A selection of M&V 'musicians' articles
Ask Alice - On desperation in singers and orchestral players, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
DVD Spotlight. Outrageously Flamboyant - Christian Lindberg as trombonist, composer and conductor, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... an extraordinary character ...'
Ask Alice - On becoming a 'musicians are smarter' sceptic, and swimming to France across the English Channel, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
DVD Spotlight. Not for Everyone - A collaboration between Turnage and Scofield, reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... well executed ...'
CD Spotlight. Compelling and Pleasurable - Arthur Friedheim plays Liszt, Chopin, Gottschalk and Henselt, heard by Patric Standford. '... a slightly improvisatory interpretation ...'
Ask Alice - Irate choral singers, grade exams and tendonitis, with Classical Music Agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ask Alice - On 'Swinging Samson' and musicians' brains, with Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ask Alice - Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh says farewell to her musician aunt
CD Spotlight. Haunting Beauty - Britten song cycles, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Nothing can detract from the magic ...'
Mahler versus Mahler - Two symphony orchestras are playing Mahler in Rome, by Giuseppe Pennisi
Think Again - A late review of Anvil (and some musings on classical music equivalents), by Gordon Rumson
Ensemble. The Wizard from Oz - David Arditti attends a celebration for the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Percy Grainger
CD Spotlight. Lyrical Richness - Arensky Piano Trios, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The Rachmaninov Trio Moscow plays with obvious affection for the music and enviable skill.'
CD Spotlight. Tough Assignment - Michelle Stebleton plays music for solo horn, and Paul Sarcich is impressed. '... both musical and technical satisfaction ...'
Ensemble. Variety within Unity - A special concert dedicated to the music of British composer Ian Stewart, heard by Mary Isaac
CD Spotlight. Many Levels - Chamber music by Mozart and Smetana, heard by Howard Smith. '... judged to perfection ...'
Ensemble. Sensitive and Vivid - Laura Isaacson and Patricia Capone, heard by Mary Isaac
CD Spotlight. Elegaic Melancholy - A new recording from Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble, exceeds Howard Smith's highest expectations. '... beyond criticism ...'
Ensemble. Music and Art - Karen Haid experiences Roma Opera Omnia
Ask Alice - On listening or playing, musicians' creativity and Sue Frankel's Caractacus Pots, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. Glowing Performance - The Sitwell Singers begin a new season, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Highly Dramatic - The Wihan Quartet at Kings Place, heard by Bill Newman
Flying Colours - A piano recital by Theresia Renelt, appreciated by Mary Isaac
CD Spotlight. Haste or Speed - J S Bach gamba sonatas, heard by Robert Anderson. '... sensitive and very musical.'
Ensemble. Hugely Satisfying - As New Zealand arts funding strikes a sour note, Howard Smith listens to the Vector Wellington Orchestra
CD Spotlight. An Interesting Experience - Music by Alice Ping Yee Ho, heard by Patric Standford. '... musically and technically impressive ...'
CD Spotlight. Firstrate Ensemble - Accompanied harpsichord sonatas by Charles Avison, recommended by Robert Anderson. '... both brilliant and sensitive ...'
Ensemble. Eminently Believable - Undercroft Opera's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. Spirited Performances - Santa Fe Opera's 'The Magic Flute' impresses Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010
Ensemble. A Remarkable Event - Paul Sarcich visits the West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Robustness and Transparency - Francis Jackson plays the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Real Poise - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Indulging in Forbidden Consecutives - Mastersingers at the BBC Proms, reviewed by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. 'Alceste' in the Madhouse - Giuseppe Pennisi files his last report from the 2010 Aix-en-Provence Festival
CD Spotlight. Glowing Performances - Music by Koechlin and Jongen, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a truly outstanding recital ...'
Strongly Stated and Idiosyncratic - 'Composing in Words: William Alwyn on his Art', read by Patric Standford
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
CD Spotlight. Spellbinding Artistry - Jonathan Plowright plays Chopin, recommended by Howard Smith. '... positively hair-raising.'
Ensemble. A Major Success - Ricky Ian Gordon's 'Orpheus & Euridice', experienced by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Almost Cinematic - Shchedrin's 'Anna Karenina' and other premières at The Stars of the White Nights Festival, by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ask Alice - On second careers and sensitivity, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. Great Fun - The Hallé Orchestra ends Nottingham's orchestral season, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Pushing Back the Boundaries - London Sinfonietta's 'British Experiments', reviewed by Chris Graham
Ensemble. Clearly Important - The seventh Klavessiinfestival held in Tallinn, Estonia, attended by Peter Howell
Serious Fun - Lynn Norris looks back at the life of composer, conductor and pianist Aubrey Bowman
Ensemble. Mahler versus Mahler - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Antonio Pappano and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Ensemble. Under the Tuscan Sun - Giuseppe Pennisi attends the beginning of the Tiroler Festspiele 2010
Ensemble. Smiling Poise - Derby Chamber Music ends its season on a high, reported by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Wide-ranging Discourse - Sinfonia Viva plays Beethoven, Anna Meredith, Nico Muhly, Ravel and Schumann, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Truly Charming - John Sant'Ambrogio's 'The Day I Almost Destroyed the Boston Symphony, and Other Stories', read by Kelly Ferjutz
CD Spotlight. Lyrical Powers - Orchestral music by Louis Spohr, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Howard Shelley and the Swiss orchestra clearly relish this unusual assignment.'
Ensemble. Truly Memorable - A concert of arias at Arizona Opera impresses Maria Nockin
CD Spotlight. Indeed Eternal - 'Symphonie fantastique' and 'Le Carnaval romain', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... much to admire ...'
Ensemble. Beautifully Turned - Horn trios by Lennox Berkeley, Jeremy Thurlow and Haydn impress Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Formidably Difficult - Antonín Dvorák's Piano Concerto, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... commendable, as far as it goes.'
Ask Alice - On talent and texts, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. Beautifully Expressive - The Isolani Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ask Alice - On personnel problems in orchestras, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Dual Personality? - In the 20th anniversary year of Bernstein's death, Giuseppe Pennisi writes about Italy's homage to Lenny
Ensemble. A True Dynamo - Lawrence Budmen listens to French conductor Ludovic Morlot, in concert with Jennifer Koh and the New World Symphony
CD Spotlight. Nearly Unknown - Bologna's Renaissance music, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi. '... an efficient and effective local ensemble ...'
Ensemble. A Bouquet of Bohèmes - Maria Nockin reviews one opera at two different venues
Ensemble. A Class Of Its Own - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Cleveland Orchestra
CD Spotlight. A Flowing Delivery - Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, heard by Howard Smith. '... vital technical flair ...'
DVD Spotlight. Tragic Power - Handel's 'Tamerlano', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The simplicity of the production is welcome ...'
CD Spotlight. Diverse and Interesting - Music by John A Carollo, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Only partly my cup of tea ...'
CD Spotlight. Invigoratingly Natural - Van Beinum conducts Mahler, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a tad less frenetic ...'
Ask Alice - A special Christmas message from Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
CD Spotlight. Beauty of Timbre - Vivica Genaux sings Vivaldi, heard by Maria Nockin. 'Genaux's diction is excellent ...'
Ensemble. Excellent Singing - Handel and Rossini from Los Angeles Opera impress Maria Nockin
Imaginative Heights - Gordon Rumson looks forward to the Calgary Art Song Competition
Ensemble. Lively and Spirited - A performance by Haydn Trio Eisenstadt, heard by Rebecca Schmid
Ensemble. A Bold Piece - Jonathan Dove's 'Swanhunter', reviewed by Patric Standford
A Model of Clarity - A new score of Elgar's 'Mina', appraised by Robert Anderson
CD Spotlight. Lyric Warmth - Jennifer Larmore sings Barber, Berlioz, Ravel and Britten, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a compelling disc ...'
Ask Alice - On full-size cellos and musicians' reputations, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. Life-enhancing - Mike Wheeler listens to the Atrium Quartet
Ensemble. Incisive Performance - Lawrence Budmen reports from the New World Symphony's new season
CD Spotlight. Intense Expressiveness - Music from Venice, reviewed by George Balcombe. '... an amazing display of eighteen short pieces ...'
Ask Alice - The truth about bishops and priests, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
CD Spotlight. Jaw-Dropping Technique - Sharon Bezaly plays Gubaidulina, Beamish and Takano, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... a beautiful tone at any volume in any octave ...'
Ensemble. A Classy Show - Pimlico Opera's 'Rigoletto', reviewed by Robert Hugill
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. Mozart across Niagara - Peter Hatch's 'Wiki Mozart' delights Jennifer Paull. '... an intoxicating cocktail.'
Ensemble. A Gala Atmosphere - Maria Nockin reports from Los Angeles Opera's opening night 'L'Elisir d'amore'
CD Spotlight. Perfection of Ensemble - Beethoven's early string quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. '... no excuse for the near-supersonic velocity ...'
CD Spotlight. Sacrificing the 'unmodern' - Music by Julius Röntgen and Per Nørgård, heard by George Balcombe. 'How could any audience resist ... ?'
Ask Alice - On heartbreak, parents and practice, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Thank You Mama - Bill Newman talks to pianist Igor Tchetuev
Ensemble. The Boys - Bill Newman was at Nettle and Markham's thirtieth anniversary recital
Ask Alice - On statistics, surveys and rock groups networking and the guitar, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
CD Spotlight. Very Powerful - Orchestral music by Vytautas Bacevicius, reviewed by Gordon Rumson. 'He had much to say and said it very well.'
A Liquid Lunch - A recital by Evelyne Berezovsky, heard by Julian Jacobson
Ensemble. Full Rein - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Elemental Music - Malcolm Miller listens to music-theatre works by Harrison Birtwistle
Ensemble. An Immensely Successful Event - Thomas Bielinski reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2009
A Natural Aristocrat - 'Cardus - Celebrant of Beauty' by Robin Daniels, reviewed by Robert Anderson
CD Spotlight. Glamorous Barbarity - John Corigliano's 'Circus Maximus', heard by Ron Bierman. 'The performances could not be bettered ...'
DVD Spotlight. Beyond Beauty - A film about Sergiu Celibidache, seen by Ioana Osoianu. 'There are no compromises.'
Ask Alice - Problems down at the ol' wind quintet, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ask Alice - On freelancers, swiping work and danger money, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Truly Hilarious - Jenny Setchell's book 'Organ-isms', recommended by Kelly Ferjutz
Music for Musicians Only? - The public turns a deaf ear to improvised music. As for classical music, Jan Dahlstedt claims that having abandoned improvisation, classical music entered a sidetrack from which it has never escaped, thus badly stifling creative progress. If he is guilty of heresy or may have a point, read on and judge for yourself.
The Composer's Conundrum - Gordon Rumson has some bad news about creativity and self-promotion
The Musician's Guide to Having an MRI - In an occasional series 'The Musician's Guides', Jennifer Paull offers a few tips for survival when confronted with being the square musical peg in a round musical hole
Ask Alice - When the ushers meet the musicians, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - School Orchestra
Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Threats
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - maturity and skill
I've got the music in me ... - Gordon Rumson writes about the status and behaviour of musicians
Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. Daily ritual - Switching nightmares for daymares
Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. The silent partner - Considering music we hear without listening
Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey. The use of abuse - Struggling for silence.
Editorial musings - Highs and lows. Global issues, with Basil Ramsey, announcing new online forms to publish your concerts and news items.
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