2013 CONTENTS

Articles published during the year 2013 are listed below in chronological order of publication, with the most recent at the top of the list:

• Ensemble. Holiday Ritual - Christmas music from the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, heard by Suzanne Torrey


• Ensemble. Alive and Well - Comic operas in Berlin, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Emotional Range - Shostakovich and Weinberg string quartets, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... virtuoso passages leap off the page with excitement ...'


• Ensemble. Solid and Dependable - Derby Choral Union's Messiah, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Feminism and Anti-colonialism - Meyerbeer's L'Africaine, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Rare Provenance - Sue Addison plays Elgar's own trombone, heard by Howard Smith. 'Recommended without hesitation.'


• DVD Spotlight. Panache and Style - Janácek's 'The Cunning Little Vixen', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much bewitching music ...'


• DVD Spotlight. Playful Fantasy - 'Die Zauberflöte' from Bregenz, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... sparkling cast ...'


• CD Spotlight. Style and Imagination - Paul McCreesh's Christmas album, recommended by Keith Bramich. '... high-quality British Christmas music from the Gabrieli Consort ...'


• CD Spotlight. Temporal Stasis - Olivier Messiaen's 'Vingt Regards', heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Evan Hirsch ... brings forth the very essence of Messiaen's vision.'


• DVD Spotlight. Battle of Wills - Erich Korngold's 'Die Tote Stadt', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... production and performance are in the safe hands of the Finnish National Opera ...'


• CD Spotlight. An Unqualified Winner - Christmas music from Voces 8, recommended by Howard Smith. '... breathtaking clarity.'


• Ensemble. Added Vibrancy - Mike Wheeler listens to a classy concert from the Sitwell Singers


• Ensemble. Stylish Women - Verdi's Falstaff in high definition, live from New York, by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Tonal Refinement - Christmas music from Derby Concert Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Verging on Truculence - Mike Wheeler listens to Kazakhstan-born pianist Samson Tsoy


• CD Spotlight. A Fresh Voice - Choral music by Bob Chilcott, heard by Andrew Schartmann


• CD Spotlight. Dramatic Effect - Harpsichord music by Handel, heard by Robert Anderson. '... exciting and eloquent throughout ...'


• CD Spotlight. Haunting Images - Mahler arranged by Schoenberg, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'An unusual interpretation of "Das Lied" in excellent sound and presentation ...'


• Ensemble. Innovation and Tradition - Verdi's 'La Traviata' at the start of La Scala's new season, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Winning Musicality - Obscure Polish piano concertos, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... power, fluency, and dynamic control ...'


• Ensemble. Astonishing Vocal and Physical Power - Britten's 'Death in Venice', heard by Mike Wheeler


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Modulation as a Rate of Change - On the Peasant-Bear Vignette from Stravinsky's Petrouchka


• Ensemble. Tension and Restlessness - More Britten, with Finzi and Holst, from Derby Bach Choir, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Delicious Buzzing - A new departure for Derby's Assembly Rooms, appreciated by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Confessions of a classical music agony aunt, with Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Real Verve - Markus Stenz conducts the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Intergenerational Conflict - Giuseppe Pennisi attended a successful performance of Verdi's 'Ernani' in Rome


• Ensemble. Always a Treat - Suzanne Torrey listens to David Fray, Marin Alsop and the Cleveland Orchestra in music by Barber, Schumann and Copland


• CD Spotlight. Infinite Hues - Zina Schiff plays Sibelius, Barber and Ben-Haim, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Barber's Violin Concerto ... is easily the highlight of the disc.'


• Ensemble. Last Gasp of Boyhood - Roderic Dunnett investigates Jubilee Opera's 'A Time There Was' for the Benjamin Britten centenary


• Ensemble. Endearingly Oddball - British music from Derby Choral Union, including Britten's 'Rejoice in the Lamb', heard by Mike Wheeler


• Buzzy Textures - Clare Hammond plays in Nottingham, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Liquid Velvet - Paul Wiffen listens to the new soprano-piano duo TangOpera


• Ask Alice - Aspects of Baroque, with Angela East, Pinchas Zukerman and classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Tragic Splendour - More Britten from Paul Daniel and the BBC Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Outstanding Productions - Opera North's Britten celebrations, with Mike Wheeler


• Profile. Inner Circle - Ron Bierman concludes his conversation with Nuvi Mehta


• Ensemble. Film Noir - 'The Magic Flute' from Berlin's Komische Oper, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Sterling Work - Choral music by Imogen Holst, heard by Robert Anderson. '... a notable and much overdue act of piety.'


• Profile. The Motive behind the Motive - Andrew Schartmann in conversation with Canadian composer Alan Belkin


• Ensemble. Brilliant Ideas - Verdi's Shakespeare trilogy in Ravenna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Vivid and Colourful - Two choirs join forces to celebrate the Britten anniversary, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Suave and Polished - Mike Wheeler discovers the Heath Quartet


• Ensemble. A Thrilling Journey into the Unknown - Malcolm Miller visits the London International Jazz Festival


• Ensemble. Enterprisingly Apt - A wide-ranging recital by Janey Miller and Susie Summers, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Intimate and Moving - The Ex Cathedra consort and continuo, heard by Keith Bramich


• DVD Spotlight. Conviction and Passion - Britten's 'Peter Grimes' at Teatro alla Scala, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a welcome centenary release.'


• Ask Alice - On 'La Forza del Destino', music education and realpolitik, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Harmonic Daring - Orchestral music by Prokofiev, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'The São Paulo Symphony respond with great sensitivity ...'


• Play, Reggio, Play! - Marching in the name of music, with Karen Haid


• DVD Spotlight. Collapsing Troy - Berlioz from Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much orchestral wizardry under Antonio Pappano ...'


• CD Spotlight. A Special Affinity - Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt from Viktor Bijelovic, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... beautiful voicing and highly sensitive phrasing.'


• Ensemble. Canonical from our Era? - Nico Muhly's opera 'Two Boys', reviewed by Gregory Moomjy


• CD Spotlight. Wholly Persuasive - Music by Fredrick Kaufman, heard by Howard Smith. 'Gekic, Drobinsky and the three conductors do excellently ...'


• Ask Alice - On Alma Deutscher and exploited talent, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Pure Enjoyment - 'Simon Boccanegra' in Turin, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Exploring the Darker Side - Dan Miller and Richard Hodges at Derby's Festival of Britten, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Conductor's Opera - Verdi's 'Falstaff' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Operas You've Probably Never Heard Of - Roderic Dunnett visits Wexford


• CD Spotlight. Prodigious Imagination - Markus Stenz conducts Richard Strauss, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... a resounding success ...'


• CD Spotlight. Very Exacting - J S Bach Motets, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The Rheinische Kantorei under Hermann Max survives triumphantly ...'


• CD Spotlight. An Unforgettable Image - Orchestral music by Marga Richter, heard by Patric Standford. '... sure craftsmanship ...'


• Ask Alice - Act I Scene I (on the doorstep), with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Matchless Virtuosity - Mendelssohn and Schumann violin concertos, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Barton Pine's heartfelt response to both slow movements is full of tonal beauty ...'


• Ensemble. A Grand Sea Symphony? - Giuseppe Pennisi was at a concert performance in Rome of Britten's 'Peter Grimes'


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


• CD Spotlight. Tonal Clothing - Slatkin conducts Rachmaninov, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Leonard Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform admirably.'


• Ensemble. A Lesson to be Learned - The Cleveland Orchestra welcomes back its music director Franz Welser-Möst, by Suzanne Torrey


• Ask Alice - An acute sense of political foreboding, and thinking outside the box with regard to practice time, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Profile. Story Line - Ron Bierman continues his conversation with Nuvi Mehta


• Ensemble. A Great Deal of Fun - Maria Nockin takes a whiff of an early Shostakovich opera


• CD Spotlight. Cologne Broadcasts - Edvard Grieg's symphonic music, heard by Howard Smith. '... spoilt for choice.'


• Ensemble. Mad Stampede - Viennese classics from the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Astonishing Performance - All of Beethoven's piano sonatas played in one day by Julian Jacobson, heard by Robert Anderson


• CD Spotlight. Extremely Well-crafted - British music for oboe and strings, heard by Patric Standford. '... a particularly valuable contribution to the catalogue.'


• Crisp Articulation - Mike Wheeler listens to Israeli pianist Ishay Shaer


• Ensemble. Good Sense - Turandot in Rome as written by Puccini, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Maximum Expressive Contrast - Henning Kraggerud and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra with Stéphane Denève, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - A visit to the theatre (ignoring the reviews), and praise for the latest Jason Seed Stringtet CD, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Rather Impressive - Mark Berry experiences English National Opera's 'Madama Butterfly'


• Ensemble. A Runaway Success - Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic impress Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Virtuoso Dazzle - Andrei Korobeinikov and the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Moscow, conducted by Nikolay Vinokurov, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Generous Weekend - The third William Alwyn Festival, attended by Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight. Deeply Affecting - Ian Bostridge sings Benjamin Britten, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Bostridge conveys the emotional content ... with unwavering conviction.'


• Ensemble. A Pleasant Surprise - Fauré, Britten and Franck in Cleveland, heard by Suzanne Torrey


• Ensemble. Power and Delicacy - Eloisa-Fleur Thom and Mark Austin, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Why it could be hogwash that all high achievers are musicians, by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Youthful Compoaers - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to contemporary music at two Italian festivals


• A Chance Encounter - Nuvi Mehta, the voice of the San Diego Symphony, talks to Ron Bierman


• CD Spotlight. Masterfully Controlled - James Brawn's Beethoven Odyssey, impresses Andrew Schartmann. '... the movement bubbles over with excitement ...'


• Ensemble. A Better Fit - Wagner and Britten in the Umbrian Hills, reported by Giuseppe Pennisi


• A Nostalgic Read - Personal memories of Liverpool's Playhouse Theatre, read by Gerald Fenech


• Ask Alice - On disruption, builders, orangeries and moving home, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. The Highest Artistic Level - Maria Nockin loved The Met's 'Eugene Onegin' streamed live in HD


• CD Spotlight. An Attractive Simplicity - Choral music by Margaret Rizza, heard by Patric Standford. '... appealing choral textures ...'


• Ensemble. Highest Accolades - Gerald Fenech enjoys his visit to Festival Maribor in Slovenia


• CD Spotlight. An Awkward Mix - Contemporary music for strings, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... Burwasser sets himself apart from the others with music that exhibits a strong sense of form and proportion ...'


• CD Spotlight. Orchestral Vivacity - Music by Emma Lou Diemer, heard by Patric Standford. '... some undoubted aptitude ...'


• Ensemble. A Gripping Start - Sunkwook Kim, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra in Nottingham impress Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Unerring Artistry - Wendy Warner plays Haydn and Myslivecek, recommended by Howard Smith. '... her beguiling performances are alive with consistent ebullience ...'


• Mixed Reviews - Gregory Moomjy discusses docu-opera, bad language, taboo subjects and negative reviews in the context of Mark-Anthony Turnage's 'Anna Nicole'


• Ensemble. Searingly Passionate - Katherine Jenkinson and Ning Kam open Derby Chamber Music's new season, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Eagerly Awaited - Opening night at Severance Hall, by Suzanne Torrey


• CD Spotlight. Tradition and Novelty - Music by Lera Auerbach, heard by Andrew Schartmann. 'Her music is competently crafted and deeply affecting.'


• Ensemble. Forever Ingrained - Gregory Moomjy pays tribute to New York City Opera


• Ensemble. Joy for the Soul - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Sagra Musicale Umbra


• CD Spotlight. Always Effective - Orchestral music by Louis Théodore Gouvy, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... definitely worth your attention.'


• Ensemble. Rather Extraordinary - Alec Roth's new string quartet, heard by Keith Bramich


• CD Spotlight. A Fine Protagonist - Isabelle Faust plays Bartók violin concertos, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Daniel Harding has accompanied with alert sensitivity ...'


• Ensemble. A Good Night for Singing - Los Angeles Opera's 'Carmen', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Genuinely Offensive - Cameron Watson plays C P E Bach and Beethoven, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... nothing can save Watson from his erratic and ill-conceived interpretation of the music ...'


• Ensemble. Extremely Visual - Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele at San Francisco Opera, heard by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Excellent Material - A look at Tobias Picker and Sandy McClatchy's fascinating new opera Dolores Claiborne, by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - On corruption and music competitions, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Oversized Lieder - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Schoenberg in Bucharest


• CD Spotlight. Rousing and Passionate - Orchestral music by Ignacy Dobrzynski, heard by Howard Smith. 'The concerto ... is ebullient and brilliantly served by Emilian Madey.'


• CD Spotlight. Musically Engaging - English recorder works played by Jill Kemp, heard by Patric Standford. '... a virtuoso performer ...'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Pop Music and the Classical Idiom. Part IV: Waltzing with Super Mario


• Ensemble. Trends and Tendencies - Contemporary music at the Enescu Festival, discussed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• DVD Spotlight. Unstinted Commitment - Janáček's Cunning Little Vixen, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech


• Ask Alice - On giving up the cello and working alongside builders, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Gripping and Engrossing - 'Otello' in an immigration camp at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi


• DVD Spotlight. Blissful Serenity? - Massenet's 'Don Quichotte', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The Sofia pit has performed throughout with a rationality that appears only fitfully on stage.'


• CD Spotlight. Mature Style - Music by Gershwin and David Nisbet Stewart, heard by Howard Smith. '... Stewart's impressive Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.'


• Ensemble. Thanksgiving and Transcendence - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to orchestral and chamber concerts at the Salzburg Summer Festival


• Radojkovic in Lower Hutt - Howard Smith describes the Serbian pianist's return to New Zealand


• Ask Alice - On nephews and aunts, agony and non-agony, and the employability of pianists, with Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. First Water - The latest disc from Roger Argente's Superbrass, recommended by Paul Sarcich. 'Who but the best professionals could live up to this?'


• Ensemble. Very Scrupulous - An unusual Salzburg 'Ring', appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. In Perfect Balance - Mendelssohn from Laura Buruiana and Ferenc Vizi impresses Andrew Schartmann. 'Their playing is musical to the very core and their technique flawless.'


• CD Spotlight. Unrivalled Insights - Music by Hindemith for viola and piano, heard by Howard Smith. '... among the most fulfilling instrumental CDs I have encountered ...'


• Ensemble. New Directions - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Mozart, Verdi and Wagner operas from Salzburg's summer festival


• Ask Alice - On embarrassing looks from guys in orchestras, and the return of Manolos the Cretan mouse, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Fire and Energy - Peter Gould provides a compelling end to Derby Cathedral's summer organ series, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Filigree Textures - Contemporary music for orchestra, heard by Patric Standford. 'The orchestration is neatly balanced by an expert hand ...'


• CD Spotlight. Poise and Serenity - Piano music by Alexander Chapman Campbell, heard by Keith Bramich. '... there are signs that ... Campbell ... knows exactly what he's doing.'


• CD Spotlight. Impressive Virtuosity - Contemporary classical works for small ensemble, heard by Patric Standford. '... a splendidly recorded recital of small-scale pieces ...'


• CD Spotlight. A Formidable Achievement - Music by Newton D Strandberg, heard by Patric Standford. '... well worth serious acquaintance.'


• Ensemble. A Turning Point - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the 2013 Torre del Lago Festival for a new international production of 'Tosca' and a performance of 'Rigoletto' with young singers


• Technique and Musicianship - Tony Westerman is impressed by the organ playing of Tom Corfield


• CD Spotlight. Melancholic Treatment - Iberian and Latin solo piano music, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Rosa Antonelli over-caresses most of these nostalgic Latin pieces.'


• CD Spotlight. Brightly Scored - Orchestral music by Jan van der Roost, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... colourful and indeed striking ...'


• Ensemble. Exhilarating Music - Verdi, Rossini, Offenbach, Mozart and Theodore Morrison at Santa Fe Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Good Music makes Good Money - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the 2013 Rossini Opera Festival


• DVD Spotlight. Cooperative Cauliflower - Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The best and worst of this production can be grasped at once ...'


• Ensemble. Smoothly Compatible - Malcolm Troup is witness to the manual (four-handed) marriage of two musical missionaries


• Ensemble. A Rich Musical Season - Summer opera in Rome, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. A Sense of Joy - The Gough Duo at Derby Cathedral impresses Tony Westerman


• Ensemble. Inspiration and Confidence - Mozart's Magic Flute at Nevill Holt Opera impresses Roderic Dunnett


• Ask Alice - On practising, sharing, caring and monkeys, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


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


• Subliminal Messages - Evoke your musical senses with Vermeer, by Ellen MacDonald-Kramer


• Wacky and Serious - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Ben Bloor's command of the Derby Cathedral organ


• CD Spotlight. Crystalline Intensity - La Nuova Musica's Vivaldi and Handel impresses Howard Smith. '... recommendable for its baroque verisimilitude and clarity.'


• Ensemble. Household Rituals - Contemporary and modern music at Aix-en-Provence, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ask Alice - On marketing rosin, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Velvet Quality - Violin lullabies from Rachel Barton Pine, heard by Howard Smith. '... soporific, inescapable uniformity.'


• Outstanding Playing - An organ recital by John Kitchen, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Jaw-droppingly Compelling - A Sciarrino and Maxwell Davies double bill from Music Theatre Wales, by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Different Women - 'Electra' and 'Elena' at Aix-en-Provence, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Higher Truth - The Wihan Quartet plays Schubert, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... one of the most important interpreters ...'


• Ensemble. Terrific Energy - A short double bill from Buxton's Young Artists programme, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Beautifully Judged - Ravel for piano duet, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Fresh Insights - Paul Kildea discusses work on his recent book about Britten, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. A Quality Acquisition - John Rutter from Tewkesbury, heard by Howard Smith. '... strikingly effective ...'


• Ask Alice - On finding a job, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Admirable Clarity - Andrew Kirk at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Beautifully Delivered - The Academy of Ancient Music reminds us of Handel's early career in Rome, by Ellen MacDonald-Kramer


• Ensemble. Typically Convoluted - Mike Wheeler returns to Buxton for Vivaldi's 'Ottone in Villa'


• CD Spotlight. Mesmerizing Creations - Music by Anthony Piccolo, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... a well-rounded perspective on his musical style.'


• CD Spotlight. Predominantly Sorrowful - Weinberg's 'Polish Flowers' Symphony impresses Patric Standford


• Ensemble. Incredibly Welcome - Roderic Dunnett visits Grange Park Opera for Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin'


• Ask Alice - On fruit cakes and mad persons, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Long Way To Go - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Tunisia's El Jem Symphony Festival


• A Beethoven Sandwich - Malcolm Troup's recital, heard by Julian Jacobson, also featured Bloch and Britten


• Quiet Dignity - Organist David Pipe at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Competent Performance - Music by Chávez, Moncayo and Zyman, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... perhaps more important as a historical statement ...'


• Ensemble. Wild and Powerful - Joshua Bell's Tchaikovsky in San Diego impresses Ron Bierman


• CD Spotlight. Lively Forms - Music by Joaquín Turina, heard by Patric Standford. '... superbly performed ...'


• Ensemble. Enjoyably Daft - Mike Wheeler experiences Mozart's 'La Finta Giardiniera' at Buxton


• Ask Alice - Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh is excited, and it's not about music


• Ensemble. Colourful Treatment - French comedies launch the Buxton Festival, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Triumphant Climax - Five organists at two organs open this year's series of Derby Cathedral organ recitals, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Authentic Portrayals - 'Aloha, Mozart' by Waimea Williams, read by Kelly Ferjutz


• CD Spotlight. Greatest of Pleasure - Tchaikovsky and Mahler from Goldstone and Haitink, heard by Bill Newman. '... moving in the extreme.'


• CD Spotlight. Prolific Output - Orchestral music by Eugene Zádor, heard by Howard Smith. 'The Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV glows in this adjunct to Tinseltown.'


• Ensemble. Soothing the Barons - Eleventh to fifteenth century vocal and instrumental music from Fleurs de Lys, enjoyed by Keith Bramich


• Ensemble. Bursting with Vitality - Mendelssohn and Beethoven from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra thrilled Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Quite Splendid - American vocal and symphonic music, heard by Bill Newman. '... much enjoyment and interest ...'


• CD Spotlight. Quiet but Clear - Beethoven's Op 18 String Quartets, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... the Allegri's light touch works.'


• Ensemble. Deeply Moving - Britten's 'Curlew River' in Rome, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Spine-Tingling - Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 in Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Interpretative Compass - Jennifer Koh plays Bach and more, heard by Howard Smith. '... divine, finely-spun tone ...'


• Ask Alice - Dealing with modern flower power, by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Bitter Reflection - A half-baked 'Don Pasquale', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Black-sheep Relative - American saxophone concertos, heard by Ron Bierman. '... the two premieres are definitely worth hearing.'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Pop Music and the Classical Idiom. Part III: Classical Music and its 8-bit Suit


• CD Spotlight. Artistic Merit - Music for saxophones, heard by Bill Newman. '... daring and exploratory.'


• CD Spotlight. Nostalgic and Enthralling - A Joan Sutherland portrait, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a fitting tribute to the singing legend from Australia ...'


• CD Spotlight. Scrupulously Represented - Chamber music by Kurt Rohde, heard by Howard Smith. '... dramatic and powerfully intimate.'


• Ensemble. Real Power - Three one act operas exploring the condition of women, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Ebullient Temperament - Unfamiliar delights from Trio Solis, recommended by Patric Standford. '... a superb recording of very fine ensemble playing.'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Pop Music and the Classical Idiom. Part II: Creative Quotations


• Ensemble. Dramatic Effect - Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas' in the Roman Gym impresses Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Riveting Stuff - Spanish early music in the new world, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'All thirty tracks have a charm of their own ...'


• Ask Alice - Modern bow or baroque bow? with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Shimmering Performances - Jean Richafort's Requiem, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... worthy of the most scrupulous investigation.'


• Ensemble. Different Styles - Antonio Pappano's 'Un Ballo in Maschera' impresses Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Oddly-Tempered - J S Bach from Don Freund, explored by Andrew Schartmann. '... all the quirkiness of a Gould performance, but little of the talent.'


• CD Spotlight. Lively and Entertaining - A portrait of Antony Hopkins, heard by Patric Standford. '... a warm and generous tribute ...'


• CD Spotlight. Mostly Excellent - Smetana's 'The Bartered Bride', heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... a fine performance ...'


• CD Spotlight. Enjoyable Performances - Tasmin Little plays Strauss and Respighi, heard by Ron Bierman. '... a winning program ...'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Pop Music and the Classical Idiom. Part I: Pachelbel Lives


• CD Spotlight. Last Musician - Orchestral music by Michael Mauldin, heard by Howard Smith. '... the Moravian ensemble sounds rather congested.'


• DVD Spotlight. Imperial Power - Pergolesi's 'La Salustia', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much memorable singing ...'


• Ask Alice - Cello repertoire suggestions from classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Fighting for Freedom - A new start for 'Il Trionfo di Clelia'? Giuseppe Pennisi has his doubts


• Ensemble. Major Joys - Los Angeles Philharmonic's 'The Marriage of Figaro' delights Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Political Allegory - Wagner's 'Götterdämmerung' at La Scala Milan, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part VI: Small Ternary Form


• CD Spotlight. Deeply Soulful - Music for viola and piano by women composers, heard by Howard Smith. '... each woman would be delighted ...'


• Ensemble. Searing Performances - J S Bach's 'St John Passion' from Music of the Baroque conducted by Jane Glover, enjoyed by Barbara Sealock


• Ensemble. A Memorable Rendition - Puccini's 'Tosca' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Spiritual Heroism - Grieg and Sibelius from John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic impress Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Gentle and Lyrical - Symphonies by James Cohn, heard by Patric Standford. '... persuasive championship of new music ...'


• Live Music for Ballet - Geoff Fallon discusses its importance


• Ensemble. Vividly Colourful - Nikolaj Znaider conducts the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Musical Spirit - Berlioz overtures, heard by Howard Smith. '... commendable intuition and skillfulness ...'


• Ensemble. Beautifully Captured - Mike Wheeler listens to the Mavron Quartet


• Ask Alice - Leaded bows and rackets for classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Restrained Intensity - Mike Wheeler drops in on the City of London Sinfonia's Fauré Requiem tour


• Ensemble. Political Tragedy - Giuseppe Pennisi attended a performance of Wagner's 'Rienzi' in Rome


• Ensemble. A Fascinating Insight - Georg Tintner's 'The Ellipse' and music by other Viennese émigrés, heard by Malcolm Miller


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part V: Some Notes on Composition


• Ensemble. Somewhat Different - Handel's 'Giulio Cesare' live in HD fascinated Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Historically Significant - 'Didone Abbandonata' by Johann Hasse, heard by Howard Smith. 'Michael Hofstetter directs a consistently dramatic, high tensile performance.'


• Ask Alice - Reminiscences of János Starker, from classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Virtuoso Storm - Alexander Romanovsky joins Cristian Mandeal and the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. Considerable Turmoil - 'La Battaglia di Legnano', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Verdi patriotic is not necessarily Verdi at his most subtle.'


• Ensemble. Troubles in Florence - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino


• CD Spotlight. Shining Through - The classical inheritance of Schubert's Symphonies impresses Andrew Schartmann. '... a fascinating perspective ...'


• CD Spotlight. A Controversial Figure - Choral works by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Soloists and choral singing are of the utmost quality ...'


• Ensemble. Prism of Time - Malcolm Miller looks back to a Simon Bainbridge performance last summer, and forward to Wigmore Hall's Bainbridge Study Day this month


• Ask Alice - On cello elbow and the ultra-trendy, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Warmly Resonant - J S Bach's B minor Mass, heard in Derby Cathedral by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Interesting and Dramatic - Liszt's Dante Symphony and Antonio Estévez's Cantata Criolla, heard by Maria Nockin


• The Life of Antonio Vivaldi - Susan Budig's short poem about Venice's 'Red Priest', composed in the form of a classical rondeau


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part IV: Hybrid Themes


• CD Spotlight. War and Peace - Music by Karabits and Silvestrov, heard by Howard Smith. 'Another enterprising feather in Naxos' richly plumaged cap.'


• Ensemble. A Popular Success - Some harsh criticism from Gregory Moomjy on Offenbach's 'La Périchole' at New York City Opera


• Ensemble. Vibrant and Wild - Wagner's 'Flying Dutchman' enthralls Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Warmth and Clarity - Smetana, Beethoven and Dvořák from The Czech Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler


• A Thoughtful Account - Richard Uttley plays Beethoven, Grieg, Britten, Bartók, Debussy, Timothy Jackson, Liszt and Schumann, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - On dealing with the USA Embassy in London, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Consummate Skill - Music for newly designed oboes impresses Patric Standford. '... as fascinating and challenging as it is revelatory.'


• CD Spotlight. Somehow Different - Joshua Pierce's tribute to John Cage, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... either hypnotic or annoyingly eccentric.'


• Ensemble. Rhythm and Irony - Eighteenth century Neapolitan cello concertos fascinate Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Infinite Changes - Sally Pinkas plays Fauré, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... fine interpretations of this underplayed repertoire.'


• DVD Spotlight. An Operatic Cinderella - Verdi's 'Il Corsaro' impresses Robert Anderson. '... a very sensitive staging ...'


• DVD Spotlight. Quite Riveting - Pergolesi's 'L'Olimpiade' impresses Gerald Fenech. '... sound and visuals are top-drawer stuff.'


• CD Spotlight. Neo-classical Verve - Music by victims of the Nazi death camps, heard by Howard Smith. 'Worth its weight and then some, in Euros.'


• Ask Alice - From Crete to Locksbottom, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• So Much, For So Many - R Murray Schafer's 'My Life on Earth and Elsewhere', read by A P Virag


• Ensemble. A Complex Plot - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of Verdi's 'Don Carlo' in Turin


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part III: Analysis in Practice


• CD Spotlight. New Light - Music from eighteenth century Mexico, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'A peach of a disc ...'


• CD Spotlight. Intimate Style - Schubert's String Quintet in C pleases Stephen Francis Vasta. '... unusually sensitive, freshly considered ...'


• Ensemble. Totally Authentic - 'The Marriage of Figaro' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - On buying glass double basses (and other items) on eBay, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Profoundly Moving - Sibelius and Elgar from Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Black and White - Saint-Saëns' 'Samson' as envisaged by La Fura dels Baus, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Rewarding Listening - The McCormick Percussion Group, heard by Paul Sarcich. '... much to delight the ear.'


• CD Spotlight. European Impressionism - Quartets by Ravel, Debussy and Saint-Saëns, heard by Howard Smith. '[Quatuor Modigliani] attack it with some vehemence.'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part II: The Period


• Ensemble. Mature or Immature? - Roderic Dunnett asks some questions about 'Die Feen', a Wagner rarity performed recently by Chelsea Opera Group


• CD Spotlight. A Manipulating Baton - Rachmaninov orchestral music, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Vasily Petrenko gives us an extreme interpretation ...'


• Ensemble. Stylized and Abstract - Bartók and Cambodian music in Monte Carlo, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi


• An Invaluable Book - Gergely Hubai's 'Torn Music: Rejected film scores, a selected history', recommended by Patric Standford


• Ensemble. Young Turks in Kensington - Jaqueline Tu, Ensemble 111 and Thibauld Back de Surany, heard by Michael Tremberth


• CD Spotlight. Vividly Atmospheric - Music by composers in Theresienstadt, heard by Howard Smith. 'The Nash players' programme is presented with their customary aplomb ...'


• Ask Alice - Ten years to the day since the very first 'Ask Alice', our classical music agony aunt celebrates in the way she knows best


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part I: The Sentence


• Ensemble. Tough Satire - Alexander Raskatov's 'A Dog's Heart', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Fierce Snarling - Sinfonia Viva's latest schools residency project, experienced by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Vindictive Depths - Mike Wheeler was at Opera North's 'Otello'


• Ensemble. Involving and Engrossing - Derby Bach Choir's St John Passion impresses Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Expert Young Performers - Haydn's 'Creation' at Harrow School, heard by Robert Anderson


• Ensemble. Breaking Silence - Gergely Madaras conducts Sinfonia Viva, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Startlingly Effective - Purcell and Poulenc from Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Truly Powerful - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Ravenna's first performance of Britten's 'The Rape of Lucretia'


• Ask Alice - Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh is spotted in Yorkshire, playing solo cello


• CD Spotlight. Unreservedly recommended! - Songs inspired by Billy Collins, heard by Howard Smith. 'The florid accompaniment with piano trio seemed wholly apt to me.'


• Ensemble. Theatrical Genius - Rossini's 'La Cenerentola' delights Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Deeply Moving - Handel, Elgar and Mahler, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Gutsy Performances - Enescu cello sonatas, heard by Howard Smith. '... perfectly rounded and the intonation irreproachable.'


• Ensemble. A Real Thriller - Makropoulos in the Lagoon, with Giuseppe Pennisi


• DVD Spotlight. Divine Permission - A Gluck double bill, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The musical performance under Marc Minkowski is more convincing than the staging ...'


• Ensemble. Shimmer, Sizzle and Shock - Roderic Dunnett is enthralled by Alban Berg's 'Lulu', currently on tour with Welsh National Opera


• Rich Colours - Mike Wheeler listens to the Eblana String Trio and pianist Andrew Dunlop


• CD Spotlight. Profoundly Eloquent - Couperin's Lamentations, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Robert King and his superb forces give absorbingly committed performances ...'


• Ease of Technique - Malcolm Miller listens to the competitors at the 2013 Beethoven Junior Intercollegiate Piano Competition


• CD Spotlight. Distinctive Skillfulness - Musical stories for narrator and orchestra, heard by Howard Smith. 'Prokofiev, Britten and Dukas slot together to vivid effect.'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The 'Physics' of Music. On Musical Momentum and its Compositional Implications


• CD Spotlight. Tip Top Music - Tine Thing Helseth and Kathryn Stott, heard by Howard Smith. 'Ever full of daring ...'


• CD Spotlight. Enduring Legacy - Sibelius symphonies, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an important enterprise ...'


• Impressive Control - A piano recital by Richard Uttley, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Advice about repair work on string bows, from Classical Music agony advertaunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Thunderous Send Off - John Adams and Peter Sellars' 'The Gospel According to the Other Mary' begins a European tour, and impresses Maria Nockin


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


• Ensemble. Fatal Obsession - Wagner's 'Flying Dutchman' at Los Angeles Opera, experienced by Maria Nockin


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Two tales of the Rising Sun. On Depicting Nature in Music


• Ensemble. Cosmic Pessimism - Verdi's rarely performed 'I Due Foscari', experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Tonal Resources - Inesa Sinkevych plays Schubert, heard by Howard Smith. '... pleasingly enterprising.'


• DVD Spotlight. A Real Achievement - Gioacchino Rossini's 'Adelaide di Borgogna', recommended by Robert Anderson. '... the Bologna singers and players ... respond finely to every nuance ...'


• Ensemble. Seductive Intensity - Richard Wagner's 'Parsifal' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera impresses Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Exhilaratingly Refreshing - Yutaka Sado and the BBC Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Striking Effect - Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd', heard by Howard Smith. 'A "killer diller" on all counts.'


• Ensemble. Anything Goes - A shocking 'Die Walküre', experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Beautifully Judged - Mike Wheeler listens to Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen


• Ensemble. A Special Chemistry - Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey


• Ask Alice - When Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh tried to cut down on coffee


• Ensemble. Much Awaited - Bayreuth's 'Das Rheingold' previewed in Rome, as experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. A Big Splash - Maria Nockin watches 'Rigoletto' from the Met, live in HD


• CD Spotlight. Light Colour - Orchestral music by José Elizondo and David Tanner, heard by Patric Standford. '... music for enjoyment ...'


• The Magic of Performance - Part II - On the Elusive Nature of the Nationalist Spirit in Music, by Andrew Schartmann


• Ensemble. Something more Exotic - Camels on the Silk Road, experienced by Roderic Dunnett


• Ensemble. Cruelly Written Out - Simon Broughton listens to works by Gideon Klein and Hans Krása


• CD Spotlight. A Winning Combination - Songs, ballads and rondos based on Haydn, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... unfailingly practiced in late eighteenth century performing style ...'


• Ensemble. Nimble Playing - Music for saxophone and piano played by Huw Wiggin and James Sherlock, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Sweet and Sour - Adolphe Adam's 'Giselle', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Monumental Effect - Three companies combine forces, experienced by Maria Nockin


• The Magic of Performance - Part I - Some thoughts on the performing artist's role in the 21st century, by Andrew Schartmann


• Ensemble. Close Encounters - Maria Nockin listens to Yehuda Hanani, Erin Keefe and Jeffrey Swann


• Life around the Piano - Pianos and Wine - Jaqueline C Tu compares the selection of alcohol and musical instruments


• Ask Alice - On the hugely brave Frances Andrade, by her friend and Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Novel Results - The first release on Robert King's new label, heard by Robert Anderson. '... may lack something in grandeur but nothing in subtlety.'


• Especially Brilliant - An evening of piano music from Giuseppe Andaloro, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Orchestral Colours - Garry Walker conducts Sinfonia Viva, heard by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Wholly Inspiring - A recital by Elaine Huckle, heard by Howard Smith. '... her tonal resources are robust and the delivery pleasingly straightforward.'


• Ensemble. Unsex Me Here - Verdi, Shakespeare and Macbeth's lust for power, by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ask Alice - Why the Ulster Orchestra is the most important orchestra in the UK, by Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. A Marvelous Listen - Hymn tunes played by William Neil, experienced by Gerald Fenech. '... spectacular and life enhancing ...'


• CD Spotlight. Picturesque Allure - Maurice Ravel's orchestral music, heard by Howard Smith. '... gently hypnotic ...'


• CD Spotlight. Dazzling Tracks - Dinu Lipatti, heard by Joanne Chang. '... skillfully and brilliantly carried out.'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - A Change of Face. 'Character Development' in Mozart's Symphony in G minor, K 183


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


• Fromage Dangereux - French-Canadian pianist Louise Bessette, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Deeply Sensitive - Mike Wheeler listens to the European Union Chamber Orchestra


• Ensemble. Luscious Vocal Colors - 'Tosca' at AZ Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - On identifying works of music, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Think of Something Beautiful - Malcolm Miller pays tribute to contralto Sybil Michelow


• CD Spotlight. Communicative Aplomb - Joseph Rackers' debut recording, heard by Howard Smith. '"Eureka" moments ... are conspicuous by their absence.'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Listening with New Ears. A Listening Strategy for Webern's String Trio


• Ensemble. Technically Perfect - Suzanne Torrey listens to and watches Joshua Bell


• Ensemble. A Key Flaw - If 'Das Rheingold' becomes a comedy, by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ask Alice - An encounter with Birtwistle's Minotaur at Covent Garden, for Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Poignant Heroine - Donizetti's 'Maria Stuarda' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Innovative Content - A piano journey on the Danube, with Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Quite Sublime - Sacred music by Antonio Maria Bononcini, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... an issue that oozes beauty ...'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - An Exercise in Self-Constraint. Non-conventional Harmony in Poulenc's Sonata for Flute and Piano


• Life around the Piano - In the first of a new series, Jaqueline C Tu describes a tussle with a small pianist


• Ensemble. New Tricks? - Giuseppe Pennisi discusses a sexy 'Falstaff' at La Scala


• Ask Alice - To memorise or not to memorise, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Inescapably Attentive - British music for piano duo, heard by Howard Smith. '... Mercury emerges with captivating ethereal qualities.'


• CD Spotlight. Truth in Music - The Zodiac Trio, heard by Keith Bramich. '... young wine, already highly palatable ...'


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - From Pedantry to Masterwork. A Note on Chopin's Étude in C major, Op 10, No 1


• CD Spotlight. Elegant Precision - A recital by Charlotte de Rothschild, heard by Howard Smith. '... consistently reliable ...'


• Ensemble. Sophisticated Musical Evenings - The legacy of Giacinto Scelsi twenty-five years on, by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Much Playfulness - Beethoven cello sonatas and variations, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Fournier and Gulda give Handel a rousing send-off ...'


• Ensemble. Pure Gold - Berlioz's 'Les Troyens' live in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Immediate Appeal - Music for cello, piano and Korean drums, heard by Howard Smith. 'Greenberg's sonata ... deserves a recognized place in the cello and piano repertory.'


• Ensemble. Still Radical - Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi


• Ensemble. Perennial Themes - A winter programme from Passamezzo, heard by Emma Tristram


• Ensemble. Agile and Impassioned - J S Bach's Suites for solo cello, heard by Michael Tremberth


• CD Spotlight. Rural Delight - Edvard Grieg's Lyric Pieces, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Rubinstein clearly relishes the range of opportunities provided ...'


• Ensemble. Highly Appreciated - Music by Vivaldi in the churches of Rome, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi


• CD Spotlight. Competition is Savage - Smetana, Dvorák and Freddie Mercury, heard by Howard Smith. '... performances to bask in.'


• Ask Alice - Swift advice to hit the bottle, from Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Virtually Unknown - Piano music by Federico Ruiz, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Clara Rodríguez ... has the right touch and interpretation for all of Ruiz's many styles.'


• Ensemble. Sturm und Drang - The Gould Piano Trio, heard by Michael Tremberth


• Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Servant to no one. In the first of an occasional series, Andrew Schartmann examines Beethoven's Op 2 No 2 and the rise of the romantic artist