A selection of M&V 'playing' articles

CD Spotlight. Formidably Difficult - Antonín Dvorák's Piano Concerto, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... commendable, as far as it goes.'

Ensemble. An Enjoyable Evening - Opera North's 'Ruddigore', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Sense of Purpose - Beate Toyka and Thomas Solzbacher celebrate Chopin, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. White Hot Intensity - Renée Fleming and the Russian National Orchestra at the Festival of the Arts Boca 2010, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Fine Performance - Verdi's 'Nabucco' from San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Beautifully Expressive - The Isolani Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ask Alice - On personnel problems in orchestras, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

CD Spotlight. Fresh Repertoire - Austin Moorhead's guitar recital, heard by Patric Standford. '... a programme to which it is well worth giving time.'

CD Spotlight. Great Poise - Petrenko conducts Shostakovich symphonies, recommended by Paul Sarcich. '... care and thoughtfulness ...'

Eleven Days without 'Aunt Mary' - Carolyn Ellis describes an unusual problem whilst travelling

The Christmas Piano - Carolyn Ellis visits the ghosts of Christmas past

Ensemble. Excellent Singing - Handel and Rossini from Los Angeles Opera impress Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Really On Form - A concert by the Derby Bach Choir, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Crystalline Lightness - A Symphony of the Americas concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Quirky Opera - Mike Wheeler experiences Janácek's 'The excursions of Mr Broucek'

Ensemble. A Fascinating Anthology - Music on the theme of angels, heard by Mike Wheeler

Refreshingly Imaginative - A recital by Helen Reid impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Much Praise - 'Orpheus in the Underworld' from Kentish Opera, reviewed by Pippa Hare

Ensemble. Vivid and Enlivening - Donizetti's 'Maria di Rohan', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Fine Rendition - 'Così fan tutte' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. Intensity and Concentration - Kurt Masur conducts Richard Strauss, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... beautifully and confidently performed ...'

Ensemble. Profoundly Beautiful - William Christie's 'Dido and Aeneas' impresses Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Brisk Ebullience - Lawrence Budmen sends a second report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival

Ask Alice - The truth about bishops and priests, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Alert Playing - A recital for oboe and harp, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Impeccable Technique - Beethoven's middle string quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The outer movements induce some grinding of teeth.'

CD Spotlight. Perfection of Ensemble - Beethoven's early string quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. '... no excuse for the near-supersonic velocity ...'

Thank You Mama - Bill Newman talks to pianist Igor Tchetuev

Ask Alice - On location, social networking and the guitar, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival

A Liquid Lunch - A recital by Evelyne Berezovsky, heard by Julian Jacobson

Ensemble. Compelling Performance - Members of Psappha at the Buxton Festival, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ask Alice - On rites of passage, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - On business and friends, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - When to put up and shut up, by classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - A foothold - those early years