After two disappointing orchestral releases (from John Wilson on Chandos and, especially, Barbara Hannigan on Alpha Classics), followed by 2 that I was more than pleased with (featuring music of Mel Bonis), I was thrilled […]
We’ve met Philip Moore (born 1943) a couple of times on Classical Explorer previously: A Fugal Flourish on “Personent Hodie” on Christmas Bells, and one of his 21 settings of the Evening Service on Andrew Nethsingha’s […]
Pat Metheny’s return to the Barbican Centre, the first of two performances, spoke about an artist whose work has shaped modern jazz and jazz guitar artistry for half a century. At 71, he is still […]
The Magic Flute means many things to many people, ranging between its two narrative poles of a serious story or Bildungsroman about enlightenment from the forces of darkness and evil (represented by Tamino and Pamina) and […]
Here’s a symphony that lives up to its name: the outburst that opens Respighi’s Sinfonia drammatico (1913-15, P. 102) is a late-Romantic explosion, and al the music seems to want to do thenceforth is get […]
A new play which premieres at Park Theatre on 27 August and runs until 10 October, is set to explore the life and music of Dmitri Shostakovich. Holy Fool by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers […]
To my count, this is the eighth post on Classical Explorer featuring playing by Emanuel Despax: he is worth the focus, for sure, a rare meeting of musical sensitivity and high technique. ThePiano Quintet in […]
After Pappano’s Tristan, Jessye’s Isolde: as part of Decca’s “The Unreleased Masters,” a selection of excerpts which “for various reasons, was never published”. Masur’s way with the Prelude is mobile, and climax-focused, the Leipzig Gewandhaus […]
Vasily Petrenko’s Academy for Young Conductors in Yerevan, Armenia (Photo: © Primavera Foundation of Armenia) Vasily Petrenko’s Academy for Young Conductors takes place each year in Yerevan, Armenia. The Academy brings together Vasily Petrenko, Music […]
After an all-Czech Wimbledon Ladies’ Final, a very much all-Czech symphonic release: Ondřej, Jiří, Jakub and Tomáš conspire to give is a very special disc of live performances. Ondřej Kukal (born 1964) is a graduate […]
.png?w=160&resize=160,160&ssl=1 "OutLoud! a new company amplifying queer stories launches with fun, campy production of Humperdinck's Hansel & Gretel")
