CONTENTS

Articles are shown in chronological order of publication, with the most recent first:

• Ensemble. A Richly-spiced Palette - Malcolm Miller reports on the world première of a new viola concerto in Tel Aviv


• An Enviable Technique - Matthew Schellhorn's Wigmore Hall début recital, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• CD Spotlight. Colour and Flair - Sonatas by Nardini, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett. '... a delightful recording ...'


• Record Box. A Sure Instinct - Music for string orchestra by Peteris Plakidis, heard by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - A little Godmotherly ceremonial advice, from classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Truly Invigorating - Opera fantasies for violin, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... engaging musical finesse.'


• Ensemble. A Singing Style - Violinist Jack Liebeck makes a short-notice appearance with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Excellently Contrasted - Mike Wheeler listens to tenor saxophonists Don Weller and Bobby Wellins, backed by a rhythm section and a string quartet from Sinfonia Viva


• Good-hearted Buoyancy - Dvorák and Brahms from Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. New Thinking - Maria Nockin experiences an updated version of Verdi's 'La Traviata'


• Ensemble. Profoundly Satisfactory - English National Opera's new production of 'The Merry Widow', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ask Alice - On zillions for Colburn and Juilliard, and the death of a landsnail named Edmund, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Le grand clavecin - The sixth Harpsichord Festival (Klavessiinifestival) in Tallinn, Estonia, 10-15 April 2008, attended by Peter G Howell


• Chopin in the Boondocks - Stephen De Pledge returns to New Zealand, by Howard Smith


• Ensemble. Exciting Times Ahead - Haydn, Beethoven and Judith Weir from Sinfonia Viva, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Lyrical Spaces - A recital by the Tippett Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Fitting Celebration - Plácido Domingo's Fortieth Anniversary Gala, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Worth Discovering - 'Atalanta' at the London Handel Festival, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ask Alice - Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh in Florida


• DVD Spotlight. Visually Captivating - The Labèque sisters play Stravinsky and Debussy, reviewed by Patric Standford. 'Altogether an impressive production with excellent performances.'


• Ensemble. Doomed Love - Verdi's 'Aida' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - On playing the violin, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Real Large Work - Mike Wheeler listens to Alban Gerhardt, Rory Macdonald and the Hallé Orchestra


• Wales loses its patriarch - Roderic Dunnett pays tribute to the Welsh composer Alun Hoddinott, who died in March 2008


• Penetrating Musical Insight - Evgenia Rubinova plays Chopin with the Orchestra of Opera North in Huddersfield and Leeds, heard by Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight. Unsettling - Microtonal music by Monroe Golden, reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... the overall effect is somehow stranger than the parts ...'


• Record Box. Glorious Textures - Sacred vocal music by Robert Parsons, reviewed by Patric Standford


• DVD Spotlight. Spitfire Coloratura - Die Zauberflöte from Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... this admirable DVD is a double first ...'


• Nota Bene - K C Devereaux tells the story of the second best piano student in the class


• Prizewinner's Recital - Malcolm Miller applauds Julian Clef at London's Foundling Museum


• CD Spotlight. An Unexpected Pleasure - Wind Concertos by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, enjoyed by Ron Bierman. 'Strongly recommended ...'


• Record Box. A Welcome Insight - Orchestral music by Charles Camilleri, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh celebrates her twenty-first birthday (again)


• CD Spotlight. Assurance and Experience - Music from Tony Gould and David Ward-Steinman, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... two players who specialise in shades of touch ...'


• Ensemble. A Mirror of Control - Chelsea Opera Group's 'Macbeth', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Movements - Not quite a review - but ... with Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. A Geordie Knees-Up - John Wilson conducts the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Trip to Heaven - 'Cavalleria Rusticana' and 'I Pagliacci' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• All Purpose Pianist - Brazilian Eduardo Monteiro plays at Wigmore Hall and talks to Bill Newman about his varied musical life


• Record Box. Innocent Mischief - Eduardo Monteiro plays piano music from Brazil, reviewed by Bill Newman


• Ask Alice - On performance nerves and the online cello, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Fascinating Programme - English vocal and instrumental music from Musica Mundi, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Depth and Sonority - The first concert by Malcolm Goldring and the Sitwell Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Timings - Both Sides of the Global Fence - James Gardner, by Jennifer Paull


• Ensemble. A Triumph - Bach's St John Passion from Derby, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Wonderfully Refreshing - Antoni Wit and the Warsaw Philharmonic on tour impress Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Highly Promising - Rossini, Schubert and Beethoven from the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. Above Praise - Rossini's 'La Cambiale di matrimonio', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... seductively lyrical where the young Rossini demands.'


• Record Box. Emotion and Rhythm - Concertos for string instruments by Laurent Petitgirard, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On God, rock concerts and earplugs, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. An Excellent Team - Bach's St Matthew Passion from Derby Cathedral, appreciated by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Great Fun - More from Sinfonia Viva's school and college residency project, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Great Promise - Malcolm Miller reports from the 2008 Beethoven Junior Intercollegiate Piano Competition


• An Enviable Reputation - Mike Brewer and The National Youth Choirs celebrate their 25th anniversary, by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Wonderfully Inventive - Music and dance on the theme of creation, appreciated by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Profoundly Satisfying - Donizetti's 'Anna Bolena' from English Touring Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill


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


• Ensemble. A New Fascism - 'Elektra' at Hungarian State Opera, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett


• CD Spotlight. Specific Qualities - Michael Hoppé's Requiem, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... a talented melodist ...'


• Ensemble. Dangers Transcended - A concert by Trio Albonata, enjoyed by Gordon Rumson


• Musically Thrilling - 'Maria Stuarda' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Striking Individuality - Choral music by Cecilia McDowall, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... clarity and conviction.'


• Record Box. Breathtaking Energy - Orchestral music by Komei Abe, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On green mountains and bowgrips, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Remarkable Scope - On Ronald Stevenson's eightieth birthday, Patric Standford reads Colin Scott-Sutherland's 'Ronald Stevenson: The Man and his Music'


• Postlude - Jennifer Paull writes on the 25th Anniversary of the death of Cathy Berberian


• Unflagging Energy - Nicola Meecham plays Haydn, Schubert, Ravel, Prokofiev and Gershwin, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Exuberant Work - Music for violin and piano by Ma Sicong, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... thoroughly enjoyable ...'


• Ensemble. Joyful and Celebratory - Schumann and Strauss from Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. An Unusual Production - Verdi's 'Otello' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Record Box. Bright Performances - Music for strings by Josef Myslivecek, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ensemble. Delectably Played - A concert by the Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Nicely Caught - A song recital by Richard Roddis and Clive Pollard, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Selling old cellos and bows on eBay, and a different kind of fish, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Profile. Expressing the Universe - Gillian Wills talks to conductor Muhai Tang


• CD Spotlight. A Unique Sound - Italian baroque music played on saxophones, appreciated by Paul Sarcich. '... quality with a very large Q.'


• Highly Readable - Paul Jackson's third book about the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Of Purest Heart - An unusual double bill at LA Opera impresses Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Absurdly Melodramatic - Mike Wheeler catches up with a touring production of 'La Traviata'


• Ask Alice - Someone old enough to spell properly has orange eyes? Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh investigates ...


• Ensemble. Romantic Love? - 'Lucia di Lammermoor' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Radiant Loveliness - 'Tristan and Isolde' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. A Believable Mixture - Mike Wheeler enjoys Jonathan Dove's opera 'The Adventures of Pinocchio'


• Assuming the Helm - Roderic Dunnett reports on two new appointments at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels


• Record Box. Fine Recordings - Orchestral music by Julius Burger, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On concert etiquette and goldfish, with Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Sweeter than Roses - Amorous music by Purcell inspires Howard Smith. '... glorious song with inspirational accompaniments.'


• Ensemble. Faultless Unanimity - A concert by the Roberts Quartet, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Expressive Power - Mike Wheeler listens to Natalie Clein and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra


• Ensemble. Playfulness and Spirit - Mike Wheeler joins the Hallé Orchestra's 150th birthday celebrations


• Undermining the Theme? - Malcolm Miller is disappointed by a Barenboim Beethoven recital in London


• CD Spotlight. Impressive Authority - Piano music by Phillip Ramey, reviewed by Anthony Davie. '... totally sympathetic with Ramey's style.'


• CD Spotlight. A Generous Earful - Peter Dawson favourites from Gregory Yurisch and the Tasmanian Symphony, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... in this repertoire they hardly miss a trick.'


• Ask Alice - On spoil-sports, weirdos and wind instruments, with Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Record Box. An Independent Voice - Patric Standford listens to orchestral music by Ester Mägi


• Ensemble. Rebuilt City - Malcolm Miller enjoys the first performance of Judith Weir's choral-orchestral work, 'Concrete'


• Medieval Legends - Richard Wagner's 'Tannhäuser' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• An Authentic Voice - Laura Kennelly visits Cleveland Ohio's latest opera company


• Record Box. Beautifully Played - Music by Igor Raykhelson, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Buzzing cellos and violin teachers scorned, with Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• A Passionate Commitment - Robert Hugill talks to Bach Choir conductor David Hill about Carl Rütti's new Requiem


• CD Spotlight. Second Fiddle? - Symphonies by Albert Roussel, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... clarity, focus and sheer ambience.'


• Ensemble. Thoughtfulness and Insight - Roderic Dunnett was at Armonico Consort's 'The Marriage of Figaro'


• A Cornucopia - Maria Nockin introduces San Diego Opera's new season


• Record Box. Splendidly Achieved - Music by Robert Hugill, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh deals with iTunes, Facebook and gender issues in conducting


• CD Spotlight. Compositional Integrity - Music by Thomas Fortmann, reviewed by Howard Smith. 'Thomas Fortmann has achieved what repeatedly eludes others ...'


• Ensemble. Story Telling - Robert Hugill was at London's recent Judith Weir weekend


• CD Spotlight. Flawlessly Performed - Shostakovich's Symphony No 10, chosen by Howard Smith. '... the results are very special.'


• Record Box. Song of Bergen - Music by Georg von Bertouch and from the Mestmacher Manuscript, enjoyed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On brains, hats, wives, books, music and animals, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Completions


• DVD Spotlight. Mozart and Smetana - The Nobilis Trio at Steinway Hall, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... musically pleasurable.'


• CD Spotlight. Substantially Admirable - Vocal music by Puccini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... more than sufficient ... to recommend unstintingly ...'


• Rui dos Reis - Jennifer Paull interviews and investigates the Portuguese composer-pianist


• Record Box. A Superb Performance - Music by Schubert and his circle, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On Nutcrackeritis and MRI scans, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Record Box. Irish Rambles - Music by Turlough O'Carolan, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall


• DVD Spotlight. Heart of Genius - Christopher Nupen's films about Andrés Segovia, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a quiet, heaven-sent artistry ...'


• CD Spotlight. An Intellectual Force - Piano music by Sergei Taneyev, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'Performances are expert and loving throughout ...'


• CD Spotlight. Gallic Clarity - Arias by Massenet, appreciated by Howard Smith. '... immeasurable lyric flair ...'


• Record Box. Apparent Enlightenment - Jeffrey Fisher's 'Fairy Tales' disappoints Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On cello grades, examiners and braincells, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Opposing Strengths - Beethoven and his music, by Margaret Willson


• DVD Spotlight. A Telling Moment - Poulenc's 'Dialogues des Carmélites', appreciated by Robert Anderson. '... finely expressed ...'


• Ensemble. An Auspicious Beginning - The first performance of a brand new opera company, marked by Maria Nockin


• DVD Spotlight. Ineluctably Absorbing - Ganelin Trio Priority live in Vilnius, enjoyed by Howard Smith. 'Jazz in Lithuania has never looked back.'


• CD Spotlight. Tumbling - David Leisner's 'Acrobats', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... as authoritative as one could wish.'


• Ensemble. Sensitively Attuned - Dvorák, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky from the Burlington Piano Trio, by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Bounce and Jollity - Derby Bach Choir's cathedral Christmas presentation, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh proposes a New York Philharmonic Orchestra tour to Pyongyang, Tehran, Harare and Rangoon


• Ensemble. Lavish Entertainment - 'The Adventures of Pinocchio' by Jonathan Dove and Alasdair Middleton, impresses Patric Standford


• DVD Spotlight. Rags to Riches - Rossini's 'La Cenerentola', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... irresistible throughout ...'


• DVD Spotlight. Unwavering Concentration - A 'Magic Flute' for children, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a very special production ...'


• Unexpected Delights - Mike Wheeler listens to The Sitwell Singers


• Record Box. Passion and Intensity - Vocal music by Gesualdo, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Magnificats and Fantasias - A Christmas programme from Derby Cathedral Choir, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Fair complaints and botox, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Religion


• Record Box. Family and Friends - Sara Botkin's Christmas collection, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Record Box. Distinctive and Attractive - 'Snowcarols' and other Christmas music by William Ferris, admired by Patric Standford


• Record Box. Spirited Performance - Festive music by Vaughan Williams, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Original and Brilliant - Trevor Barrett considers Dvorák's 'New World Symphony' as the most important symphonic work in American history


• Ensemble. Points of Contact - Choral music by Britten and Finzi from the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. A World of Wonder - Song cycles by John Joubert, recommended by Alice McVeigh. '... a passionate wildness to the piano writing ...'


• Record Box. For All Tastes - Christmas music from Germany, appreciated by Patric Standford


• Plenty of Atmosphere - A festive concert from the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Record Box. Excellent Singing - A Christmas selection from Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, enjoyed by Patric Standford


• Oriental Spice - 'A Celebration of Israeli Music', reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Artful Phrasing - 'La bohème' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Fishy Ripples? - Red Herrings Spawn in Rough Blogoon Waters, by Jennifer Paull


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Tunes


• Ensemble. Litmus Tests - Malcolm Miller at the fifteenth BPSE Beethoven Intercollegiate Piano Competition


• Ensemble. Viennese Pastry - Franz Lehár's 'The Merry Widow', reviewed by Susan Hampton


• Julian Jacobson - No longer one of British music's best-kept secrets! As reported by Malcolm Troup


• Ensemble. Simply Glorious - Los Angeles Opera revives 'Don Giovanni', by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Lively but Disciplined - Robert Hugill reviews a performance of Donizetti's 'Maria Stuarda'


• Jacques Barzun at 100 - Music and beyond, investigated by Gordon Rumson


• Ask Alice - High marks for Steven Isserlis, but not for Birmingham, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• DVD Spotlight. Inevitable Disaster - Verdi's 'Oberto' reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Vocally they are in full command ...'


• An Inspiring Read - Anthony Davie reads Victor Lederer's book 'Chopin: A Listener's Guide to the Master of the Piano'


• Editor's Inbox - Another selection of readers' letters


• Record Box. Slow and Indulgent - Marin Alsop conducts Brahms, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - King Solomon, Beta-blockers and trumpet players, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh


• Poignant Sweetness - Sarah Connolly and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Irresistible Momentum - Alexander Shelley at Sinfonia Viva's helm, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Musical Adaptability - Down under with the Wellington Orchestra, by Howard Smith


• Colour, Energy and Warmth - Mike Wheeler enjoys a performance of the Monteverdi Vespers


• Emotional Extremes - Tchaikovsky, Janácek and Schubert from the Iuventus Quartet, appreciated by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Beautifully Judged - Mike Wheeler draws attention to the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Orchestra


• Ensemble. Great Delight - Robert Hugill discovers two operas by Elizabeth Maconchy


• DVD Spotlight. Capital Comedy - 'Don Pasquale' enjoyed by Robert Anderson. 'The cast is admirable ...'


• Ensemble. A Majestic Reading - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Sibelius, Bach and Smetana from Pietari Inkinen and the CBSO


• Ask Alice - On the trail of a few artistic anythings in a dumbed down world is Alice McVeigh, agony aunt of culture


• Ensemble. Youthful Talent - Contemporary music from the Guildhall Brass Band, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller


• Ensemble. New Territory - An unusual version of Puccini's 'Turandot', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Requiem in Blue - Rex Harley was at Harvey Brough's 50th birthday concert


• A Pianistic Firecracker - A lunchtime recital by Tali Morgulis, enjoyed by Malcolm Troup


• CD Spotlight. A Definitive View - Imbi Tarum plays French Baroque harpsichord music, recommended by Peter G Howell. 'The playing is superb ...'


• A Superb Outing - Bellini's 'La Straniera', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ask Alice - Temptation in electronic form for Alice McVeigh, musicians' agony aunt extraordinaire


• Ensemble. A Memorable Concert - Chloë Hanslip, Slatkin and the RPO, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Musical Insight - Two piano recitals in Brisbane, reviewed by Gillian Wills


• CD Spotlight. Richly Creative - Orchestral music by Bechara El-Khoury, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a valuable addition ...'


• CD Spotlight. Plausible Interest - Chamber music by Kerry Turner, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... accessible, neatly made, technically challenging ...'


• Ensemble. Genuine Appreciation - Robert Hugill at a concert by Londinium City Voices


• Ask Alice - Ping Pong and the Noise Abatement Society, with classically trained agony aunt Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Impressively Balanced - Robert Hugill experiences Handel's opera 'Teseo'


• CD Spotlight. Unforced Miniatures - Balakirev and Russian folksong, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... to be applauded.'


• CD Spotlight. Enjoyable Colours - Russian music from Stokowski, reviewed by Patric Standford. 'The recordings do not show half a century of wear ...'


• Ensemble. A Full-Blooded Rendition - 'La Traviata' from Southern California, reviewed by Susan Hampton


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh has something else on her mind this week ...


• Ensemble. On Fine Form - Jeremy Hagan and the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Occasionally Stunning - Robert Hugill at English National Opera's 'The Coronation of Poppea'


• Ensemble. Beautifully Realised - Music for flute, viola and harp from The Wakeford Ensemble, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Positively Inspirational - Jennifer Koh plays Schumann, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... superbly accomplished performances ...'


• Ensemble. Dramatically Riveting - Maria Nockin at Arizona Opera's 'Lucia di Lammermoor'


• CD Spotlight. Temporal Constraints - Kyle Gann's 'Long Night', reviewed by Gordon Rumson. '... music that makes us think.'


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh has something on her mind this week ...


• Ensemble. Some Beautiful Singing - Dvorák's 'Rusalka' at the Prague State Opera, reviewed by Karen Haid


• CD Spotlight. Hope and Faith - J S Bach's Leipzig Chorales, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... the performances are exquisite.'


• Ensemble. Music of Friends - Malcolm Miller attends a concert in London's Great Chamber of the Charterhouse


• Warmth and Vigour - Mike Wheeler listens to a recital by the Adelfi Duo


• Ensemble. Dispiritingly Unmusical - The Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio on tour, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Stunning Precision - Janácek's 'Jenufa' in LA, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Beethoven in Budapest - The MÁV Symphony Orchestra with Zoltán Kocsis, reviewed by Karen Haid


• Ask Alice - Improving on Beethoven? More correspondence with Classical Music's Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Remarkably Paradoxical - Robert Hugill experiences James MacMillan's opera 'The Sacrifice' at Welsh National Opera


• 'Bach the European' - Malcolm Miller attends András Schiff's 2007 RAM Bach Prize Lecture-Recital


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Concerts


• CD Spotlight. Finesse and Subtlety - Orchestral music by Toru Takemitsu, recommended by Mike Wheeler. '... meticulous care for detail ...'


• CD Spotlight. Formidable Technique - Elena Kuschnerova plays Stravinsky, recommended by Howard Smith. '... unrivalled.'


• Ensemble. Refreshingly Inventive - Julian Bliss, Nicholas Kok and Sinfonia Viva in Nottingham, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh meets the Head Chief Moose ...


• CD Spotlight. Great Panache - The complete wind quintets of Ferenc Farkas, appreciated by Paul Sarcich. '... the whole set simply reeks charm.'


• Ensemble. Fresh and Intense - Gluck's 'Iphigénie en Tauride', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Expressive Power - A recital by cellist Tim Hugh impresses Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. Intriguing - Sheila Silver's 'The Thief of Love', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... music of great beauty.'


• DVD Spotlight. Sensual Drama - West Australian Ballet in Shchedrin's 'Carmen', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... colourful and energetic ...'


• Ask Alice - Confucius (in the guise of Geoff of Hampstead) predicted the perfect recipe for Alice McVeigh's Classical Music Agony Aunt column: dachshunds, daughters' birthdays, God, goldfish, husbands, landsnails, mothers, parrots, slices of apple and the scent of gerbils, but not the slightest hint of classical music ...


• CD Spotlight. Tapestry of Colours - Music by Karol Szymanowski, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... a rewarding partnership ...'


• CD Spotlight. A Colorful Collection - Music for guitar played by David Isaacs, reviewed by Anna L Franco. '... expressive performance ...'


• CD Spotlight. Unrivalled - János Starker plays Bartók, Boccherini, Kodály, Mozart and Leo Weiner, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... instrumental artistry at its finest.'


• Ensemble. A Blockbuster Weekend - Beethoven's 'Fidelio' and Verdi's 'Requiem' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Record Box. Enjoyable Artistry - Stanley Wilson sings Cole Porter, reviewed by Anna L Franco


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh's adventures in China ...


• Ensemble. Important to Dream - Unusual performances of 'The Tales of Hoffmann', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz


• CD Spotlight. Monumental - Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius' from Birmingham, appreciated by Patric Standford. '... a rich performance by both chorus and orchestra ...'


• CD Spotlight. Life-affirming Mozart - Recordings from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's 2006 Festival, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... bold, arresting, re-creative performances ...'


• Record Box. Extremely Prolific - Music by Carson Cooman, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Enthusiastically Recommended - Howard Smith reads an 'owner's manual' of Sibelius orchestral works


• Ensemble. Rapt and Radiant - Sarah Connolly, The Hallé Orchestra and Mark Elder visit Derby, and Mike Wheeler was in the audience


• Record Box. Beautifully Subtle - Cuarteto Casals plays Ravel, Turina and Toldrá, reviewed by Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight. Surprisingly Novel - Flute sonatas by the eight-year-old Mozart, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... superb advocacy ...'


• Ensemble. Primal Energy - Barenboim and the Vienna Philharmonic play Bartók, Kodály, Enescu and Ligeti


• Changing Tastes - Ciaran McAuley on the rejuvenation of opera


• Ensemble. Much to Contemplate - New ideas at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Personal Charm - A tribute to Luciano Pavarotti, who died this week, from Tess Crebbin


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh on the trail of no ordinary newsflash ...


• Ensemble. Vibrant Harmony - Shirley Ratcliffe was at Snape Proms to hear The London Adventist Chorale directed by Ken Burton


• Ensemble. Full Circle - The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra opens Musikfest Berlin, reviewed by Ciaran McAuley


• A Milestone in Dance - Lawrence Budmen's second report from The Berkshires


• Ensemble. Precisely Timed - Mester and Slawitschek impress Tess Crebbin at the Thann Festival


• Ensemble. Brilliantly Engaging - Jirí Antonín Benda's 'Romeo and Juliet', reviewed by Roderic Dunnett


• Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Two productions at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Getting Physical


• Multi-tasking - Peter Gould plays the organ at Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Tony Westerman


• In Perfect Balance - Mike Wheeler listens to the last of Derby Cathedral's 2007 summer organ recitals


• DVD Spotlight. Major Delights - Rossini's 'Il Viaggio a Reims' entertains Robert Anderson. '... an evening of pure champagne.'


• DVD Spotlight. Haunting Imagery - Tony Palmer tells the story of Shostakovich, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a landmark among 20th century cinema documents.'


• Ensemble. An Intellectual Oasis - Lawrence Budmen returns to Tanglewood to hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh tries to change her email address


• Ensemble. Fortune Smiles - Gillian Wills was at Australia's Bangalow Music Festival


• CD Spotlight. Breathtaking Poetry - Svetlanov conducts Rachmaninov, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Svetlanov's affinity with Rachmaninov's daring idioms is always apparent.'


• CD Spotlight. Talented and Promising - Music by Carson P Cooman, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... striking felicities of orchestral expression ...'


• Record Box. A Driving Force - Music commissioned and played by Richard Nunemaker, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh gives a worst-first view of her recent vacation


• Ensemble. Perfect All Round - Tess Crebbin visits the Opera Festival at Gut Immling in Bavaria for Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera'


• An Extraordinary Showcase - Malcolm Troup was at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's annual Summer Festival in London


• Extremely Detailed - Daniel Felsenfeld's 'Tchaikovsky - A Listener's Guide', reviewed by Anna L Franco


• DVD Spotlight. Dynamism and Subtlety - 'Simon Boccanegra' from the Vienna State Opera impresses Robert Anderson. 'The Work is in the safest possible hands ...'


• CD Spotlight. Sheer Enjoyment - Music by Saint-Saëns, reviewed by Howard Smith. 'The LPO is in peak condition ...'


• Ensemble. A Must-See - 'Tosca' at the Bregenz Festival, reviewed by Tess Crebbin


• Ask Alice - Whilst Alice is on vacation, deputy Classical Music Agony Aunt Kelly Ferjutz writes about women composers


• Searing Intensity - Gillian Wills talks to conductor Sebastian Lang-Lessing in the context of the recent Mendelssohn Festival in Hobart, Tasmania


• Record Box. Singing Qualities - Jennifer Koh plays Szymanowski, Martinu and Bartók, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Record Box. Dissonance-Free - John Rutter's 'Mass of the Children', reviewed by Patric Standford


• Elgar and Englishness - Alistair Hinton takes issue with Patric Standford's recent 'Provocative Thoughts'


• Grand Scale - Mike Wheeler attends summer organ recitals by Tom Corfield and Johan Hermans


• Ask Alice - Questions about Mussorgsky and about living women composers, fielded by deputy Classical Music Agony Aunt Kelly Ferjutz


• DVD Spotlight. Austria's Dynamo - A brief history of the Salzburg Festival, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... mandatory viewing!'


• CD Spotlight. Lovebirds - Music for two flutes and piano, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'Recommended, especially for Schickele and the "Dances" of Schocker.'


• DVD Spotlight. Bloodthirsty Tyranny - A historical production of Beethoven's 'Fidelio', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Beethoven is free to tell an unvarnished tale ...'


• Ensemble. 'Daphne' in the Desert - Karen Haid was in Santa Fe for the Richard Strauss one-act opera


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Elgar and England


• CD Spotlight. A Sheer Delight - Orchestral music by Dvorák, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... vigorous and vital ...'


• Ask Alice - On Handel and helping Russia, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Beautifully Judged - Mike Wheeler makes a final visit to the Buxton Festival for Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro'


• DVD Spotlight. A Wonderful Introduction - The work of Harry Partch, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... the musical language is direct and approachable.'


• Ensemble. Capturing the Essence - Mike Wheeler returns to the Buxton Festival to hear members of Sinfonia Viva


• Compelling Effect - Malcolm Archer at the organ of Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Conservative or Progressive? - Malcolm Miller attends the historic modern revival of Striggio's sixty-part Mass


• Ensemble. Emotional Degradation - Music Theatre Wales presents Philippe Boesmans' 'Julie', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Brahms and Jazz - Organist Peter Gould joins forces with The Swingle Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. Elemental Ferocity - Verdi's 'Otello', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... this Desdemona can float a line with utmost tenderness ...'


• Ensemble. Infectious Melodies - Torroba's zarzuela 'Luisa Fernanda' at Los Angeles Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Beautifully Arranged - 'Antal Doráti and the joy of making music' by Richard Chlupaty, reviewed by Anna L Franco


• Ask Alice - Clearly unhinged? Read on, as Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh takes on Wikianswers, J S Bach and Johann Peter Kellner


• Ensemble. Two Worlds Bridged - The first performance of Heiner Goebbels' 'Songs of Wars I have Seen', reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ensemble. Convincing and Moving - John Adams' 'Doctor Atomic' receives its first European performance, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ensemble. Ravishing Beauty - Malcolm Miller enjoys Jonathan Harvey's 'Wagner Dream' at the Holland Festival in Amsterdam


• Ensemble. Nimbleness and Warmth - The Armonico Consort at the Buxton Festival, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Uniformly Strong - Tobias and the Angel, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Simply Wonderful - Mozart's 'Il re pastore' at Garsington, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett


• Temperament and Imagination - Alberto Portugheis enjoys a recital by the Romanian-American pianist Eugene Alcalay


• Ask Alice - Barking, biting and a hole in the head ... the case of Anna Magdalena and Buckie Bear versus Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh and her dachshund


• Ensemble. Profoundly Moving - Bellini's 'I Capuletti e I Montecchi', enjoyed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Beethoven and Blue Skies - The 2007 Australian Festival of Chamber Music begins, and Malcolm Tattersall is there


• Richness and Clarity - Ashley Grote opens Derby Cathedral's series of summer organ recitals, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Sheer Verve - The Derby Bach Choir sings HMS Pinafore, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Fascinating Programming - A report from the Sarasota Music Festival 2007, by Lawrence Budmen


• Ensemble. Dramatic Effect - Handel's 'Semele' at Grange Park, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Lush Sonorities - Kelly Ferjutz writes about her penultimate day at the 2007 West Cork Chamber Music Festival


• Ensemble. Magical - A Stravinsky and Purcell double bill at Opera North, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Music-lovers' Paradise - Kelly Ferjutz is in awe of some of the musicians at the 2007 West Cork Chamber Music Festival


• Ensemble. Beautiful Playing - More chamber music from the south west of Ireland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ask Alice - An unscheduled visit to the other side, for Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Entirely Transcendent - Another day at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, with Kelly Ferjutz


• The bottom of my lis(z)t?? - Alistair Hinton comments on Patric Standford's recent Provocative Thoughts


• Ensemble. Flying Dutchmen - More from Bantry House, West Cork, Ireland, with Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. From Strength to Strength - Another day at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, with Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Classy Performance - Summer with The Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Intelligence and Intensity - Kelly Ferjutz continues her reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival


• Ensemble. Settling in - Kelly Ferjutz prepares for a week of reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival


• Ensemble. Absorption of Influences - A revival of Bloch's early C sharp minor symphony, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Liszt


• The End of an Adventure - Kelly Ferjutz marks the end of an era in American classical music radio


• Ask Alice - Saying no to Yo-Yo, by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Names of Allah - Malcolm Miller reflects on a John Tavener first performance


• Record Box. Ample Richness - A recital for harp, reviewed by Paul Sarcich


• CD Spotlight. Lifting the Spirits - A benefit concert for the Kitezh Children's Community, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Berkofsky tailors the accompaniments with demonstrable taste and empathy.'


• DVD Spotlight. Happy Signposts - 'Die Frau ohne Schatten' from the Bavarian State Opera, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'It is evident that Sawallisch loves the work.'


• Record Box. Unexceptionable - Malcolm Tattersall reviews music from Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina


• Ask Alice - John Attanas' recent book about Yo-Yo Ma, reviewed by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Degree of Truth - A spring remembrance concert for the Armenian victims of 1915, reviewed by Bill Newman


• Ensemble. Back to the Future - Cantors in concert at JMI Central, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• CD Spotlight. Quite Magical - Staatskapelle Berlin plays Mahler's Ninth, recommended by Patric Standford. 'Barenboim and Mahler are fine partners.'


• Ensemble. Smiles on Faces - 'The Merry Widow' from Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Pure Magic - 'Der Rosenkavalier' by Richard Strauss, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ask Alice - On orchestral politics, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Riveting Evening - Janácek's 'Katya Kabanová', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. Weird Love Tales - Offenbach's 'The Tales of Hoffmann', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a cast, orchestra, conductor and stage team fully up to tackling a very demanding project.'


• Ensemble. Stunning Performance - Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Anne-Marie McDermott in New York, enjoyed by Anna L Franco


• Ensemble. Wonderfully Vivid - Robert Hugill praises Grange Park Opera's production of Prokofiev's 'The Gambler'


• The Meaning of Friendship? - Kelly Ferjutz tells the story of Richard Waugh and his friend Charles Barr


• Ensemble. A Divine Evening - The London Bridge Ensemble plays Brahms, Beethoven and Schumann, enjoyed by Tau Wey


• Ensemble. A Celebratory Feel - Grange Park Opera's 'The Magic Flute', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• CD Spotlight. Emotional Extremes - Malcolm Arnold string quartets, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'I recommend savoring the Maggini's outstanding advocacy ...'


• Ensemble. Beethoven Rules! - Malcolm Troup reports from the recent Annual Beethoven Chamber Music (Duos) Masterclass and Competition at London's Steinway Hall


• Limitless Combinatorics - Eric Pettine postulates 'No Shortage of Melodies Anytime Soon', and offers some real hope for cynical musicians who think they've heard it all


• Majestic Performance - Martino Tirimo's final 2006 Mozart recital, reviewed by Bill Newman


• Ask Alice - A crisis for a double bass beginner, and 'Death in Venice' at English National Opera, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Joyous Celebration - Music by M Zachary Johnson, reviewed by Anna L Franco


• Ensemble. A Magnetic Presence - Mozart's 'Figaro' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Record Box. Beautiful Tone - J S Bach for guitar, reviewed by Anna L Franco


• No Stone Left Unturned - A book about the business of conducting, explored by Paul Sarcich


• Ensemble. Sparkling Performances - The Hallé Orchestra plays Colin Matthews, Debussy, Poulenc and Tchaikovsky, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - On talent, known and unknown, and at home and abroad, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Technologies


• CD Spotlight. A Neat Idea - Edmund Battersby plays Beethoven on piano and fortepiano, reviewed by Mike Wheeler. '... it's fascinating to hear the two side-by-side ...'


• A Real Treasure House - Dialogues with and about John Cage, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ensemble. Fine Playing - The Czech National Symphony on tour, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. A Heady Mix - Havergal Brian's Symphonies 4 and 12, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... Adrian Leaper marshals his enormous forces well ...'


• Ensemble. Sordid Ferocity - 'Rigoletto' at the Grand Theatre in Leeds, UK. Patric Standford at the revival of last autumn's sensational production


• Ask Alice - On rigged auditions and the threat of digital orchestras, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Provocative thoughts - Keith Barnard replies to Patric Standford's latest article on intervals


• Ensemble. Taut Austere Passion - Music with a Britten and Auden connection, performed by John Lofthouse and Stephen Rose, and reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Vociferous and Delectable - Martino Tirimo plays Mozart, reviewed by Bill Newman


• Ensemble. Strange Bedfellows - 'Les Noces' and 'Dido and Aeneas' at Opera North in Leeds. Patric Standford was at the first night on 5 May 2007


• Fascinating and Rewarding - Machaut, O'Regan and Brumel from The Orlando Consort and Viva Voce, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Worldly Forces - Alban Berg's 'Wozzeck' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Featuring the Flute - A recital by Jeanne Baxtresser, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... lovely but relatively rarely heard pieces.'


• Ask Alice - How to get something out of nothing, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Record Box. Well Produced - The structured improvisations of Alexandra Gardner, reviewed by Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight. Undivided Artistry - Remus Azoitei plays Enescu, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a truly commanding performance.'


• Ensemble. Wondrous Colours - Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung play Schubert, Ravel and Stravinsky, reviewed by Bill Newman


• CD Spotlight. Illusion and Intrigue - English Songbooks of the 1700s, reviewed by George Balcombe. '... Baroque charms ...'


• Ensemble. Emotive Power - Roderic Dunnett sings the praises of John Joubert, following the recent première of 'Wings of Faith' in Birmingham UK


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh mourns the passing of the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich


• Ensemble. Purity of Style - Malcolm Miller enjoys a Piano Circus event in north-west London


• The Wandering Traveller - Kelly Ferjutz delves further into Richard Wagner and the forthcoming symposium in Ohio


• Ensemble. Lithe and Springy - The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Interval Talk - Alistair Hinton comments on Patric Standford's recent 'Provocative Thoughts'


• CD Spotlight. Expert Orchestration - Music by Lee Actor, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'Strongly recommended.'


• Ensemble. Real Inspiration - Verse anthems from FifteenB, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett


• Record Box. Gentle and Meditative - Music by Peter Dickinson, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On 'Swingin' Samson, pathetic excuses and American gun law, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Eloquent Performance - A concert by Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Energy and Playfulness - A concert by the wind players of Ensemble 360 ends Derby Chamber Music's 2006-7 season and satisfies Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Expressive Fervour - Elgar's 'The Music Makers' in Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Companion Pieces - A Ravel / Puccini double bill, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Intervals


• Ensemble. Delayed Reaction - Sondheim's 'Merrily we roll along', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Always a Thrill - Los Angeles Opera's production of Wagner's 'Tannhäuser', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Drama and Sonority - The Rosamunde Trio plays Dvorák, Fribbins and Beethoven, reviewed by Bill Newman


• Ask Alice - On children's gems, Joshua Bell and The Washington Post, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. An Imaginative Production - 'Il Trovatore' in San Diego, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. A Godsend - Heritage Opera's 'La Bohème', reviewed by Roderic Dunnett


• Beethoven's Supremacy - The 2007 Beethoven Junior Intercollegiate Piano Competition, reviewed by Julian Jacobson


• Ask Alice - On cello quartets, satanic dances and cricket, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• An Admirable Book - Alan Riding and Leslie Dunton-Downer's companion to opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Why Canton? - On the creation of an international Wagner symposium, by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Various Challenges - Music by Trevor Hold, Elgar, Parry, Stanford, Delius and Vivaldi from the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Hide and Seek - Finding Mozart in his image, by Thomas Larson


• Ensemble. A Sonorous Feast - Music-making by Cédric Tiberghien, Jirí Belohlávek and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ask Alice - Tips on baroque bowing and orchestral touring from Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Benjamin Lees about his Piano Concerto No 3


• Ensemble. Simply Ravishing - Sakari Oramo and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra play Mahler, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Distant Sound - LA Opera's 'Recovered Voices', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Silvery Tone - A recital by Serena Leader and Gordon Back, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• DVD Spotlight. Enchanting Mockery - Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Mikado', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Chorus and orchestra under Andrew Greene rollick their way through ...'


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh deals with Disgusted of Greater London


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Tchaikovsky


• DVD Spotlight. Taut Conviction - Wagner's 'Lohengrin', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a delight to watch.'


• CD Spotlight. Contemplating Harmony - Music by Warren Burt, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... almost hypnotically attractive ...'


• Ensemble. Robust and Vigorous - Saint-Saëns' 'Samson and Delilah', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Real Drama - 'Poro' at the London Handel Festival, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Exquisite Finesse - A concert by the Elias Quartet, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - This week, a raging head-colb forb Classicub Musib Abonub Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Highly Dramatic - Nelly Miricioiu in Bellini's 'Beatrice di Tenda', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• DVD Spotlight. Political Controversy - The making of an American opera, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a searching work that spares no punches ...'


• CD Spotlight. Across the Meadow - British light music, reviewed by George Balcombe. '... a wasteland of clone music.'


• Ensemble. Lustrous Sounds - Kurt Weill's 'The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Tremendous Urgency - Derby Bach Choir's performance of Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Music either side of the big duck pond, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - A concert by the Philharmonia of the Nations, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Grim and Visceral - Masao Ohki's 'Hiroshima Symphony', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'A blistering 2005 performance ...'


• Ensemble. Exploiting the Unexpected - Handel's 'Orlando' from Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Colourful Renditions - Recitals by Denitsa Laffchieva and Evelina Puzaite, reviewed by Bill Newman


• Ensemble. Rich Gutsy Tone - Kala Ramnath and friends meet Sinfonia Viva, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Unstoppable Momentum - Masterpieces from the Austro-Germanic symphonic repertoire played by Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Outstanding Performances - Susan Milan at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman


• CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Colourful - Symphonies by Adolphus Hailstork, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... right on the ball, clean and clear ...'


• Ensemble. Dramatic Story-telling - A performance of J S Bach's 'St John Passion', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Magnificent Performance - More reviews from London's Wigmore Hall, from Bill Newman


• Ensemble. The Power of Music - Performances of 'The Magic Flute' and 'Orfeo' from Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Problems down at The Black Horse, reported by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Creative Heritage - Regrets and remedies, the Wigmore way, by Bill Newman


• Ensemble. Which Concerto? - A concert by the European Union Chamber Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Italianate Sparkle - Opera North's 'The Elixir of Love', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• 'It's all lip-synched' - Gordon Rumson muses on best (or worst) practice in the music world


• Ensemble. Dramatic Veracity - Puccini's 'Turandot' from St Louis, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. New Meanings? - An evening of subtle brutality, by Karen Haid


• Ask Alice - Dealing with the editor, by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Magical Blend - Malcolm Miller enjoys the Sariel-Ghilione Duo and Yehezkel Braun's new Sonata for Mandolin and Guitar


• Ensemble. A Valentine Extravaganza - Julian Jacobson in the first of his orchestral Valentine Extravaganzas, enjoyed by Malcolm Troup


• Splendidly Sonorous - Sharona Joshua plays a copy of an early piano, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Musical Paradise - The Artemis Quartet shines at Urbana's Krannert Center, reviewed by Sonja Stojanovic


• Ensemble. Boundaries of the Possible - Malcolm Miller admires Simon Bainbridge's new BBC commission, 'Diptych', which explores and goes beyond the boundaries of the possible


• Ensemble. Stylistic Eclecticism - A concert by the Eden Chamber Orchestra, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ask Alice - A theatrical warning about 'The Coram Boy' from Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Light-hearted Approach - Handel's 'Agrippina' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Energy and Drama - Handel's 'Messiah' from The Sitwell Singers, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Thrilling Performance - The Moscow State Symphony Orchestra visits Nottingham, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Pros and Cons - Music by Max Bruch, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... unruffled, reasonably considered, technically secure ...'


• DVD Spotlight. Leaves of Regeneration - Wagner's 'Tannhäuser', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a subtlety no other house can match.'


• DVD Spotlight. Shostakovich's Shocker - 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... fully appropriate disorder ...'


• Ask Alice - Is Beethoven in your toothbrush? Talk to our Classical Music Agony Aunt, Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. New Light - A performance by Christian Knapp and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Yiddish Winterreise - Malcolm Miller reviews a concert to commemorate Holocaust Day


• 'Shooting the Pianist'! - The eerie case of a South-American pianistic 'revenant', by Malcolm Troup


• Deadly Wit - Michael Levin's 'Settling the Score', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Extremely Traditional - 'Madama Butterfly' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - The trouble with siblings, by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• A Comprehensive Overview - David Hurwitz on Dvorák, recommended by Ron Bierman


• Ensemble. Fiery Performance - The Hallé Orchestra plays Elgar and Wagner, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. An Interesting Mix - Sacred treasures, enjoyed by Robert Hugill. '... certainly intoxicating.'


• DVD Spotlight. A Memorable Experience - 'Fedora', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Giordano's wishes were admirably followed ...'


• Ask Alice - On curses and blessings, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Meira Warshauer about her new Symphony, 'Living, Breathing Earth'


• Ensemble. An Impressive Partnership - A recital by Katherine Jenkinson and Alison Farr, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Lithe and Musical - Donizetti's 'La Fille du Regiment', enjoyed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Opera at the Movies - Maria Nockin experiences Tan Dun's 'The First Emperor'


• Ask Alice - On Guarneri cellos and firing pupils, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Clarity and Honesty - Malcolm Troup's recital at St Martin-in-the-Fields, reviewed by Julian Jacobson


• Ensemble. Magical Music Theatre - Patric Standford was at the first night of Opera North's 'The Magic Flute'


• Ensemble. Especially Dramatic - Premières by Sheriff and McCabe, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Record Box. Highly Accomplished - Paul Neebe plays American trumpet concertos, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Imbued with Quality - David L Nelson on Vienna, recommended by Howard Smith


• Ask Alice - On concert shoes and extending the nativity, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Record Box. Clear Vividness - The 1751 version of Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ensemble. Remarkably Attractive - A rare London concert by Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Record Box. Vibrant Presentation - A worthy memorial to William Ferris, reviewed by Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight. Olde Worlde updated ? - Music by Paul Schwartz, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... consistently pleasing, somewhat innocuous, easy sounds ...'


• CD Spotlight. Intense Seriousness - A recital by Canadian pianist Robert Silverman, recommended by Gordon Rumson


• Ask Alice - On ornaments, New Year and the Malvern Hills, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. A Sense of Evolution - Malcolm Miller at an evening of music and drama celebrating 350 years of Jews in Britain


• Record Box. An Enjoyable Exposition - Music by Teresa LeVelle, reviewed by Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight. Perceptive Musicianship - Oboe concertos played by Andrea Gullickson, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... highly recommended ...'


• DVD Spotlight. Global Society - Richard Strauss's 'Der Rosenkavalier', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The Viennese chorus and orchestra know this opera inside out ...'