Dear Alma, I get poor value from my music school
From our agony aunt: Dear Alma, I am a student at a reputable music school pursuing an advanced degree. I am happy with the program and am learning a lot, but the one area in […]
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A US violinist gives his Strad to Belgium
Then enterprising siooloist Charles Castleman has entrusted his 1707 ‘Marquis de Champeaux’ Stradivarius violin to the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Brussels. Castleman came fifth in the Queen Elisabeth competition in 1963 and maintained a […]
Son of Richard Hickox lands first conducting job
The gifted Adam Hickox has been named chief coinductor of the Trindheim Symphony Orchestra in Norway from next year. He made his debut with them two months ago in Verdi’s Requiem. Adam is 28. In […]
Paavo Järvi mourns a leading string player
The conductor has posted a memorial notice for the Slovak violinist and violist Peter Zelienka, a key player in Frankfurt’s HR symphony orchestra since 1993. Zelienka was also founder-violist of the Haba Quartet and, lately, […]
The music is there, we only have to open our eyes: pianist Alexandra Dariescu on 100 Nutcrackers, advocating for women composers & a new direction at the Leeds International Piano Competition
Alexandra Dariescu (Photo: Nick Rutter) Back in 2018, I met up with pianist Alexandra Dariescu [see my interview] to chat about The Nutcracker and I, her innovative stage performance blending live piano music and dance […]
The Delights of Donizetti: Elixir at ENO
Donizetti L’elisir d’amore (sung in English, transl. Amanda Holden). Soloists; chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera / Teresa Riveira Böhm. London Coliseum, 20.11.2024 Production: Stage director – Harry Fehr Set designer – Nicky Shaw […]
Ruth Leon recommends… Judith Jamison
Judith Jamison One of the greatest dancers I ever saw, Judith Jamison, died this week and I would be remiss if I didn’t pay tribute to this beautiful woman who changed the world of contemporary […]
A rediscovered lullaby from Auschwitz
Leo Geyer, a doctoral student at Oxford University has unearthed a manuscript of Kołysanka (Lullaby), composed in Auschwitz in 1941 by a Polish political prisoner, Adam Kopyciński. The composer survived the camp and lived on […]
A new-gen Shostakovich
France Musique have uploaded a thoughtful reading of the first cello concerto a couple of weeks ago by rising contender Edgar Moreau. Well worth half an hour of your viewing life. The post […]
St Cecilia’s Day today (22nd November)
Today, on Saint Cecilia’s Day, we celebrate both the patron saint of music and the life of Benjamin Britten, who was born on this very day in 1913. To mark this occasion, Britten’s Hymn to Saint […]
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%20BBC%20Betsan%20Evans.jpg?w=160&resize=160,160&ssl=1 "Innovative repertoire, worthy winners & talent development: looking back at the final of BBC Young Musician")
