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DENNY SMITH writes … That is a very interesting question! I’m a little unsure about what function the idea of “philosophical” intends here. But no composer with whom I’m familiar explored the deep philosophy of music, as some artists did, such as William Blake or Donald Judd (neither of whom I enjoy). Wagner’s fascination with […]
Published in 2018 The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra recently embarked on a tour of Asia with concerts conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and featuring Lang Lang. While in Beijing, several members of the orchestra, including oboist Albrecht Mayer, viola player Walter Küssner, cellist Ludwig Quandt and bassist Esko Laine, undertook masterclasses with music students from the Central […]
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Great public architecture generally expresses eloquently the society which builds it. For much of modern history, it was about the glorification of God. In more recent centuries, politics and power became the stronger focus: think of the mercantile grandeur of the Low Countries, the triumphant classical confidence of Paris, or, in Victorian Britain, of the […]
Kate Molleson reports on how the ‘classical’ music label is proving outdated for many of today’s creative artists and speaks to several musicians for whom the whole notion of genre is entirely irrelevant. Generic labels have always been more widely used by listeners, retailers and record companies than by musicians themselves (no musician wants to […]
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/sep/09/50-essential-symphonies-blog-what-have-we-missed-from-our-list
The delectable artistry of Maria João Pires makes the rendition of Beethoven’s Concertos an outstanding recording, says Geoffrey Norris Please click HERE to continue
Originally published November 2013 At first glance they made an odd couple, the jazz singer and the distinguished composer, but when it came to the intimate art of “songs at the piano” they had no rivals. This is their ….. Continues HERE
This is an powerful performance of Dvorák’s Violin Concerto, in which Julia Fischer is a soloist, says Geoffrey Norris. MORE
These are powerful, intuitive performances from Boris Giltburg playing Prokofiev: War Sonatas, writes Geoffrey Norris. Boris Giltburg (piano); Orchid Classics ORC 100023, £12.99 The focal sonata of Prokofiev’s wartime triptych is the Seventh, completed in 1942, a year after the Soviet Union entered the conflict. But images of war, its destructive power and the feelings […]
Alex Robinson, Preparing for a Career in Opera writes … One of my favorite composers, Jean Sibelius, had an incredibly sad life. This man has a national holiday in Finland on his birthday and his face on the 100 Mark note. He played a part in Finland’s struggle with Russia during the early 20th century […]
Conductor John Andrews has launched a new opera company to champion unknown and neglected works. It follows the success – including an Editor’s Choice – of his recent recording of Malcolm Arnold’s 1952 comedy The Dancing Master, about which Gramophone critic Richard Bratby wrote: ‘In short, it’s hard to imagine it done better. Arnold’s many […]
Featuring outstanding new albums released today by Sonya Yoncheva, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Danish Quartet, Gil Shaham, Arcangelo, Tara Erraught and more DETAILS
Erica Jeal writes ….. Cellists are lining up to pay tribute to Mstislav Rostropovich in what would have been his 90th year, but Alban Gerhardt’s is an especially apt homage, showcasing the Russian master’s commitment to expanding his instrument’s repertoire and popularity, at the same time as celebrating his sense of fun. It’s not a […]
As we know from the book and multi-award-winning film The Pianist, there are some extraordinary musical stories in the terrible devastation of Warsaw in WWII. Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman escaped the Warsaw ghetto and, after entrancing a Nazi officer by playing Chopin, managed to survive the Warsaw Uprising and return to his job at Polish […]
Exploring our genre-less musical past with The Alehouse Sessions Although I am a violinist specializing in Baroque music I have always considered myself as something of a free spirit and so, when I found myself increasingly engaged to follow the notes written on the page, I realized it was time to break loose and start […]
Gerhaher/Karg/Miles/ Bavarian Radio Choir and SO/Harding (BR Klassik, two CDs) Andrew Clements writes: Even Schumann’s greatest admirers – and I’d count myself among them – would never claim that his choral music is the most significant or rewarding part of his output. But Scenes from Goethe’s Faust, which he worked on for a decade and […]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnpy
Iestyn Davies is in demand as a recitalist, opera singer and West End star. But, says Lindsay Kemp, now with a Bach disc to add to his name, this countertenor still has his feet firmly on the ground Continues HERE