announcing a new Canadian opera and marking the Gustav Holst anniversary at the UK's Thaxted Festival

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

Spotlight. Love's Lasting Power — Keith Bramich is impressed by Schubert from Harriet Burns and Ian Tindale. '... very sympathetic to the twists and turns of Schubert's narrative ...'

Spotlight. Interconnected Composers — Geoff Pearce listens to orchestral music by Ravel, Lennox Berkeley and Adam Pounds. 'The Pounds work is a revelation and I would buy this disc just for this alone.'

Ensemble. Refreshing and Exhilarating — Mike Wheeler starts the year with music by Dani Howard, Smetana and Richard Strauss from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

Classical music news - Composers and Conductors — A selection of news items from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, the UK and elsewhere

Spotlight. Quite Astonishing — Keith Bramich listens to the sound of Andean highland instruments used in new ways. '... surprisingly varied, unusual and different ...'

Spotlight. One of the Happiest French Symphonies — Gerald Fenech is impressed by Édouard Lalo's orchestral music. '... consistently transparent and intensely alive.'

Spotlight. Highly Individual — Geoff Pearce listens to chamber music by two generations of female composers. '... marvellous unfamiliar music ...'

Afternoon Tea with Gerard — On the eve of the centenary of the birth of composer Gerard Schurmann, Keith Bramich shares the address that he gave, remotely, at Schurmann's memorial service

A Constant, Authentic Genius — Roderic Dunnett pays tribute to composer Gerard Schurmann on the centenary of his birth

Classical music news. Obituary — Peter Schickele (1935-2024)

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 ...'

Spotlight. Gripping and Engaging — Geoff Pearce enjoys music by Edvard Grieg. 'It is especially rewarding to hear the unfamiliar works that make up much of this disc.'

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

Spotlight. Excavations of Meaning — John Dante Prevedini recommends song cycles by contemporary American composer Douglas Boyce. '... an unusual vision bravely conceived and sensitively executed by all involved.'

Classical music news. New Releases for February 2024 and Later — Browse a selection of new recordings

Spotlight. Inspired and Joyous Choral Singing — Gerald Fenech strongly recommends choral music by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn. '... stirring music from beginning to end from, maybe, the most famous siblings in nineteenth century musical history.'

Classical music news. A Miraculous Achievement — Claire Marsden visits Loughborough to play the Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No 1

Zwilich — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Profile. It's Art — Ron Bierman talks to Amerian opera director Kyle Lang

Ensemble. Disarmingly Elegant — Mike Wheeler is impressed by Grieg and Chopin from British pianist Alexander Ullman

Ensemble. A Marvelous Concert in an Exceptional Setting — Ron Bierman reports on Mozart from the San Diego Symphony and Raphael Payare

Classical music news. February 2024 Newsletter and other news — Our February 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published, and amongst other items of news, we also feature a conversation between Tamami Honma and Barry Cooper

Ensemble. Appealingly Varied — Mike Wheeler listens to a cello and piano recital given by Kathryn Monteiro and Joanna Lam

Spotlight. Most Satisfying — Geoff Pearce highly recommends Andrius Puskunigis' recording of Handel oboe concertos. 'This disc is one of the finest I have heard of an oboist playing Baroque music on a modern instrument.'

Ensemble. Irresistibly Jolly — Mike Wheeler enjoys Sinfonia Viva's performance of Mozart's 'Gran Partita'

Spotlight. Inexhaustible Genius — Gerald Fenech welcomes a new disc of sacred choral music by William Byrd. '... the singing is consistently exquisite, marvellously balanced and warmly intimate.'

Spotlight. Unbelievably Delicate — Geoff Pearce appreciates a recording of Yoav Levanon playing Rachmaninov. '... fine performances by an exciting young pianist.'

Ensemble. An Expendable Frivolity? — Ron Bierman assesses San Diego Opera's production of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni'

Spotlight. Soul-searching Works — Gerald Fenech emphatically recommends orchestral music by Tchaikovsky. '... the singing is consistently exquisite, marvellously balanced and warmly intimate.'

Spotlight. A Romantic Piano Master — Esdras Mugatik listens to Shura Cherkassky. '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'

Classical music news. Gurwitz Winners — Yungyung Guo, Tatiana Dorokhova and Young Sun Choi win medals at the 2024 Gurwitz International Piano Competition

Ensemble. A Runaway Success — Mike Wheeler listens to choral music by seven students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Spotlight. Sumptuously Fragile Sounds — Gerald Fenech joyously recommends keyboard music from Handel's home in London. 'Technically flawless performances ...'

Spotlight. Some Real Gems — Geoff Pearce will return often to this recording of orchestral music by Grażyna Bacewicz. '... full of invention and surprises ...'

Spotlight. Feverishly Exciting — Gerald Fenech ardently recommends Skrowaczewski's 2016 recording of Bruckner's Eighth Symphony. '... full of energy and emotional visionary splendour ...'

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

Ensemble. An Outstanding Choice — Ron Bierman is impressed by J S Bach, Barber and Haydn, played by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra led by veteran Dutch conductor Edo de Waart

Classical music news - Jess Gillam — The British saxophonist and her ensemble join Intermusica Artists' Management Ltd

Ensemble. Something Remarkable — Mike Wheeler listens to mostly avian music from Edouardo Strausser and the CBSO

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.'

Spotlight. A Great Release — Geoff Pearce appreciates Laura van der Heijden and Jâms Coleman's cello and piano recital. '... the performers do not appear to be recorded with microphones too close, which results in realistic blending, and also a feeling of distance, perhaps reflecting the distant and mysterious qualities of the moonlight.'

Spotlight. Vitality and Freshness — Gerald Fenech is delighted by Bojan Čičić and Steven Devine's recording of Handel's violin sonatas. '... infectious warmth and extraordinary dexterity ...'

Ensemble. Luminous Playing — Mike Wheeler is impressed by French/German pianist Elena Fischer-Dieskau's performances of Mélanie Bonis, Robert Schumann and Rachmaninov

Classical music news - Weight in the Fingertips — Ukrainian-American pianist Inna Faliks' recent book tells the story of her upbringing in a Soviet state and her path to becoming a concert pianist

Spotlight. A Wonderful Tribute — Endre Anaru praises Francesco Cera for his performance of The Well-Tempered Clavier: Part 2, Book 2. '... Cera has ascended two vast Himalayan peaks and is to be congratulated for this achievement.'

Taşbebek — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Ensemble. An Almost Physical Impact — Mike Wheeler is impressed with the return of Dinis Sousa and the Royal Northern Sinfonia to play Prokofiev, Mozart and Beethoven

Spotlight. Charmfully Invigorating — Gerald Fenech listens to eighteenth century composer Boismortier's 'Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse'. 'Matthias Maute and his Ensemble Caprice deliver performances of the utmost clarity ...'

Spotlight. Grammars of Space — John Dante Prevedini explores the music of composer and multi-instrumentalist Jérôme Descamps. '... a testament to the powers available to the resourceful composer-performer in the contemporary chamber idiom.'

A Crack in Time? — A rare Leap Day editorial from Keith Bramich

Classical music news. March 2024 Newsletter — Watch and listen to our March 2024 one hour video newsletter - Classical Music and Politics

Spotlight. Fire and Brimstone — Gerald Fenech marvels at Alpesh Chauhan's new Tchaikovsky recording with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for Chandos. '... Chauhan's passionate approach is consistently vibrant, sensitive and fastidiously attentive to orchestral details.'

Classical music news - Turbulent Times — The Australian Youth Orchestra goes to Tasmania for its Autumn Season Concert

Ensemble. A Terrific Concert — Ron Bierman listens to Gill Shaham and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rafael Payare

Ensemble. Dazzling Virtuosity — Mike Wheeler listens to Valentin Silvestrov, Rachmaninov, Manuel de Falla and Musorgsky from Russian pianist Victor Maslov

Classical music news - Kublai Khan — The first performances of Salieri's opera 'Cublai, gran kan de' Tartari' will take place in April 2024

Spotlight. Neither Romantic nor Modern — Gerald Fenech recommends Francesca Dego's new recording of violin concertos by Brahms and Busoni. '... splendidly recorded and annotated ...'

Classical music news - Chandos Records — British classical record label Chandos Records has been acquired by Klaus Heymann, the founder of Naxos

Classical music news - Wakkerstroom Music Festival — An annual classical music festival in South Africa begins later this month

Classical music news - Liberation Festival — Jersey's international festival of classical music and jazz runs from 9-18 May 2024

Ensemble. All to Play For — Mike Wheeler listens to Bruckner's Symphony No 8 from Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra

Spotlight. A Winning Personality — Gerald Fenech strongly recommends music by Eugène Ysaÿe on the Avie Records label. '... passionate intensity and inspired brilliance ...'

Ensemble. A Fascinating Mix — Mike Wheeler listens to a joint concert by Derby Cathedral Choir and Sinfonia Viva

Spotlight. A Near Unforgettable Experience — Gerald Fenech praises Krijn Koetsveld and Le Nuove Musiche for their new Monteverdi recording. '... breathtaking precision and technical proficiency that are simply stunning.'

Ensemble. A Sure Feel for Dramatic Pacing — Mike Wheeler reviews Opera North's Mascagni/Rachmaninov double bill

Spotlight. Rare but Lovely — Gerald Fenech recommends Catalani's 'La falce'. 'Performances are excellent in every sense and Fabrizio Da Ros keeps things moving without undue fuss.'

Classical music news - A New Competition — The Tokyo Minato City International Music Competition and Workshop is being launched in 2024

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

Spotlight. Highly Imaginative — Gerald Fenech warmly recommends music by Manuel de Falla and Igor Stravinsky. '... an absolute joy.'

Ensemble. Serious Emotional Turmoil — Mike Wheeler finds that the ending of Opera North's 'Così fan tutte' works brilliantly

Spotlight. A Lovely, Lovely Issue — Gerald Fenech recommends music by Handel and Vivaldi from Daniel Sæther and Ensemble C4. '... up there with the very best ...'

Classical music news - Clayton Stephenson — The 2022 Cliburn finalist has been awarded a 2024 Avery Fisher career grant

Spotlight. Fling Wide the Gates — Keith Bramich listens to Delphian Records' new recording of John Stainer's 'The Crucifixion'. '... excellent and committed performance ...'

Zelman — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Spotlight. Richness of Surprise — Gerald Fenech urges you to invest in this cycle of Haydn symphonies from Johannes Klumpp and the Heidelberger Sinfoniker. 'It's a joy for a lifetime.'

Ensemble. Satisfyingly Impressive and Exciting — Ron Bierman listens to Musorgsky, Rachmaninov and Elgar in San Diego

Ensemble. A Generally Engaging Performance — Mike Wheeler listens to Elgar, Rachmaninov, Debussy and Dvořák in Derby Cathedral

Classical music news. New Releases for April 2024 and Later — Browse a selection of new recordings

Ensemble. Radically New for Western Audiences — Adam J Sacks reports from the Hong Kong Arts Festival

Ensemble. Little Short of Miraculous — Mike Wheeler is impressed by Hanni Liang's pianism, but reports that some audience members were unhappy with her recital's lecture element

Classical music news. April 2024 Newsletter — Our April 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published, featuring some music festivals around the world this year

Classical music news. Del Mar-a-Lago Festival — Here are further details about the contemporary music festival mentioned in our April newsletter

Spotlight. Exquisitely Descriptive Music — Gerald Fenech warmly recommends harpsichord music by Pierre-Claude Foucquet. 'It's a joy for a lifetime.'

Classical music news. Obituary — Ian Keith Harris (1935-2024)

Classical music news. Obituary — Christopher T Montgomery (1931-2024)

Ensemble. An Evening of Vocal Distinction — Roderic Dunnett reports on Massenet's 'Cendrillon' from the UK's Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Ensemble. A Remarkable Concentrated Stillness — Mike Wheeler reviews a restrained but purposeful account of J S Bach's St John Passion

Spotlight. Compelling Throughout — Gerald Fenech warmly recommends Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man'. '... the performance is one of the most moving I've heard in recent times ...'

Profile. To Vladivostok With Thanks — Memories of the Russian pianist and teacher Vadim Suchanov (1949-2024) from Béla Hartmann

Ensemble. A Particular Delight — Mike Wheeler listens to the Aquinas Trio

Spotlight. An Original Voice — Geoff Pearce listens to Romanian conductor Sergiu Celibidache conducting Franck and Debussy. '... something very special indeed.'

Spotlight. Imagination, Humour and Depth — Gerald Fenech listens to oboe concertos by eighteenth century German composer Ludwig August Lebrun. 'Nancy Ambrose King's flawless technique allows the music to flow with a strong sense of drama ...'

Classical music news. Edo de Waart — The Dutch conductor retires at eighty-two

Classical music news. Behind the Scenes — A recent article alleges a bad working atmosphere and more at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Spotlight. A Real Find — Geoff Pearce urges you to listen to this recording of Tippett's 'A Child of Our Time'. '... something very special indeed.'

Spotlight. Mysteriously Fascinating — Gerald Fenech wholeheartedly recommends orchestral music by Béla Bartók. 'The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra plays flawlessly throughout.'

Spotlight. Surprisingly Excellent — Gerald Fenech recommends music by Martucci. '... Martucci's music is so well crafted with an abundant spring of melody that one never tires of listening to it.'

Spotlight. An Immediate Impact — Geoff Pearce listens to Pärt and Shostakovich. '... something very special indeed.'

Spotlight. Precious, Luminous Gems — Esdras Mugatik listens to music for accordion by British composer Ronald Stevenson (1928-2015). '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'

Tailleferre — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Spotlight. Joyously Sparkling — Gerald Fenech listens to Sibylle Mahni play Mozart's horn concertos. 'There are recorded versions of these works aplenty, but this Prospero issue can certainly hold its ground with some of the best available at the moment.'

Spotlight. Delightful and Skilfully Crafted — Geoff Pearce listens to oboe concertos by Hertel. 'Oboist Katarzyna Pilipiuk is superb. She produces a pleasing tone, is precise in her fingerwork and has marvellous intonation.'

Classical music news. Obituary — Andrew Davis (1944-2024)

Spotlight. Vibrantly Recommended — Gerald Fenech listens to music by Enescu. '... these performances are as dynamically dazzling as they are irrepressibly exciting and incandescent.'

Spotlight. Fresh and Interesting — Geoff Pearce listens to chamber music by British composer Kenneth V Jones. '... a valuable discovery.'

Spotlight. Harmonically Exotic — Gerald Fenech finds a new recording of Delius' Hassan absolutely riveting. '... these performances are as dynamically dazzling as they are irrepressibly exciting and incandescent.'

Classical music news. Toradze International Music Festival — The Toradze Foundation presents the second edition of its music festival in the Georgian capital Tbilisi

Classical music news. The Greatest Fugue — American composer Elliott Sharp's new opera, 'Die Grösste Fuge' is to receive its first USA performance in English

Classical music news. Martijn Dendievel — A young Flemish conductor has been appointed as the new chief conductor of Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen

Classical music news. Albany Records — Parma Recordings acquires the American classical label Albany Records

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

Classical music news. May 2024 Newsletter — Watch and listen to our May 2024 one hour video newsletter - Improvisation in the classical world and beyond

Ensemble. A Huge Dynamic Range — Mike Wheeler listens to Maria Ioudenitch, Stanislav Kochanovsky and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra

Ensemble. Impressive Emotional Depth — Ron Bierman experiences an almost excellent performance of Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly'

Ensemble. Birthday Boys — Mike Wheeler reports from a celebratory Sitwell Singers concert featuring Bruckner and Cornelius

Spotlight. Expansion of Life — Gerald Fenech listens to three works by Carl Nielsen. '... performances of the utmost precision and potent perceptiveness ...'

Spotlight. Microtonal Connections — Keith Bramich listens to the Auerbach-Pierce Duo. '... nearly an hour of intriguing, sensitively played music.'

Ensemble. Plenty of Vigour and Panache — Mike Wheeler reacts to music by Holst, Andrew Carter, Moses Hogan and John Rutter

Spotlight. Consistently Engaging — Gerald Fenech listens to two more volumes in Danacord's 'Thomas Jensen Legacy' series. '... Jensen in joyous mood ...'

Classical music news - Gerard Schurmann Centenary Video — A new video has been published to mark the centenary of the British composer's birth

Classical music news - Anna Thorvaldsdóttir — The Icelandic composer's new orchestral installation receives its first performances on 1 June 2024 at the Reykjavík Arts Festival

Ensemble. Bright and Dark — Mike Wheeler listens to music by Johannes Brahms and Antonín Dvořák from Sunwook Kim, Alexandre Bloch and the Philharmonia Orchestra

Spotlight. Layers of the Programmatic — John Dante Prevedini listens to Gustav Hoyer's 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. '... a sensitively crafted release ...'

Classical music news - Birmingham Classical Season — B:Music announces its 2024/25 Birmingham (UK) Classical Season at Symphony Hall

Classical music news. New Releases for May 2024 and Later — Browse a selection of new recordings

Classical music news. Who's gone where? — News about signups etc

Classical music news. Mahler and Wagner in Geelong and Melbourne — The Australian Youth Orchestra's July 2024 concerts in Victoria also feature the first performances of the new work 'Overt' by Iain Grandage

Ensemble. 'De-Screening' — Jeffrey Neil investigates the marvellous score for the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz'

Ensemble. Romantic Energy — Lucas Ball listens to music by Tchaikovsky and Sibelius from Katy Smith, Keith Slade and the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra

Zipangu — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Spotlight. Denmark's Greatest Conductor? — Gerald Fenech delves into more volumes of Danacord's 'Thomas Jensen Legacy' series. 'Strongly recommended.'

Ensemble. Top of the Liszt — Robert McCarney marvels at the music making of young Kosovar pianist Melisa Ibrahimi

Ensemble. Intellectually and Spiritually Transformative — Jeffrey Neil delves beneath the surface of Johann Sebastian Bach's 'St John Passion'

Ensemble. An Almost Physical Impact — Mike Wheeler is impressed by Brahms, Chopin, Butterworth and Elgar from Stephen Hough, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra

Ensemble. Compellingly Realistic — Ron Bierman was in the audience for Giocomo Puccini's 'La bohème' in San Diego

Spotlight. A Kind of Reconciliation — Keith Bramich enjoys his journey through Stacy Garrop's oratorio 'Terra Nostra'. '... powerful, quirky and beautiful by turns, given life by the soloists, chorus and the varied orchestral accompaniment ...'

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. Misha Kaploukhii — The UK's Newbury Spring Festival announces the winner of the 2024 Sheepdrove Piano Competition

Spotlight. Cinematic Imagery — Gerald Fenech warmly recommends film music by John Williams, played by the Saito Kinen Orchestra. 'Strongly recommended.'

Spotlight. In the Shadow of War — Geoff Pearce listens to piano concertos by British composer George Lloyd. '... there is much to be gained from this set ...'

Spotlight. Siena Vigils — Gerald Fenech listens to Italian madrigals by Vecchi. 'Inspirational performances ...'

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

Classical music news. June 2024 Newsletter — Our June 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney — Peace comes dropping slow

Spotlight. A Common Objective — Ron Bierman's 2011 DVD review of a concert given by Daniel Barenboim's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, republished with an update about the orchestra. '... a tremendous, emotional, not-to-be-missed experience.'

Ensemble. Wholly Fresh Life — Roderic Dunnett attends two events in the UK to hear the work of Ian Venables

Spotlight. A Great Discovery — Gerald Fenech listens to Mozart from the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and Tarmo Peltokoski. 'Inspirational performances ...'

Classical music news - Nico Muhly — 'To the Body' forms part of the exhibition 'Yu Hong: Another One Bites the Dust' and the first performance of Muhly's work takes place today in Venice

Classical music news - Giulio Cilona — A young Belgian-American conductor has been appointed as principal guest conductor at the Opéra National de Lorraine

Ensemble. Thoroughly Attractive — Mike Wheeler listens to Glazunov orchestral music

Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney — Coming soon, maybe ...

Spotlight. Beautiful Writing — Geoff Pearce listens to Janine Jansen playing Sibelius and Prokofiev violin concertos. '... there is much to be gained from this set ...'

Spotlight. Consistently Transparent — Gerald Fenech listens to organ concertos by Arne. '... a vibrant energy ...'

Spotlight. The Tragedy of Rage — John Dante Prevedini listens to Michael Hersch's opera 'Poppaea'. '... a sensitively crafted release ...'

Ensemble. Bringing Out the Paradoxes — Jeffrey Neil delves into the nuances of Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' in San Francisco Opera's current production

Morawetz — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Spotlight. Outstanding Virtuosity and Style — Geoff Pearce is impressed with Telemann cantatas from Bergen Barokk. '... a very fine result ...'

Spotlight. Sensationally Powerful — Gerald Fenech is impressed by Sibelius symphonies recorded in Montreal. '... a quite spectacular addition to this cycle ...'

Ensemble. Impressively Sung — Ron Bierman listens to a song recital by Andrea Carroll and Joshua Guerrero, accompanied by Stephen Hopkins

Ensemble. A Very Satisfying Evening — Keith Bramich enjoys a charity concert in London

Spotlight. Often Forgotten — Geoff Pearce listens to orchestral music by Kauder, Apostel and Busch. 'There is so much beautiful music that is just waiting to be performed, recorded and listened to.'

Classical music news - Kontrapunktus — J S Bach and Telemann orchestral concerts in California

Classical music news - Jason Phillips — American composer and combat veteran Jason Phillips has composed a symphony and completed his graduate studies at Arizona State University

Spotlight. Anything but Indifferent? — Keith Bramich listens to music by Jane Stanley. '... by turns beautiful, cheeky, dreamy, engaging, gentle, intimate, modern-sounding, poised, reflective, serious, spatial, swirling and thoughtful.'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Imaginary Concert No 1

Classical music news. Obituary — Luciano Iorio (1937-2024)

Classical music news. New Releases for July 2024 and Later — Browse a selection of new recordings

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

Classical music news - Berkshire High Peaks Festival — Events from 20 until 31 July 2024 are free and open to the public at Bard College, Simon's Rock, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA

Classical music news - Nathalie Stutzmann — The French conductor has signed a new exclusive recording agreement with Erato

Richly-designed and original — Roderic Dunnett looks forward to the Three Choirs Festival, 27 July - 4 August 2024 in Worcester, UK

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Imaginary Concert No 2

Classical music news. July 2024 Newsletter — Our July 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published

Spotlight. Superb Performances — Amber Lin and Jeffrey Neil investigate Christine Moore Vassallo's journey through Spanish song. 'Christine Moore Vassallo and her ensemble were a delight to experience.'

Ensemble. Touchingly Apt — Mike Wheeler was at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall's farewell to Mark Elder as he steps down as musical director of the Hallé Orchestra

Ensemble. Remarkable Assurance — Mike Wheeler savours an Anglo-American programme from the Sitwell Singers

Classical music news. War Sonatas — A concert this weekend in Australia features the War Sonatas of Michael Kieran Harvey

Ensemble. Meditating on Violence — Jeffrey Neil's perspective on the late Kaija Saariaho's opera 'Innocence'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — The Journey Begins

Spotlight. A Stupendous Box Set — Gerald Fenech strongly recommends Antonio Pappano's complete symphonic, concertante and sacred music recordings with the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. '... music-making of exceptional passion and indescribable beauty that exalts the listener to heights of immense joy and feverish excitement.'

Spotlight. Drama and Emotion — Gerald Fenech finds much to enjoy and discover on this recent Verdi album from Freddie De Tommaso, Riccardo Chailly and colleagues at Teatro alla Scala, Milan. '... Chailly's spirited empathy for these pieces is evident throughout, and the La Scala forces respond with flair and vigour, as does tenor Freddie de Tommaso.'

Classical music news. Gramercy Brass Band Camp — Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York creates a weekend brass festival

Mozart in Italy — Mike Wheeler, in the first of several visits to this year's Buxton Festival, listens to a discussion between Jane Glover and Leah Broad

Chocallo — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Ensemble. Contrasting Emotional Worlds — Mike Wheeler notes the distinction of Paul Lewis as a Schubert interpreter at the 2024 Buxton Festival

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Learning to Fly

Ensemble. Dramatically Unsatisfactory — Mike Wheeler explains his opinion of Peter Brook and Jean-Claude Carrière's take on Bizet's 'Carmen'

Ensemble. Clearly Going Places — Mike Wheeler listens to the Kleio Quartet's Buxton Festival recital

Ensemble. Brilliantly Imaginative Staging — Mike Wheeler witnesses the devastating conclusion to Handel's 'Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno' at the Buxton Festival

Spotlight. A Century-old Recording — Gerald Fenech strongly recommends a new restored version of an early recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams' opera 'Hugh the Drover'. '... sound quality is not what we would expect today, but in a sense, therein lies its charm and fascination.'

Classical music news. Obituary — April Cantelo (1928-2024)

Ensemble. All the Expressive Bases Well Covered — Mike Wheeler was at the conclusion of Buxton Festival's Paul Lewis Schubert sonata series

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Pluck it and See

Ensemble. A Spirited Performance — Mike Wheeler was in the audience at Buxton for Giuseppe Verdi's 'Ernani'

Spotlight. Three Surprises — Gerald Fenech recommends music by Mozart played by the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice. '... a diverse survey of Mozart's occasional music in excellent sound quality and attractive presentation ...'

Ensemble. A Zany Kind of Sense — Mike Wheeler experiences Franz Joseph Haydn's opera buffa 'La Canterina'

Spotlight. Musical Siblings — Gerald Fenech heartily recommends Isata Kanneh-Mason's new Mendelssohn album. 'An enchanting album, sensitively performed and sumptuously recorded ...'

Ensemble. Intelligently Structured and Winningly Executed — Mike Wheeler is impressed by Fenella Humphreys and Martin Roscoe's Buxton Festival recital marking the centenary of the death of Gabriel Fauré

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

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Fourteen Ways to Create a Universe

Classical music news. Obituary — Benjamin Luxon (1937-2024)

Ensemble. Music of the Spheres — Mike Wheeler listens to an eclectic programme from pianist Ryan Drucker at the Buxton Festival

Classical music news. New Releases for August 2024 and Later — Browse a selection of new recordings

Classical music news. August 2024 Newsletter — Watch and listen to our August 2024 video newsletter - Initiating change, and the programming of living composers

Ensemble. Unanimity and Feel for Lively Interaction — Mike Wheeler hears music by Bridge, Elgar and Brahms from the Dante Quartet

Spotlight. An Enterprising Addition — Gerald Fenech listens to music by Karl Jenkins. '... the trump card of this issue must be Jess Gillam ...'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Walls come tumbling down

Ensemble. A Big Disappointment — In the last of his reports from the 2024 Buxton Festival, Mike Wheeler experiences Ethel Smyth's comic opera 'The Boatswain's Mate'

Ensemble. Invigorating, Appetising and Beguiling — Roderic Dunnett discovers Giuseppe Gazzaniga's 'Alcina's Island' at Bampton Classical Opera

Classical music news. Christopher Wheeldon's new ballet — A new ballet inspired by life and work of Oscar Wilde is to receive its first performances by the Australian Ballet and will be streamed worldwide

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

Syrinx — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Ensemble. More than just a stir — Lucas Ball listens to music by Chilcott, Mealor, Stanford and Whitacre at the 2024 Three Choirs Festival

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Familiarity breeds oblivion

Spotlight. Urinary Bladder Surgery? — Gerald Fenech recommends lusciously presented and recorded music by the French composer Marin Marais. '... charmingly descriptive music full of colourful expressiveness that is unjustly neglected.'

Classical music news. Punkt Kontrapunkt — A selection of forthcoming performances

Spotlight. Richly Coloured and Immediate — Gerald Fenech finds Yannick Nézet-Séguin's Brahms symphonies unmissable. '... charmingly descriptive music full of colourful expressiveness that is unjustly neglected.'

Classical music news. Emerging Genius — A biographical novel tells the tale of a talented but maligned composer, plus other news

Spotlight. Pleasant and Tuneful — Gerald Fenech finds Volume 4 of John Wilson's Eric Coates orchestral series charming, and looks forward to the next instalment. 'Splendidly performed and recorded ...'

Classical music news. Boston Philharmonic Orchestra — Staff changes and 2024/25 programme

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Happiness is a warm hand

Spotlight. A Superb Compendium — Gerald Fenech listens to Emőke Baráth, Philipe Estèphe and Le Concert Spirituel conducted by Hervé Niquet. '... the best of French late romantic sacred music in vibrant and heartwarming performances.'

Classical music news. Burkard Schliessmann — SOMM Recordings announces the exclusive signing of German pianist Burkard Schliessmann

'Obscure' Repertoire — Important advice for pianists

Spotlight. Hope and Rebirth — Keith Bramich enjoys a piano recital by Ross Salvosa. '... expert, secure and fluid interpretations ...'

Spotlight. A Sweeping Experience — Gerald Fenech listens to Raphaël Pichon's striking new version of Mozart's Requiem. '... overflowing with a shimmering musical light that sows joy and hope for the transcendent.'

Spotlight. The Tyranny of Consensus — John Dante Prevedini discovers a missing chapter in the history of electronic music in England. '... increased subtlety and variety of techniques employed ...'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Towards the flame

Ensemble. A Sumptuous Programme — Roderic Dunnett reports from the 2024 Three Choirs Festival in Worcester

Classical music news. Winchendon Music Festival — Andrew Arceci's Massachusetts-based concert series runs from 25-29 September 2024

Ensemble. Avian Humanoids in the Park — Keith Bramich takes a guided walk with a difference

Spotlight. Lofty Ideas — Gerald Fenech listens to music by Francesco Cilea. 'Performances are alive, clear and cheery.'

Classical music news. Pachelbel Carols — News from British composer and arranger Paul Ayres

Classical music news. September 2024 Newsletter — Our September 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — It tolls for thee

Spotlight. An Enchanting Recital — Gerald Fenech listens to a new recording by Roberto Alagna, celebrating the singer's sixtieth birthday. '... immaculately sung.'

Classical music news. Obituary — Alexander Goehr (1932-2024)

Spotlight. Deeply Moving Throughout — Gerald Fenech listens to Campra's 'Messe de Requiem'. '... an inspiring programme brimming with music of the utmost beauty and reverential nobility ...'

Classical music news. Finale's Last Year — A big shake-up in the world of music notation software

Classical music news. Community MusicWorks — A music hub in Providence, Rhode Island, USA announces a new building and performance space

Classical music news. Malcolm Arnold Festival — The nineteenth annual festival devoted to the music of English composer Malcolm Arnold will take place in October 2024

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — The blood-dimmed tide

Spotlight. Spaciousness and Openness — Geoff Pearce heartily recommends chamber music with oboe on period instruments. 'All the performers are very fine, but I am really amazed at the beauty of Emma Black's playing.'

Classical music news. Maria João Pires — The Portuguese pianist has been awarded the 2024 Praemium Imperiale 2024

Spotlight. Excellent New Restorations — Gerald Fenech strongly recommends music by Vaughan Williams, played by Frederick Grinke. '... really beautiful music and memorable performances ...'

Ensemble. In Nottingham's Albert Hall — Mike Wheeler feels privileged to hear works by young composers at a BBC Proms concert in Nottingham

Oswald — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Spotlight. Impeccable Phrasing and Control — Geoff Pearce enjoys music by Robert and Clara Schumann for oboe and piano. '... beautifully performed and recorded.'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — What's in a name?

Spotlight. The Composer as Social Researcher — John Dante Prevedini listens to music by the Daniel Pelton Collective. '... a successful investigation into the perennial question of classical music's broader accessibility ...'

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. Music in Context — Endre Anaru listens to Michael Kieran Harvey's 'The Sparrow and the Mead Hall'. 'Harvey has taken up the gauntlet thrown down by Zappa, added his own massive creativity and offers a challenge to listener ...'

AI and the Modern Music to Come — Some thoughts from A P Virag

Spotlight. Sensitively Recorded — Gerald Fenech enjoys the choral music of Hubert Parry. 'The results are truly stirring and the renditions are consistently warm and poignant ...'

Spotlight. Fresh and Varied — Geoff Pearce is glad to come across the wind music of British composer Brian Elias. '... the performances are superb ...'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Boiled alive!

Classical music news. Jaeden Izik-Dzurko — A young Canadian pianist has won the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition

Ensemble. Zubin Mehta returns home to Mumbai — Fareed Curmally attends two orchestral concerts given by the Symphony Orchestra of India

Spotlight. An Individualistic Style — Geoff Pearce listens to Frank Martin's music with flute. 'The performances are very good and totally convincing.'

Classical music news. Kosmos Tirana Music Festival — Jonian Ilias Kadesha presents the third edition of his new music festival in Albania

Spotlight. A Quite Remarkable Disc — Geoff Pearce enjoys music by Adrian Sutton. 'The BBC Philharmonic is on top form ...'

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

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — The Obscure Wait

Classical music news - Elim Chan — Intermusica Artists Management welcomes the young Hong Kong-born conductor

Classical music news. October 2024 Newsletter — Watch and listen to our October 2024 video newsletter - Composers, individuals or collective?

Ensemble. An Exciting New Performance Space — Ron Bierman visits the newly restored Jacobs Music Center in San Diego

Classical music news. Obituary — Rohan de Saram (1939-2024)

Classical music news - Clinkerstone — Michael Kearns' new novel, 'Clinkerstone', out now, has a strong musical element

Spotlight. Together — Keith Bramich listens to Arnaud Fillion's 'Kune'. 'surprisingly accessible, varied, mostly traditional sounding and upbeat.'

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — The Be All and End All

Classical music news - Mascagni a Cerignola — Announcing the world's first 'eye music' opera

Ensemble. Quite a Revelation — Mike Wheeler attends the first concert of Nottingham's new orchestral season, with John Storgårds conducting the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in music by Maurice Ravel, Camille Saint-Saëns and Igor Stravinsky

Classical music news. New Releases for October 2024 and Later — Browse a selection of new recordings

Classical music news. Obituary — Leif Segerstam (1944-2024)

Pettine — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Ensemble. Not the Longest Ever Written — Ron Bierman listens to Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony and a new work by Thomas Larcher in San Diego's newly renovated Jacobs Music Center

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Play it again, Tom

Spotlight. Quite a Challenge — Geoff Pearce enjoys Dobromir Tsenov's performances of L'ubomir Pipkov's piano music. 'Tsenov's commitment, stylish playing and clarity of execution are outstanding ...'

Classical music news. Paraorchestra — A Bristol-based orchestra is to perform at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music in the UK and at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Ensemble. Thoughtfully Put-together — Mike Wheeler attends a music and poetry event and concludes that further similar events would be well-received

Ensemble. Compelling Performance — Mike Wheeler listens to Robert Schumann, Schubert and Chopin, played by Turkish pianist Can Çakmur

Spotlight. Enjoyable and Colourful — Geoff Pearce discovers the music of Richard Stöhr. 'The orchestral playing by Sinfonia Varsovia and direction by Ian Hobson are excellent ...'

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

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Kids' Stuff

Spotlight. A Compelling Issue — Gerald Fenech strongly recommends a new recording of music by Gustav Holst and his contemporaries. '... performances are as charming as they are abundantly sensitive.'

Spotlight. An Interesting and Varied Release — Geoff Pearce recommends Hanni Liang's album of piano music by women composers. 'I was very impressed with the originality of this prgramme.'

Classical music news. Autumn in Finland — John Storgårds conducts a special concert in Lapland

Ensemble. Utterly Gripping — Mike Wheeler is pleased to hear Sheku Kanneh-Mason, John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London performing music by Kenneth Hesketh, Shostakovich and Rachmaninov

Spotlight. Strikingly Individual — Keith Bramich finds the music of Moses Pergament haunting, strange and sad. 'All the performances here are excellent.'

Ensemble. A Varied and Fascinating Evening — Keith Bramich experiences music by Noriko Koide, Saint-Saëns, Prokofiev and Bartók from pianist Mao Fujita and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Elim Chan, live at the Helsinki Music Centre in Finland

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Joy!

Classical music news. Finland and the Finnish — International Opera Awards, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Timo Mustakallio and Mirjam Helin Singing Competitions

Spotlight. Emotional Joy and Gladness — Gerald Fenech warmly recommends Christmas music from the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 'An enthralling compilation, flawlessly performed, that should prepare the listener for the celebrations of Christmastide, even at this early stage.'

The Bird Has Flown — Peter King says farewell to his favourite BBC Radio 3 'Saturday Breakfast' host, Elizabeth Alker

Ensemble. Sheer Originality — Mike Wheeler is engrossed by Walton, Bliss and Holst from Guy Johnston, Andrew Manze and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Classical music news. November 2024 Newsletter — Our November 2024 PDF newsletter has just been published

Ensemble. Unusually Memorable — Ron Bierman was in the audience for Mendelssohn, Bruch and Tchaikovsky from Paul Huang and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antonio Méndez

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Hard Time

Spotlight. Fascinating and Powerful — Gerald Fenech highly recommends Marc-André Hamelin's recent Hyperion recording of Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata. '... inspirational performances overflowing with arresting pianism.'

Spotlight. Most Welcome — Geoff Pearce listens to William Walton's complete songs. 'I was very impressed with the originality of this prgramme.'

Spotlight. Highly Prized — Gerald Fenech passionately recommends Anita Cerquetti singing Verdi. '... one of the greatest voices of the twentieth century ...'

Ensemble. Crushing Tragedy — Ron Bierman has mixed feelings about San Diego Opera's production of Puccini's 'La bohème'

Karynx — A classical music word search puzzle by Allan Rae

Classical music news. The Planets – Out of Darkness — John Challenger's new organ transcription of Holst's 'The Planets' is available in several formats

Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney — Heaven and Hell

Spotlight. Creating out of Nothing — Gerald Fenech recommends polyphony from the Belgian ensemble Graindelavoix. '... compelling ardour and moving beauty ...'

 

MOST RECENTLY PUBLISHED ARTICLES (HOMEPAGE)

ALL ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR (2023)