Czechs mourn chief conductor
The death was made known today of the long-serving Chief Conductor of the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra Vladimír Válek. He was 89 years old. Founder of the Dvořák Chamber Orchestra in 1970, Valek was in […]
classical music
Concertmaster is offered 15-year rape plea deal
The former Harrisburg Symphony concertmaster Odin Rathnam has been offered a 15-30 year sentence if he pleads guilty to 28 charges of child rape in Pennsylvania. The alternative is life in jail. Prosecutors want to […]
Composer Profile: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): A Reserved Finn with White-Hot Passion Within by Barry Lenson If you ask a group of music lovers to tell you something about the Finnish Composer Jean Sibelius, at least 10 of […]
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): A Musical Biography
By Barry Lenson The British composer Benjamin Britten wrote a remarkably large and varied body of music. His compositions range from the simply delightful Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra to the ravishingly beautiful Spring […]
Wakefield woes again
Nine months after its last flare-up, Wakefield Cathedral is back on the skids. The Dean announced this morning that he’s clearing out. Dimon Copwling has been in the job just over six years. There has […]
Fire at Paris Opera
The audience were evacuated Friday night from a performance of Lully’s opera Perseus. Fire broke out five minutes into the performance, apparently from a kitchen in the basement. Report here. The post Fire at […]
French trains will now carry double-basses – just one per train
French culture minister Rachida Dati has made an announcement at the Gare de Lyon that double-basses will be permitted in future to travel on TGV trains. Under these conditions: • Double basses transported on board […]
Do we review a banned conductor?
The Frenchman Francois-Xavier Roth has stopped conducting for the time being after being accused of sending indecent selfies to female members of an orchestra. Under current social norms, he has been globally cancelled. But Roth […]
Glass’ Piano Etudes on Somm: Giusto Di Lallo’s extraordinary readings
Here is a 10th Anniversary Special Edition of Philip Glass Selected Etudes performed by the pianist and composer, Giusto Di Lallo. This is interesting, as it presents a musicological, methodical approach to Glass’ music. Di Lallo poses a question to […]
Ruth Leon Pocket Theatre Review: The Years – Harold Pinter Theatre
The Years It’s only February but this, for me, is already the play of the year. The Years is about us and our time, but only if you are a woman who has lived through the […]
Latest Posts
