Classical music daily - Music and Vision - the world's first daily classical music magazine
Wednesday 19 September 2018

Aranis II. © 2007 Aranis  Torch. © 2018 Common Tone Records  Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947)  Vladimir Pikok in Rimsky-Korsakov's 'The Golden Peacock' in 1909  Ivo Petrić (1931-2018)  Leonard Bernstein in the 1950s  Kenneth Bowen (1932-2018)

                

 

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* CD Spotlight. Woolly Publicity - The Flemish septet Aranis, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'There's no doubting Aranis' outright professionalism and faultless ensemble; and the fifty-five minute programme has a degree of variety.'

* Anniversaries: Ernest Tomlinson; Geraint Evans; Joachim Tielke; Kurt Sanderling; Gustav Schirmer; Nikos Skalkottas; Francisco Feliciano

* Festivals, competitions and masterclasses: Beethovenfest (31 August-23 September); Bonn, DE; International Mendelssohn Festival (10-23 September); Hamburg, DE; George Enescu International Competition (1-23 September); Bucharest, RO

Recent Articles

CD Spotlight. Double Meanings? - Seattle-based ensemble Torch, heard by Keith Bramich. '... the music sounds modern, jazzy, light and almost aleatoric-sounding.'

Classical music news - Into The Higher World; more ...

Russian Political Satire - George Colerick writes about Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's extraordinary opera 'The Golden Cockerel'

Classical music news - Ivo Petric (1931-2018); Garsington Opera; more ...

Is this the meaning of my Life? - In Leonard Bernstein's anniversary year, George Colerick tells the story of the opera 'Candide', one of the twentieth century's great musical satires

Classical music news - Kenneth Bowen (1932-2018); Tallis Scholars; more ...

You spotted snakes - George Colerick muses on incidental music, with particular regard to Mendelssohn

Don't Forget the Singing - Richard Meszto previews Calgary Concert Opera Company's performances of 'La Traviata'

Classical music news - The Callas Experience; Bartók Composition Competition; more ...

CD Spotlight. Appealing Work - Music for euphonium, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... it's the lyrical selections that reveal Frey at his finest.'

Classical music news - Claudio Scimone (1934-2018); Organ Reframed; more ...

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Played - Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Cello Concerto, heard by Alice McVeigh. 'Brinton maintains a clear, sonorous and resonant sound even in the highest register, though he could perhaps have been willing to take a few more risks.'

CD Spotlight. Strong on Fascination - Music by Andrew Paul Macdonald, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... excellent performances/production values ...'

CD Spotlight. A Strong Impression - Prokofiev's ballet 'Romeo and Juliet' impresses Gerald Fenech. '... this interpretation has passion and drama aplenty, and climaxes are handled with meticulous control.'

Ensemble. A Musical and Social Bonanza - Roderic Dunnett continues his in-depth review of this year's Three Choirs Festival in Hereford

Ensemble. An Impervious Affair - 'Il Trittico' at the Puccini Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Poetic Inspirations - Music for oboe, viola and piano, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'Here ... is a chamber music CD qualifying emphatically as "a must" for eager music lovers everywhere. It doesn't get any better.'

Classical music news - An Immersive Experience - September 2018 Newsletter (PDF, 638kb); Peter Dickinson; Jeff Beal; Garsington Partnerships; Inge Borkh (1921-2018); Oxford Lieder Festival; John Poole; Joseph Phibbs; more ...

Classical music news - George Walker (1922-2018); more ...

CD Spotlight. Truly Refreshing - Orchestral music by Harbison, Ruggles and Stucky, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'On hearing this work, you will thirst for more.'

Ensemble. Lovers' Opera - Giovanni Pacini's 'Il Convitato di Pietra', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Inherent Sincerity - Violin and piano music by Oskar Morawetz, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'In committed, firmly etched performances, violinist Jasper Wood with pianist David Riley present a strong case for home listeners keen to explore unfamiliar violin music of the recent past.'

CD Spotlight. Mood Enhancing - 360 Degree Guitar Duo, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... ideal for relaxation with a chianti ...'

CD Spotlight. Spiritual Fervour - Music by Elgar for chorus and orchestra, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Highly enjoyable Elgar superbly recorded and performed.'

CD Spotlight. Beautifully Wrought - Orchestral music by Svend Erik Tarp delights Geoff Pearce. '... this disc left me thirsting for more from this composer, and from Scandinavian music generally.'

CD Spotlight. Inspiring Stuff - Hieronymus Praetorius and colleagues, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Sigla de Oro give some absolutely brilliant performances ...'

CD Spotlight. An Immersive Experience - Music by Craig Safan, experienced by Anett Fodor. 'The blending of classical instruments with new electronic techniques combined in melodious, catchy themes, resulting in an unusual orchestration.'

CD Spotlight. Versatility and Imagination - Choral music by Richard Rodney Bennett, appreciated by Gerald Fenech. 'Paul Spicer and his choristers give eloquent performances, full of precise details and expressive energy, and in their hands Bennett's imaginative prowess is brought to life with intense clarity.'

Ensemble. An Overwhelming Success - Pier Luigi Pizzi's new 'Barber of Seville' enthralls the Rossini Opera Festival, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Sparkling Wine and Wedding Cake - Rossini's 'Adina' in Pesaro, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Border Crossings - Mike Wheeler listens to Andy von Oppenkowski's recital as part of the Derby Cathedral organ series

  
Jenna Orkin: Writer Wannabe Seeks Brush With Death - From the heights of greatness (the Juilliard School; musicians Rosalyn Tureck and Nadia Boulanger) via way-ward paths to the depths of wickedness these reminiscences will entertain and enlighten.

Sponsored Features

'My Life on Earth and Elsewhere' - R Murray Schafer. © 2012 The Porcupine's QuillSo Much, for So Many. R Murray Schafer's 'My Life on Earth and Elsewhere', read by A P Virag

Mirian ContiA Seasoned Champion of New Music. Argentinian-American pianist Mirian Conti in conversation with Andrew Schartmann

Andrew Downes - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Ondřej Vrabec. © 2015 ArtesmonCD Spotlight. On Buoyant Form - Orchestral music by Andrew Downes, heard by Roderic Dunnett. '... varied, innovative, involving and absorbing.'

Philip Sawyers: Symphony No 3 / Songs of Loss and Regret / FanfareCD Spotlight. View from the Celli - Philip Sawyers' Symphony No 3 impresses Alice McVeigh. 'Pummelled strings rise turbulent beneath great brass chords: the entire fisting orchestra soars, confident, triumphant and united at last.'

Isabella Pitman and Tom Lowen in Freddie Meyers' new opera 'A Sketch of Slow Time'Ensemble. A Great Start - Freddie Meyers' new opera A Sketch of Slow Time impresses Alice McVeigh

Cecil Armstrong Gibbs. Photo: The Armstrong Gibbs SocietyEnsemble. Unjustly Neglected - In this specially extended feature, Armstrong Gibbs' re-discovered 'Passion according to St Luke' impresses Roderic Dunnett

Panorama 1919-2013 - Penelope Cave. © 2016 primafacieCD Spotlight. A Fantastic Collection. Penelope Cave Panorama CD. Little-known harpsichord gems, strongly recommended by Alice McVeigh

John Joubert and April Fredrick at the first performance of 'Jane Eyre'. Photo © 2016 Catherine GosneyEnsemble. A view from the pit - John Joubert's Jane Eyre, praised by Alice McVeigh

Art Fire Soul - Piano works of Judith Lang Zaimont. Elizabeth Moak. © 2011 Judith Lang ZaimontCD Spotlight. An Encyclopedic Recital - Elizabeth Moak plays Judith Lang Zaimont, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... a stature of compelling merit.'

James Brawn - A Beethoven Odyssey Volume 4. © 2015 James BrawnCD Spotlight. Pure Magic - James Brawn's continued Beethoven Odyssey, awaited by Andrew Schartmann. '.. generating excitement with raw textures ...'

L'Heure Romantique - Varda Kotler and Israel KastorianoCD Spotlight. Well Realized - Varda Kotler and Israel Kastoriano - recommended by Geoff Pearce. '.. partnership and sensitivity ...'

James Brawn in Recital. Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Bach-Busoni; Liszt; Rachmaninov. © 2013 MSR ClassicsCD Spotlight. True Command - James Brawn plays Bach, Liszt, Musorgsky and Rachmaninov - recommended by Andrew Schartmann. 'The "Promenade" ... is like butter in Brawn's hands.'

Jack Liebeck. Photo © 2014 Phillip CohenEnsemble. Melting Rhapsody - Malcolm Miller enjoys Jack Liebeck and Danny Driver's 'Hebrew Melody' recital, plus a recital by David Aaron Carpenter

Roberta Stephen. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Music CentreAn Integral Part - Lindsey Wallis looks forward to the Canadian Music Centre's tribute concert to composer Roberta Stephen

A Beethoven Odyssey, Volume 3 - James Brawn. © 2014 MSR ClassicsCD Spotlight. Masterful Handling - Volume 3 of James Brawn's Beethoven, praised by Andrew Schartmann. '... his interpretive choices are exquisite.'

A Beethoven Odyssey, Volume 2 - James Brawn. © 2013 MSR ClassicsCD Spotlight. Perfect Indeed - More Beethoven from James Brawn, recommended by Andrew Schartmann. '... a profound - almost spiritual - connection to the music ...'

A Beethoven Odyssey, Volume I - James Brawn. © 2013 MSR ClassicsCD Spotlight. Masterfully Controlled - James Brawn's Beethoven Odyssey impresses Andrew Schartmann. '... the movement bubbles over with excitement ...'

A Tale of Two Cellos - Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd WebberCD Spotlight. Uncommon Piquancy - Music for two cellos, heard by Howard Smith. '... riveting effect.'

Louise Talma (1906-1996)Letter to Louise Talma (Never Sent) - by Jenna Orkin

Sybil Michelow (1925-2013)Think of Something Beautiful - Malcolm Miller pays tribute to contralto Sybil Michelow (1925-2013)

Charles Gounod: Roméo et Juliette. © 2011 Bel Air MediaDVD Spotlight. Olympic Scale - Charles Gounod's Roméo et Juliette, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Musically the performance deserves all the applause it gets.'

John Joubert: String Quartets 1, 2, 3. Brodsky Quartet. © 2012 Somm RecordingsCD Spotlight. A Fascinating Recording - John Joubert's string quartets, heard by Alice McVeigh. 'The Brodskys throw themselves into the lament for Shostakovich ...'

Orrett Rhoden performs works for piano by Galuppi, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Brahms, Ravel and Rhoden / Bob Marley. © 2011 Dexter RecordingsCD Spotlight. Most Remarkable - Jamaican pianist Orrett Rhoden, heard by Bill Newman. '... one of the finest on disc ...'

Howells: Requiem; Take him, earth, for cherishing. Choir of Trinity College Cambridge / Stephen Layton. © 2012 Hyperion Records LtdCD Spotlight. Beautifully Apt - Choral music by Herbert Howells, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Howells at his finest.'

Anna Netrebko in Massenet's 'Manon' at New York Metropolitan Opera. Photo © 2012 Ken HowardVocal Glory - Massenet's Manon in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Rorianne Schrade. Photo © Christian SteinerAn Outstanding Evening - Bill Newman listens to American pianist Rorianne Schrade

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