2002 CONTENTS

Articles published during the year 2002 are listed below in chronological order of publication, with the most recent at the top of the list:

• Ensemble. Latin American blend - Malcolm Miller applauds Alberto Portugheis in recital


• Book review. The narrator's function - McGuire's new book about Elgar's oratorios is investigated by Robert Anderson


• Record box. The Spanish Guitar - Ron Bierman listens to excerpts from previous Naxos releases


• DULL Music - As the Calgary Philharmonic faces financial ruin, Gordon Rumson asks some difficult questions


• Behind the lines - On the 65th anniversary of Ivor Gurney's death, Roderic Dunnett takes a look at some First World War composers, and at an Imperial War Museum exhibition in London which pays tribute to Gurney and his fellow wartime poets


• CD Spotlight. Absolute clarity - Sony's Glenn Gould Anniversary Edition, appreciated by Rex Harley. '... though he takes liberties with tempi, there is always a keen logic behind the act.'


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Con moto


• Profile. A singing instrument - Martino Tirimo discusses the piano and its music with Bill Newman


• Record box. The Rags of Time - Basil Ramsey lingers over the delights of seventeenth century lute songs and dances


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - meanings


• Ensemble. Affirmation of life - Malcolm Miller investigates the Yiddish tango


• CD Spotlight. Constantly thrilling - Frederic Chiu plays Liszt, and Robert Anderson listens. '... magical sonorities and supersonic speeds ...'


• Ensemble. A night to remember - Roderic Dunnett is impressed by Strauss's 'Ariadne auf Naxos' at Covent Garden


• Record box. Viola Concerto restored - David Thompson considers an important addition to Bartók's recorded legacy


• Ensemble. Apotheosis of the madrigal - Roderic Dunnett enjoys 'L'incoronazione di Poppea' at London's Royal Academy of Music


• Site seeing. Boulez destroyed ... but is it art? - Keith Bramich takes a fresh look at the world of classical music online


• CD Spotlight. Graceful panache - Listening to Dvorák arrangements with Robert Anderson. '... effective and highly accomplished.'


• Ensemble. Shostakovich and Beethoven Trios - Malcolm Miller enjoys the Stockholm Arts Trio's UK début


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Once in a while


• A star is reborn - BBC Legends, passing its one hundredth release, is appreciated by John Bell Young


• Record box. Clarinet colours - Wilfred Josephs and the clarinet, by Basil Ramsey


• Music's connective tissue - The story of STROMA, by Howard Smith


• Ensemble. Purpose and insight - Malcolm Miller enjoys two outstanding débuts by German and Italian artists


• CD Spotlight. World class - Sarasa, a new American baroque ensemble, discovered by John Bell Young. '... vigorous, gutsy and vivacious playing ...'


• Ensemble. Verging on London standards - Roderic Dunnett visits Dorset and Stowe Opera for productions of 'Norma' and 'Don Carlo'


• Record box. Unadorned and pleasurable - The flute concertos of Leopold Hofmann, with Basil Ramsey


• Ensemble. Liszt at lunchtime - Eri Niiyama gives a recital in Tokyo's Suntory Hall, and Keith Bramich listens


• Music matters - Gordon Rumson reads Wilfrid Mellers' book 'Singing in the Wilderness: Music and Ecology in the Twentieth Century'


• CD Spotlight. Couperin sorted - The 'Pièces de Clavecin', played in order of progressive difficulty, investigated by Ron Bierman. '... valuable for piano students.'


• CD Spotlight. Deadly Sins - Walton's orchestral music, enjoyed by Robert Anderson


• Record box. Skewering demons - Concert works by film composers, played by the New Art Trio and reviewed by Keith Bramich


• Ensemble. Russian resonance - The first of a new series of Music at the Wallace Collection


• Ensemble. Hour of Magic - Malcolm Miller is enthralled by seldom-heard East European music


• CD Spotlight. Sonic embroidery - The music of Richard Emsley, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a more or less complete portrait of the composer's identity.'


• Second sight. Music with Wilfrid Mellers - The rough and the smooth


• Record box. The lady smiles - Basil Ramsey plus a duo


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - An eager response. Some editorial thoughts requiring readers' follow-ups


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - clinical recording


• CD Spotlight. Eclectic collection - Awadagin Pratt and the St Lawrence String Quartet play Bach, reviewed by John Bell Young. 'Mr Pratt should really take some time off to study ...'


• CD Spotlight. Diáspora Sefardí - Music from the Sephardic Jews, reviewed by Rex Harley. '... sensitive and subtle performances.'


• Record box. Unashamedly romantic - Keith Bramich listens to 'Yellowstone' for violin and orchestra by Jett Hitt


• Ensemble. Devotion and heroism - Ted and Emi Norrish enjoy a musical weekend in Munich


• Ensemble. Accendo - Music from the time of Claudio Monteverdi at a concert in Cardiff Castle, Wales, reviewed by Rex Harley


• CD Spotlight. Many delights - Performances of 14th century music by Venance Fortunat, appreciated by Rex Harley. '... the sound they make is quite breath-taking.'


• The bonsai sequoia - Jennifer Paull tells the story of Felix Mendelssohn


• CD Spotlight. Awkward questions - Two Mozart keyboard CDs, reviewed by Robert Anderson


• Record box. The dancing man - Basil Ramsey hears the charms of Telemann released by an experienced group


• To Russia with Love - A bizarre story from Moscow, told by Howard Smith


• Ensemble. Warmth and communicability - Bernard Roberts' Romantic pianism launches the Glenilla concert season. Malcolm Miller listens


• CD Spotlight. Un-buttoned Beecham - 'The Tales of Hoffmann' in a vintage performance enjoyed by Peter Dale. 'The recording is remarkably warm, surface noise minimal, characterisation lively, and orchestral playing spot on.'


• CD Spotlight. Reinventing the wheel - A soaring Pegasus, appreciated by Jennifer Paull. '... a brilliance that makes you want to listen to it over and over again ...'


• Record box. Swedish virtuosi - Tobias Ringborg plays music by Roman, and Keith Bramich listens


• I've got the music in me ... - Gordon Rumson writes about the status and behaviour of musicians


• The Bell Tolls too soon for Derek - A tribute to Derek Bell (1935-2002) of The Chieftains, by Jennifer Paull


• CD Spotlight. Orchestral colour - The symphonies of Kurt Atterberg encountered by Robert Anderson. '... a towering Pelion with which to storm the heavens ...'


• CD Spotlight. A monumental work - Hans Rott's Symphony in E, with Patric Standford. '... outstanding recording.'


• Record box. C'est la guerre - A one-act opera by Emil Petrovics, appreciated by Roderic Dunnett


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Walking wounded


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - conducting ourselves


• CD Spotlight. Arias for Farinelli - The voice of mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux, appreciated by Maria Nockin. '... played, sung and recorded with exquisite artistry.'


• Ensemble. Miracle for Bohemia! - 'La clemenza di Tito' at Covent Garden, with Robert Anderson


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


• Ensemble. Rule Britannia? - Gordon Rumson reports on New Works Calgary, Friday 13 September 2002


• A tough task - Keith Bramich ponders on the art of the conductor, and attends the 2002 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition


• CD Spotlight. Brilliance and neatness - Haydn at Esterhazy, with Robert Anderson. '... a relaxed warmth entirely suited to the music and its period.'


• Profile. Life in the old tiger - In the second of two articles about the Chisinau National Opera, Moldovan tenor Mihai Muntean talks to Roderic Dunnett


• Record box. Aural hallucinations - Keith Bramich listens to the 95% post consumer sound of Ellen Band


• Ensemble. Female insurgence - Roderic Dunnett visits Garsington Opera for a feast of Mozart, Rossini and rare Janácek


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. The right notes - A long journey in performance practice


• CD Spotlight. A pleasant surprise - The Maggini Quartet plays Bax and Ron Bierman listens. '... enthusiastic, first-class performances.'


• CD Spotlight. Breach of conventions? - Handel's opera 'Tamerlano' in a new recording investigated by Peter Dale. '... absolutely convincing ...'


• Record box. Dvorák on the edge - His Stabat Mater reconsidered, by Basil Ramsey


• Profile. Life and experience - The Czech conductor Jirí Belohlávek talks to Roderic Dunnett


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - completions


• CD Spotlight. Two violas - Mozart's String Quintets, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The playing demonstrates the lovely range of tone colours the team can so readily deploy.'


• A new 'Enoch' - John Bell Young tells his story of collaboration with British actor Michael York


• CD Spotlight. Liquid phrasing - Argerich plays Schumann, reviewed by John Bell Young. 'Ms Argerich and company pay glowing tribute to the composer's most celebrated chamber works.'


• Record box. The mix - Basil Ramsey listens to Charlotte Brontë set over music


• Ensemble. Waiting for Figaro - Bampton Classical Opera at London's St John's Smith Square, enjoyed by David Thompson


• Unbreakable spirit - Galina Aleykina reports on a concert at the Ukraine National Opera House in memory of the events of September 11th


• CD Spotlight. A significant release - Orchestral music by Dan Locklair, investigated by Carson Cooman. '... the performances are solid and zestful.'


• Ensemble. A haunting future - Roderic Dunnett praises two recent productions at newly restored Grange Park Opera


• Record box. Golden tone - Keith Bramich listens to the bassoon virtuoso Gwydion Brooke


• International forum - Patric Standford reports from the 2nd International Composers' Competition 'In memoriam Zoltán Kodály'


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. From Wagner to Bach - A long journey in performance practice


• CD Spotlight. Uneasy agitation - The music of César Franck, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Thiollier is capable of the loveliest sonorities from the outset ...'


• Ensemble. Youthful comedies - David Wilkins visits the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy


• Record box. Cathedral setting - Howells in ecclesiastical mode, by Basil Ramsey


• Ensemble. Of head and heart - David Thompson samples three symphonies from two international orchestras at the BBC Proms


• Profile. Mouths to feed - Roderic Dunnett looks at the touring tradition of Chisinau National Opera and talks to Mihai Cocieru, the company's newly-promoted General Director


• CD Spotlight. A well-chosen anthology - Listening to 'A Century of English Song', with Trevor Hold. 'Veira is particularly good ...'


• Ensemble. Disturbingly insinuating - David Wilkins attends the première of Friedrich Cerha's 'Der Riese vom Steinfeld', and speaks to the principal singer, Thomas Hampson, about the opera


• Record box. Games - The fun side of music, with Basil Ramsey


• Record box. In the balance - Piano sonatas by Myroslav Gutej, as heard by Basil Ramsey


• Ensemble. Sitting pretty? - Walton, Sainsbury and Stanford at the Three Choirs Festival, reviewed by Keith Bramich


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Summer music - The yearly miracle for millions


• CD Spotlight. Uncaged John - An attempt to decode his mysteries, by Jennifer Paull. 'Cage is a time-travelling machine.'


• CD Spotlight. A traditional approach - The choral music of Bryan Kelly, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... an excellently produced CD, with a fine balance of sound ...'


• Record box. The masque of pastiche - Trevor Hold listens to baritone songs by John Jeffreys


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. The good deed - The pros and cons of meddling, considered after a game of ludo


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - operatic folly


• CD Spotlight. Much originality - John Field's Piano Concertos, explored by Robert Anderson. '... accomplished performances ...'


• CD Spotlight. Style-modulation - A new British CD of American string quartets, reviewed by Peter Dickinson. '... this performance is superb advocacy.'


• Record box. Strikingly unusual - Keith Bramich samples D'Divaz


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


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Failing insight - Wondering how much we miss


• CD Spotlight. The Maestro - Stokowski conducts Schumann and Haydn, and David Thompson listens. '... he delivers in spades.'


• All in Calgary - Gordon Rumson writes about the Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Festival and Competition, 7-17 August 2002


• CD Spotlight. Imagination and strength - The Gilgamesh epic, recounted by Robert Anderson. '... Zdenek Kosler admirably explores the depth of meaning Martinu revealed in the ancient tale ...'


• Record box. Cyclic dream - Keith Bramich listens to another disc from crossover group Univers Zero


• Site seeing. Old wine in new bottles - Keith Bramich introduces a new feature at Music & Vision


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Daily ritual - Switching nightmares for daymares


• CD Spotlight. Playing hypocritically - Eric Satie's piano music, surveyed by Brian Howes. '... all played straight and cleanly, as I expect Satie would have wished.'


• Ensemble. An American in Portugal - Malcolm Miller attends Nancy Lee Harper's recital of Portuguese piano music in London


• Profile. An expression of emotion - English composer Lionel Sainsbury talks to Keith Bramich


• Record box. Breadth and scope - Keith Bramich is impressed by Lionel Sainsbury's Twelve Preludes


• Site seeing. Fasolt without Fafner - Keith Bramich visits new classical music websites: Fasolt, L'education musicale, the New Classical Portal, Musica Paraguaya, Classical Notes, Kipling settings, Sharma Musicals, Brandon Sturiale, Zeynep Ucbasaran and Beauty in Music


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. The silent partner - Considering music we hear without listening


• CD Spotlight. Kipnis' Cocktails - Dances by Dvorák, Brahms and Grieg, reviewed by Jennifer Paull. 'This particular mosaic of magical components is just right!'


• Ensemble. A much loved conductor - Bernard Haitink's Farewell Concert at London's Royal Opera, as experienced by Robert Anderson


• A Moment of Madness - Following the controversial acceptance (or infliction) by the English National Opera board of Nicholas Payne's resignation, Pamela Rosenberg, General Director of the San Francisco Opera, talks to Roderic Dunnett about the impact of the decision, and about the esteem in which Payne's leadership is held in Europe and the USA alike


• Ensemble. Unalloyed genius - Glyndebourne's recent 'Euryanthe' is fêted by Roderic Dunnett


• Record box. Architectural dimensions - John Bell Young listens to Evgeny Kissin's Mussorgsky


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Disentanglement


• Ensemble. Full circle - Roderic Dunnett enjoys Verdi's 'Macbeth' at Covent Garden


• CD Spotlight. The one authority - Beecham conducts Delius, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a very worthy CD, remastered with due care ...'


• Ensemble. They're off! - David Thompson was at the First Night of the Proms in London, 19 July 2002


• CD Spotlight. French Arias - The singing of Marcelo Álvarez, assessed by John Bell Young. '... in the refined and complex world of art music, intuition is hardly enough ...'


• Record box. Normal accessibilities - Symphonies from New Zealand, considered by Basil Ramsey


• Payne resigns - a slyly overcautious management board generates turmoil at English National Opera, by Roderic Dunnett


• Ensemble. Celebration and Desolation - Andrew Campling, Musical Director of the London Docklands Singers, attended a Trio Melisma concert in London


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - orchestral players


• CD Spotlight. Variable sonorities - Reacting to Chopin and Schumann, by Robert Anderson. '... some moments might well have caused Chopin to block his ears and flee across the Channel ...'


• CD Spotlight. Romantic voice - John Bell Young listens to Kuschnerova playing Scriabin


• Record box. Musical insight - Patric Standford appreciates Beecham's 1937 recording of Beethoven's 'Missa Solemnis'


• The artistic product - Jim Stokes describes how the Minnesota Sinfonia offers classical music accessible on-location to all


• Ensemble. Verismo al fresco - Malcolm Miller enjoys Opera Holland Park's double bill of 'Suor Angelica' and 'I Pagliacci'


• CD Spotlight - Schubert arranged by Andreas Tarkmann, reviewed by Robert Anderson


• Ensemble. Madrigal comedy - Keith Bramich enjoys I Fagiolini's performances of English and Italian music, old and new


• Profile. Aaron Rabushka - a portrait by Jennifer Paull


• Record box. Intriguing selection - Keith Bramich listens to contemporary music on the Vienna Modern Masters label


• Ensemble. A brief report from the Empty Quarter - Carl Czerny in Edmonton, by Gordon Rumson


• With all my love - Cathy Berberian (1925-1983) describes her life with music


• Beethoven's Tenth - An occasional addendum to last year's 'Captivating Moments', with Jim Stokes


• CD Spotlight. An aviator of the piano - A unique recording of Russian pianist Samuel Feinberg, reviewed by John Bell Young


• A Prague wedding - An occasional addendum to last year's 'Captivating Moments', with Juliet Averay


• Ensemble. A week to remember - David Wilkins' reflections on the opening week of the 30th International Istanbul Music Festival


• Record box. Wildlife in the Nursery - Keith Bramich comes face to face with the singing animals


• Site seeing at the Mandolin Café - with Keith Bramich


• Beautifully together - Roderic Dunnett enjoys the Ukrainian State Opera Company of Odessa's 'La Traviata'


• CD Spotlight - The journeyman miller. Schubert's 'Die Schöne Müllerin', appreciated by Robert Anderson. 'It will be clear enough by now with what tenderness and sensitivity Werner Güra performs these songs.'


• Hans Hotter in Munich - an occasional addendum to last year's 'Captivating moments', with Juliet Averay


• Ensemble - Pivotal occasion - A triumphant homecoming in Kazakhstan, by Howard Smith


• Record box - Keeping tracks. Basil Ramsey finds fresh guitar tracks to draw upon


• Ensemble - Jubilant 'Choral' Symphony for the Jubilee. Malcolm Miller at the penultimate London Soloists Chamber Orchestra 'Totally Beethoven' concert


• From the heart - A tribute by Peter Dale to Wilfrid Mellers, for a unique life of music and letters


• CD Spotlight - Speaking for itself. An Arnold Bax symphony, welcomed by David Thompson. 'The present disc maintains these exalted standards.'


• CD Spotlight - A born musician. Appreciating the viola d'amore playing of Thomas Georgi, with Jennifer Paull. 'His interpretative skills are as palpitating as the sympathetic strings of his chosen instrument ...'


• Record box - Creative glue. Buxtehude and the sonata, heard by Basil Ramsey


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Sorry, my mistake - Perceiving the error of our ways


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - neglected genius


• CD Spotlight - Constant enchantment. The 'Cantiones Sacrae' of Sweelinck, with Robert Anderson. 'The Clare College Choir under Timothy Brown has both the intensity and agility to encompass the varied moods of the music.'


• Second Sight - Music with Wilfrid Mellers - 15. Magic and Innocence. A double bill at Opera North. 'This production, given its musical values, must on no account be missed.'


• Record box - Music of quality. David Thompson listens to Gerard Schurmann's score for 'The Lost Continent'


• Ensemble - Power of understatement. Roderic Dunnett at a new production of Euripides' tragedy 'Bacchae', with music by Sir Harrison Birtwistle


• Ensemble - Naughty but nice. David Thompson enjoys English National Opera's 'Lulu' at the London Coliseum


• CD Spotlight - Memorable and treasurable. Volume seven of Priory's Complete English Hymnal, enjoyed by Adrian Williams. '... I love this recording and congratulate Harry Bramma and his perfect and sympathetic organist Andrew Arthur ...'


• Ensemble - Profoundly life-enhancing. Rex Harley experiences Janácek's 'The Cunning Little Vixen' in the current Welsh National Opera revival, on 24 May 2002 at Cardiff New Theatre, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras


• Ensemble - Power and conviction. Malcolm Miller reviews the MIT Symphony Orchestra's concert at St John's Smith Square in London, including the first UK performance of 'Jubal' by Peter Child


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


• Site seeing - In another visit to the world of classical music websites, Keith Bramich muses on competition and diversity, and visits the websites of Salvador Clofent, Jan Hart, Duane Peck, A Gioele Simonetto, Bristol Music Services and Japanese composer Tsutomu Tagashira


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Tender Bach - The fascination of the rarest jewels.


• CD Spotlight - Capritio. Instrumental music from the 17th Century, reviewed by Jennifer Paull. '... ensemble playing at its best. O'Dette is an outstanding performer.'


• Profile - Lisztian sparkle. Roderic Dunnett talks to American piano virtuoso Haskell Small


• Record box - Count me out. Basil Ramsey trying Spohr


• Profile - And your compere is Paula Robison! Bill Newman talks to the American flautist, campaigner and announcer of the Spoleto Festival's mid-day concerts


• Essential Cowell - Gordon Rumson reads from the American composer's selected writings 1921-1964


• CD Spotlight - Resplendent performance. Stokowski conducts Mendelssohn and Brahms, with David Thompson. 'They were clearly devoted to the old wizard, and they play their hearts out for him.'


• Ensemble - A Japanese 'Riverdance'? Keith Bramich (with simultaneous translation by Yuri Izawa) experiences the four thousand strong spectacle of 'Sleeping King - the promise of love with a true heart'


• Record box - Boldly on. Recent music from Italy, with Basil Ramsey


• Brilliant Beethoven - Malcolm Miller attends the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe Celebrity Concert, given by Bernard Roberts


• Ensemble - Judge on the menu. Patric Standford attends the first night of Opera North's revival production of Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd'


• CD Spotlight - Rewarding discovery. Listening to symphonies by Alexander Moyzes, with Patric Standford. 'Technically this is a bright and clean recording with excellent wind playing ...'


• Yevgeny Svetlanov : 1928-2002 - a personal tribute from David Wilkins


• Record box - Born by the sea. Folk dances from Colombia, with Basil Ramsey


• Ensemble - Totally Beethoven. Malcolm Miller attends a recent concert by the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra at the Purcell Room


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - nostalgia


• CD Spotlight - Beautiful and convincing. Music by Piero Milesi for films, installations, water and fireworks, enjoyed by Keith Bramich. '... three boats move gently upstream, the river bridges providing natural boundaries between and barriers for the different sonorities ...'


• Leonard Salzedo, 1921-2000 - Jennifer Paull marks the second anniversary on 6 May 2002 of the composer's death


• Ensemble - a glorious dip in the grotesque. Roderic Dunnett at Welsh National Opera's revival of 'Salome'


• Record box - The glow of its period. Hummel Piano Sonatas considered by Basil Ramsey


• A perceptive pianist - Bill Newman listens to Yoo Na Noh


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. The use of abuse - Struggling for silence.


• CD Spotlight - Sea-change. 'Penelope Lynex is a cellist of formidable gifts.' The complete music for cello and piano of Frank Bridge, whetting the appetite of Robert Anderson


• CD Spotlight - A landmark. 'Beecham produces a performance redolent even now of passion and conviction ...' Delius's 'A Village Romeo and Juliet', explored by Peter Dale


• Record box - Russian master. Basil Ramsey enjoying Shostakovich


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


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - complete performances


• CD Spotlight - Surpassing 'Thornbury'? '... Partington and organ are thrillingly at one and in devoted service of the composer ...' The organ music of Basil Harwood, investigated by Robert Anderson


• Ensemble - Plea for peace. David Wilkins reports from the Athens Megaron on the first performance of the new opera 'Lysistrata' by Mikis Theodorakis


• Record box - fiddling. Norwegian composer Geirr Tveitt heard by Basil Ramsey


• Ensemble - imperial grandeur. Roderic Dunnett is impressed with a new production of 'The Queen of Spades'


• Profile - music all the time. Bill Newman becomes reacquainted with young French cellist Gautier Capuçon


• CD Spotlight - Varied moods. '... a fine account of the music ...' Risto Lauriala plays the piano music of Josef Suk, considered by Robert Anderson


• Ensemble - Prisoner of Mab. Roderic Dunnett reports from Austria on a new chamber opera by Eduard Demetz


• Record box - From South America. Little-known piano music, with Basil Ramsey


• Ensemble - In virtuoso manner. Alice Neary and Gretel Dowdeswell at London's Wigmore Hall, heard by Bill Newman


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Ancient and modern - Preparing to be absurd.


• CD Spotlight - Passion and gloom. '... Gwyneth George ... riding the technical difficulties with enviable ease ...' Rachmaninov and Shostakovich cello sonatas, an appraisal by Robert Anderson


• Profile - Magic and mystery. A half world away and a century later, the influence of Busoni is firmly planted in Australia: The music of Larry Sitsky, by Gordon Rumson


• A thoughtful response - Editor Basil Ramsey considers the part played by music during occasions of national mourning


• Record box - Unexpectedly vivid. Basil Ramsey experiences the music of Portuguese composer Joly Braga Santos


• Episodes from a memory bank - Gwydion Brooke. Bill Newman looks back at undeservedly neglected musicians.


• Mistaken catastrophe - A view from the trenches, by Gerald Brennan


• CD Spotlight - Intensely idiomatic. '... beautifully played ... sensitively directed ...' Antonín Tucapský's Violin and Viola Concertos, as heard by Peter Dale


• Record box - Crossover experience. The Sirius String Quartet's gig with some sonic criminals is observed from a safe distance by Keith Bramich


• Episodes from a memory bank - Basil Cameron. Bill Newman looks back at undeservedly neglected musicians.


• Site seeing - Ludwig's torso ... another visit to the world of music websites, with Keith Bramich


• CD Spotlight - Day of judgement. '... Saint-Saëns is at his best, and the LPO under Geoffrey Simon enjoys chasing his every nuance.' Saint-Saëns Requiem, faced by Robert Anderson


• CD Spotlight - Night thoughts. 'Nicolas Hodges ... masters every nuance the musical landscape requires.' The music of Justin Connolly, considered by Peter Dale


• Record box - Beaming with pleasure. The lightweight in company with the flute, as heard and enjoyed by Basil Ramsey


• Profile - A man of vision. Victor Herbert, the first composer to write for film, investigated by Jennifer Paull


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - teaching composers


• CD Spotlight - Much to enchant. '... here he has found worthy interpreters.' Strauss songs, with Robert Anderson


• Ensemble - Whistle stop tour. Malcolm Miller appreciates The Camden Choir's Renaissance Music


• CD Spotlight - Refreshingly free. '... Skærved is dazzlingly good ...' Violin music by Alan Rawsthorne and John McCabe, appreciated by Peter Dale


• Record box - Transmogrifier of sounds. Electro-acoustic music by Kjartan Ólafsson, experienced by Keith Bramich


• Mind my harpsichord! - In affectionate memory of Igor Kipnis, close friend and musical collaborator, by Bill Newman


• Ensemble - Star performance. Malcolm Miller at Ware Operatic Society's 'La Traviata'


• CD Spotlight - Bridging the day. 'Robert Irvine gives a consummate performance, technically amazing, and emotionally involving ...' Works for cello and piano by Sally Beamish, explored by David Thompson


• Ensemble - The role of the artist. Roderic Dunnett visits Caen for a performance of Wolfgang Rihm's opera 'Jakob Lenz'


• Record box - Characterisation. Piano preludes by César Cui, heard by Basil Ramsey


• Ensemble - A friend in need. The Opera Omnibus production of Mascagni's 'L'Amico Fritz', enjoyed by Roderic Dunnett


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Time machine


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


• CD Spotlight - Unquestioning faith. 'If Tavener can sometimes seem a victim of his own mannerisms, the performers under Paul Goodwin have done him proud.' A CD of John Tavener's choral music, considered by Robert Anderson


• Record box - Danish pastry. Basil Ramsey listens to symphonies with hang-ups


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


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Professionalism - Your conclusions from January's Editorial


• CD Spotlight - Immeasurably sophisticated. 'Mr Sperry is not only up to the challenge, but transcends it in these consistently magical performances.' The Songs of Francis Poulenc, appreciated by John Bell Young


• CD Spotlight - Mr Valiant-for-Truth. 'It really is that good.' Enjoying Bruckner's Eighth under Günter Wand, with David Wilkins


• Record box - The test of time. David Thompson listens to volume six of Priory's New English Hymnal


• Ensemble - Evolution or revolution? Samuel Brown on RTÉ's Second Viennese School weekend


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - moments of weakness


• The passing of a legend - Nathan Perelman (1906-2002)


• CD Spotlight - Tootling in Accrington. '... a stimulating introduction to Sir Harrison's tonal explorations.' A sound picture of Birtwistle on CD, considered by Robert Anderson


• CD Spotlight - Spiritual mysteries. 'This is a great recording of what, I dare to suggest, will come to be recognised as great music.' James MacMillan's music for Westminster Cathedral, considered by David Thompson


• Record box - Giving generously. A Recording of church music by Peter Aston, introduced by Basil Ramsey


• Reminiscent retrospectives - Geographical Gilbert and Surreal Sullivan, with Jennifer Paull


• Profile - Being truthful to the music. Chenyin Li, the young Chinese winner of the 2001 Scottish International Piano Competition, talks to Keith Bramich about experiences, East and West


• CD Spotlight - Eclatant, Lumineux. 'Mr Bekhterev emerges as one of the greatest Scriabin interpreters of all.' Boris Bekhterev plays Scriabin, reviewed by John Bell Young


• Ensemble - Quintessential quintet. Malcolm Miller admires the Etesian Ensemble's period performance concert with a Beethoven arrangement première


• CD Spotlight - Intelligent discourse. 'This disc ... deserves more than merely passing attention.' Chamber music by George Nicholson, explored by Peter Dale


• Record box - Josh Groban. Chad Neuman listens to a mixture of operatic and modern music


• Reminiscent retrospectives - Wonderful walls, with Jennifer Paull


• The northern Schubert - Roderic Dunnett explores the music of Carl Loewe


• CD Spotlight - Happy and profound. 'The National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, conducted by Robert Houlihan, have brought this fine work to life with a strong performance ...' The music of A J Potter, with Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight - Obvious dedication. '... one work - the Gunther Schuller Symphony - receives a truly first-class performance ...' American orchestral music, reviewed by David Wilkins


• Record box - Crawling wind. Keith Bramich listens to a rare 1970s hybrid.


• Reminiscent retrospectives - Meteorological obligati, with Jennifer Paull


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Professionalism - The Editor finds himself perturbed, and asks for a reaction from readers


• Ensemble - Unlikely bedfellows? Malcolm Miller attends the UK première of a new work for string quartet and percussion


• Ensemble - Maschinist Hopkins. Roderic Dunnett on a Max Brand UK première


• Record box - That is it. Steve Martland is passing through, with Basil Ramsey


• A man of many talents - Jennifer Paull pays tribute to Igor Kipnis, who died on 24 January 2002


• Reminiscent retrospectives - Musical language, with Jennifer Paull


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - the piano


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Nourishment - the new year as a challenge


• Ensemble - Swashbuckling parody. Roderic Dunnett attends the Hungarian première of Maxwell Davies's Expressionist opera 'Resurrection'


• Record box - Raw and powerful. Keith Bramich's first impressions of the music of Sofia Gubaidulina


• Reminiscent retrospectives - Magic moments, with Jennifer Paull


• Ensemble - Cosseted by Robespierre. Roderic Dunnett visits London's Royal Opera House for a special performance of 'Tosca'


• CD Spotlight - Discreet pleasures. '... incomparable authority and elegance ...' Earl Wild plays Hahn's 'Le Rossignol éperdu', appreciated by John Bell Young


• CD Spotlight - Profiles of the mountains. 'The Stuttgart team plays with the necessary conviction and power ...' Symphonies by Villa-Lobos, considered by Robert Anderson


• Record box - American spiritual. Marilyn Nonken plays new piano works written for her, investigated by Keith Bramich


• Reminiscent retrospectives - Trails and Euros, with Jennifer Paull


• Impulse and space - Richard Hickox talks to Bill Newman at the 2001 Spoleto Festival


• CD Spotlight - Fresh impressions. '... more immediate, more compelling, sometimes more alienating, always more convincing.' Quatuor Turner plays Beethoven String Quartets, considered by Peter Dale


• CD Spotlight - Bright vigour. '... strong clean performances ...' Kurt Atterberg's Symphonies Nos 7 and 8, with Patric Standford


• Record box - Duetting. A new CD of French music considered by Basil Ramsey


• Reminiscent retrospectives - Women in music, with Jennifer Paull


• Site seeing - all change! with Keith Bramich


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


• Music of the Elvish World - Gordon Rumson explores Allan Rae's 'Mirror of Galadriel'