Watch: It’s a Schoenberg opening night

The last 24 in the 2024 Queen Elisabeth violin competition were decided last night in Brussels. They include Dmitry Smirnov of Russia, a dark horse, and Bohdan Luts of Ukraine (pic), recent winner of the […]

The latest gimmickry at London’s South Bank Centre is arousing audience discontent. The symphonies affected were by Shostakovich and Mahler. Here’s a letter sent by one unhappy patron to those complicit and responsible. Let us […]

Alexandra Pakhmutova, composer of ‘Nadezhda’ and other Soviet schlaggers, turned 95 last week. Her biggest fan, Vladimir Putin, sent a message. The Bolshoi was packed with acolytes. Yuri Bashmet conducted, just about. Ildar Abdarazakov, Hibla […]