Spivakov is named Hero of Labour
The violinist and conductor Vladimir Spivakov, head of Moscow’s International House of Music, has been awarded a state honour by his friend in the Kremlin. Spivakov, 80, joins a list of hard-handed sons of toil. […]
classical music
Sad death of principal oboe, 42
The Gustav Mahler youth orchestra has announced the death of its former member Victor Aviat, after a short illness. Victor was principal oboe of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, widely known and well liked. He also […]
Just in: Berlin culture chief quits
The controvesial culture senator Joe Chialo who was responsible for dopuble-digit cuts across the traditional arts resigned this morning, saying he was unhappy with the cuts he was forced to make. Chialo said: ‘Last year, […]
An anti-depressant for all: introducing Soundabout, the UK’s Learning Disability Music Charity
Joint Workshop with National Children’s Choir of Great Britain in April 2025 ‘absolute magic, the only side-effect is joy’ Until Thursday (1 May 2025) I had not really heard about the work of Soundabout the […]
Alastair Macaulay reviews: Two plays about masculinity (Including Britten)
From our critic in residence, Alastair Macaulay reviews Patrick Marber and Mark Ravenhill: “Dealer’s Choice” and “Ben and Imo”. The abiding subject of the playwright Patrick Marber is masculinity: which, for him, includes male bonding, masculinity […]
The sheer joy of performing together: Music in Secondary Schools Trust’s 12th Annual Concert
MiSST Together Orchestra in rehearsal at the Barbican The Music in Secondary Schools Trust’s 12th Annual Concert; Barbican CentreReviewed 23 April 2025 Over 300 students from beginners to Grade 8 come together to celebrate 12 […]
Making connections between styles & eras: violinist Holly Harman & friends launch their album Ground with a mix of 17th century violin virtuosity, folk directness & sheer imagination
Holly Harman Ground: Nicola Matteis, Heinrich Biber, Turlough O’Carolan/James Oswald, Marco Uccellini, Alice Zawadzki, Sid Goldsmith; Holly Harman, Carina Cosgrave, Oliver John Ruthven, Kristiina Watt, Sid Goldsmith; Stone NestReviewed 30 April 2025 Launching her album, […]
Elgar from America, Volume 1 on SOMM
This might be Classical Explorer‘s first encounter with Arturo Toscanini, the great enigma. For years, I railed against him, both of my feet firmly in the Furtwängler camp. Cue a sheaf of reviews for the […]
Polish Chamber Music from the DAFO String Quartet on DUX
This box set was apparently issued to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the DAFO String Quartet. But you would never know that unless you read the enclosed booklet very attentively, where it is inconspicuously mentioned […]
Leif-Ove Andsnes: I started out in a brass band
The Norwegian pianist tells David Krauss on Speaking Soundly about growing up with a father who conducted brass bands. Leif-Ove played euphonium until he was 17. He also sang in a church choir. ‘I am […]
Latest Posts
%20TallWall%20Media_Oxford%20Song.jpg?w=160&resize=160,160&ssl=1 "There was no closure here: four Irish women composers give voice to women of the Magdalene Laundries in remarkable performances from Lotte Betts-Dean & Deirdre Brenner in Oxford")
