A selection of M&V 'Hungary' articles
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
Innovative Content - A piano journey on the Danube, with Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Communicative Aplomb - Joseph Rackers' debut recording, heard by Howard Smith. '"Eureka" moments ... are conspicuous by their absence.'
CD Spotlight. Sensitive Understanding - Music by Kodály and Dohnányi, heard by Robert Anderson. '... the orchestra captures with apparent ease the seductive idiom of this music.'
CD Spotlight. Striking Motifs - Eugene Alcalay plays Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Alcalay characterises this music admirably.'
CD Spotlight. Uncompromising Integrity - Music by Béla Bartók, heard by Robert Anderson. '... a joy to hear.'
CD Spotlight. Exemplary Fashion - Francis Gouton's solo cello, heard by Howard Smith. '... a richly nuanced Gallic flair and beautiful tonal capabilities ...'
CD Spotlight. Dramatic Breadth - Cyprien Katsaris plays Liszt, heard by Howard Smith. '... seismic and mercurial by turns ...'
Ensemble. Poetic Insight - A recital by Erdem Misirlioglu, reviewed by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Hammer and Tongs - Franz Liszt funeral odes, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Orchestra and conductor have all the requisite diablerie.'
A Whimsical Novel - Edmund Bealby-Wright's 'This Farewell Symphony', read by Karen Haid
DVD Spotlight. Admirable Intentions - Gillian Rogell teaches chamber music, observed by Howard Smith. 'It's all fairly basic stuff ...'
Ensemble. Exotic Soundscapes - Two London concerts featuring music from the opera to the orient, attended by Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Striking Power - Leslie Howard plays Rachmaninov, heard by Howard Smith. '... a staggering technique.'
Ensemble. Dramatic Beauty - Works by Eötvös and Bartók, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. An Individual Spirituality - Contemporary music from London's Trinity Laban Conservatoire, heard by Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Delicate Mastery - Orchestral music by Glazunov, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... dashingly done ...'
CD Spotlight. Finely Displayed - Alfred Brendel plays Liszt, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'Michael Gielen backs Brendel's eloquence with unobtrusive skill.'
CD Spotlight. Aristocratic in Inspiration - Matthew Cameron plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... dignity and eloquence.'
Passport to Heaven - Bill Newman listens to the Russian pianist Nelly Akopian-Tamarina
DVD Spotlight. Ho hum! - Vidor Nagy plays Bach and Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... moments of splendour.'
CD Spotlight. High Spirits - Music by Dohnányi, heard by Howard Smith. '... the Buffalonians ... make their virtuosity seem almost effortless ...'
Ensemble. Beautifully Phrased - Los Angeles Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', welcomed by Maria Nockin
CD Spotlight. A Wondrous Variety - Piano music by Chopin and Liszt, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Dominic Piers Smith survives not only intact but triumphant ...'
CD Spotlight. Exciting Listening - Mykola Suk plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a mastery and range of expression ...'
CD Spotlight. Marvelously Incisive - Rózsa and Korngold violin concertos, recommended by Howard Smith. '... breathtaking virtuosity from soloist and orchestra alike.'
CD Spotlight. Finely Judged - Brahms and Schumann piano quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. 'This is music-making both sensitive and relaxed.'
Masks - Jennifer Paull continues her investigation of musical and theatrical masks
Masks - Jennifer Paull investigates a layering of musical and theatrical masks, with the omnipresent eerie reminder of the gas mask
Stimulating Fare - Eugene Alcalay plays Bartók, Dutilleux and Beethoven, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller
Profile. Important Skills - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo Dolora Zajick
CD Spotlight. An Ideal Exponent - Eniko Magyar plays English viola music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... beautifully executed and superbly recorded ...'
CD Spotlight. A Flowing Delivery - Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, heard by Howard Smith. '... vital technical flair ...'
CD Spotlight. Lovely Accounts - Chamber music by Robert Schumann, heard by Howard Smith. '... the performances suffer from a worrying anemia ...'
Ensemble. A Sizzling Rendition - 'Carmen' from Phoenix Opera impresses Maria Nockin
CD Spotlight. Utterly Absorbing - A sampler from Cedille Records, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... top quality standards.'
The Philosophy of Absence - Jennifer Paull investigates four releases of Cage's Number Pieces
CD Spotlight. Faultless Performances - Beethoven from The Nash Ensemble, welcomed by Howard Smith. '... a class of its own.'
Ensemble. Clarity of Texture - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra
Ensemble. Exceptional Gifts - Lawrence Budmen reports from the 2009 Miami International Piano Festival
CD Spotlight. A Real Work-out - Jane Parker-Smith at the organ of St Gudula, Rhede, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz
CD Spotlight. Virtuoso Duo - Performances by the Elaris Duo, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... all the passion, drama and integrity one could want.'
Intrinsic Virtue - A concert and Handel exhibition at London's Foundling Museum, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Lovely Performance - A recital by Bálint Székely and Mariko Kondo, heard by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Poetic Lyricism - Tim Hugh and Olga Sitkovetsky at London's Wigmore Hall, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... breathtaking musicianship captured my attention ...'
Ensemble. High Spirits - Freddy Kempf and the Moscow Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Eminently Agreeable - Piano music by Ahmet Adnan Saygun, recommended by Howard Smith. '... unfailing rhythmic clarity and beautifully controlled dynamics ...'
CD Spotlight. Refreshingly Innovative - Music by John Beckwith, reviewed by Natalie Artemas-Polak. '... an important voice in Canadian music ...'
Ensemble. The Swinging Spotlight - David Wilkins experiences Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' in Budapest
Hope Breaking Through - Alban Gerhardt plays Bach at Munich's 'Long Night of Music', and has a late night chat with Tess Crebbin
CD Spotlight. Essential Lyricism - The violin concertos of Ernö von Dohnányi, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a very impressive performance.'
Ensemble. A New Fascism - 'Elektra' at Hungarian State Opera, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett
Ensemble. Viennese Pastry - Franz Lehár's 'The Merry Widow', reviewed by Susan Hampton
'Bach the European' - Malcolm Miller attends András Schiff's 2007 RAM Bach Prize Lecture-Recital
Ensemble. Beethoven in Budapest - The MÁV Symphony Orchestra with Zoltán Kocsis, reviewed by Karen Haid
CD Spotlight. Great Panache - The complete wind quintets of Ferenc Farkas, appreciated by Paul Sarcich. '... the whole set simply reeks charm.'
CD Spotlight. Unrivalled - János Starker plays Bartók, Boccherini, Kodály, Mozart and Leo Weiner, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... instrumental artistry at its finest.'
Ensemble. Primal Energy - Barenboim and the Vienna Philharmonic play Bartók, Kodály, Enescu and Ligeti
Record Box. Singing Qualities - Jennifer Koh plays Szymanowski, Martinu and Bartók, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Beautifully Arranged - 'Antal Doráti and the joy of making music' by Richard Chlupaty, reviewed by Anna L Franco
The bottom of my lis(z)t?? - Alistair Hinton comments on Patric Standford's recent Provocative Thoughts
Ensemble. Outstanding Performances - Susan Milan at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Boundaries of the Possible - Malcolm Miller admires Simon Bainbridge's new BBC commission, 'Diptych'
Ensemble. Compelling Readings - Bartók's String Quartets in Ottawa, enjoyed by Bert Bailey
A Radiant Performance - Ashley Wass in Derby, assessed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Music in Captivity - Malcolm Miller was at a lecture recital by Ronald Senator, with Teresa Gobel and Miriam Brickman
Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - The Budapest Symphony Orchestra on tour in the UK, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Profile. The Hungarian Nightingale - A meeting with Gisela Doráti, better known as 'Gizi', by Bill Newman
Life's Fulfilment - Bill Newman recalls the affection he felt for the great Hungarian conductor-composer Antal Doráti, who would have been 100 years old today
The Designer Touch - Tonina Doráti and opera production, as explained to Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Touching Hearts - Yale Strom's 'Café Jew Zoo', reviewed by Ioana Osoianu. '... beautifully sung by Elizabeth Schwartz.'
CD Spotlight. Peking order - Bartók, Bernstein and Gershwin from the Pekinel Sisters, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... positively 'aerodynamic' in its clarity, audacity and panache.'
Record box. Noël - Christmas carols and chants played by Anonymous 4, enjoyed by Basil Ramsey
Record box. Emotional shape - Music by Bartók, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Sensationally STILL - Alexa Still and the NGC Wellington Sinfonia, reviewed by Howard Smith
Ask Alice - On learning brass scales, and Starker's Brahms revisited, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh
Ask Alice - Alice McVeigh reviews 'The World of Music According to Starker'
CD Spotlight. Festive mood - Carols for brass, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz. '... simply superb.'
CD Spotlight. Revelatory success - June de Toth plays Bartók piano music, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a magisterial achievement.'
Ensemble. An original statement - Claudio Bohorquez plays Dvorák, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. Authentic folk drama - Béla Pintér and Company's 'Peasant Opera', reviewed by Rex Harley
Record box. Devotional pieces - David Barela plays Liszt, reviewed by Patric Standford
Ensemble. Coming home - The Pablo Casals Cello Competition, reported by Tess Crebbin
Ensemble. An evening full of Hampsongs - by Sissy von Kotzebue
Special significance - Tess Crebbin reports on the start of the Europamusicale in Germany
Ensemble. The thinnest tightrope - David Wilkins at the Hungarian première of Britten's 'The Turn of the Screw'
CD Spotlight. Powerful and playful - Fritz Reiner conducts Bartók, admired by Robert Anderson. '... agonised intensity of utmost eloquence.'
Record box. Reaching for the moon - Zeynep Ucbasaran plays Liszt, reviewed by David Thompson
CD Spotlight. Mane-shaking style - Martin Berkofsky plays Liszt, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... playing often as sensitive as one is likely to hear.'
Ensemble. Stylistically convincing - Malcolm Miller listens to Trio Lignum
Ensemble. Bold individuality - Malcolm Miller enjoys a performance by an outstanding young Hungarian duo at the Wallace Collection
CD Spotlight. Conjuring tricks - The first in a new series of Vivaldi bassoon concertos, admired by Robert Anderson. 'The virtuosity of Tamás Benkócs is a constant wonder ...'
Ensemble. Magyar magic - Malcolm Miller was at the launch of the ninth series of Music at the Wallace Collection
CD Spotlight. Confident artistry - Music by Gerard Schurmann, welcomed by Patric Standford. '... clear, direct, economical and excellently focussed ...'
CD Spotlight. Mastery of orchestration - The music of Antal Doráti, recommended by Ron Bierman. 'Sharon Bezaly's tone is gorgeous ...'
Ensemble. Chamber orchestra charms - Rare Hungarian music, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Profile. After Antal Doráti - Bill Newman visits pianist Ilse von Alpenheim at her home in Switzerland
Record box. Technical mastery - Basil Ramsey listens to Dohnányi piano music
Originality and urbanity - Ilona von Dohnányi's 'Ernst von Dohnányi - A Song of Life', reviewed by Robert Anderson
Inspiring confidence - David Thompson is motivated by Barbara Nissman's book 'Bartók and the Piano'
CD Spotlight. A commanding spirit - Chamber music from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, appreciated by Patric Standford. '... beautifully recorded and artistically stimulating.'
Ensemble. Compelling musicianship - A recital by Ildikó Iván and Tamás Vásáry, reported by Malcolm Miller
Record box. Viola Concerto restored - David Thompson considers an important addition to Bartók's recorded legacy
CD Spotlight. Constantly thrilling - Frederic Chiu plays Liszt, and Robert Anderson listens. '... magical sonorities and supersonic speeds ...'
Ensemble. Liszt at lunchtime - Eri Niiyama gives a recital in Tokyo's Suntory Hall, and Keith Bramich listens
Ensemble. Hour of Magic - Malcolm Miller is enthralled by seldom-heard East European music
Record box. C'est la guerre - A one-act opera by Emil Petrovics, appreciated by Roderic Dunnett
International forum - Patric Standford reports from the 2nd International Composers' Competition 'In memoriam Zoltán Kodály'
Reminiscent retrospectives - Geographical Gilbert and Surreal Sullivan, with Jennifer Paull
Ensemble - Swashbuckling parody. Roderic Dunnett attends the Hungarian première of Maxwell Davies's Expressionist opera 'Resurrection'
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Amateurs
Record box - Flighty music. Unusual repertory with two flutes, as heard by Basil Ramsey
CD Spotlight - Poetic best. '... a white-hot listening experience.' Jorge Bolet's rediscovered Liszt recital, by Igor Kipnis
Stage presence - Keith Bramich listens to soprano Anya Szreter in London's Regent Hall
Record box - Trawling for treasure. Bill Newman seeks out Golden Age performers now reinstated on CD. Annie Fischer, Menuhin and Rostropovich on BBC Legends
Lithuanian fascination - Malcolm Miller attends a special piano recital
Beguiling interpretations - Liszt transcriptions in performance - a London début recital, with Malcolm Miller
Neglected Haydn - Gerald Fenech enjoyed the revival of a forgotten Haydn opera
Variations - Malcolm Miller attended the Sixth Annual Jacqueline du Pré Concert in London
Trump card - Howard Smith tells the story of the New Zealand String Quartet's well-kept Hungarian secret
Planning your collection - Bartok and Janacek -
Planning your collection - Faust, Iona Brown and Percy Grainger
Planning your collection - Zoltan Kodaly -
Planning your collection - Stefan Jess and Barbara Moser; Louis Lortie and George Pehlivanian
Planning your collection - Sam Haywood -
Planning your collection - Global Fascinations and Sophistications - Annie Fischer, Luiza Borac, Anne Kaasa and Lukás Vondrácek, with Bill Newman
A bombshell - Roderic Dunnett talks to Austrian conductor Franz Welser-Möst about Franz Schmidt's Book with Seven Seals
CD Spotlight - Renaissance. 'Jennifer Paull gives sparkling performances.' The oboe d'amore revitalised - with Basil Ramsey.
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