Big birthday cheque for Sir Simon Rattle
He’s not 70 til Sunday but the Big Berthas of German industry this morning awarded him the 2025 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. He will receive 250,000 Euros. Three composers – the Iranian Canadian Ashkan […]
classical music
A highly effective synthesis: James Joyce’s The Dead in a dramatised reading from Niamh Cusack with music from The Fourth Choir that underscored the emotional drama
The Dead – Niamh Cusack, The Fourth Choir, Jamie Powe – Wilton’s Music Hall (Photo: Kathleen Holman) The Dead: James Joyce, Sarah MacDonald, Rhona Clarke, Robert Parsons, Bellini, Aine Mallon, Joanna Marsh, Samuel Barber, Healey […]
Bach’s B minor Mass from Basel
This release celebrates 25 years of La Cetra Basel. deferred to as “greatest musical masterpiece of all time,” in the 19th century, Bach’s Mass in B minor remains.toweing msterpiece. As conductor Andrea Marcon says, “It […]
Dawn raid: Sony swoops on Supraphon
Sidelined in the last round of label takeovers which saw Universal acquire Hypperion, Apple buy Bis and Klaus Heymann take over Chandos, slow-moving Sony Classical has just bought the venerable Czech label Supraphon. This is […]
Record biz mourns inspiring leader
Classical recording people have been sharing memories of Bill Holland, former CEO of Universal Classics and Jazz, who died at the end of the year, aged 81. Bill started out sweeping floors in an Oxford […]
Cancer claims guitar legend, 57
The Spanish classical guitarist José Luis de la Paz has died of a rapid cancer in Miami. He had lived in the US for the past decade. José accompanied and composed for leading flamenco dancers.. […]
Just in: Tragic death of Vienna Boys Choir master
Choral networks are sharing news of the sudden death on Monday night of Oliver Stech, chorus master of the Vienna Boys Choir since 2011. The exact cause is not yet known. Oliver led the famed […]
NY tenor is named to sing at Trump inauguration
A New York classical-crossover vocalist who sang at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally last October has been chose to deliver the anthem at the presidential inauguration. Jackie Evancho had the honour at the first […]
Something to wear to the opera?
Covent Garden is selling old costumes from its scenery store in Aberdare, south Wales. The store is open February 1-2. Admission is almost sold out. Try here for remaining free tickets. Prices range from £1 […]
Singapore’s next chief is… a Finn
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra has chosen Hannu Lintu as its next music director, starting mid-2026. He succeeds Hans Graf, who is giving up after six years. Lintu, 57,is former Chief Conductor of Finnish National Opera […]
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