BBC Radio 3 is to broadcast the first performance of a recently discovered ‘unknown’ Brahms piano work on Saturday, January 21 at 12:15 in Music Matters presented by Tom Service. Albumblatt, the … [Read more...] about Unknown Brahms piano work to be unveiled by the BBC in a performance by András Schiff
recordings
“Anthony Hopkins – Composer” shows the actor flexing his musical muscles
A little over twenty years ago, I was talking to Anthony Hopkins' then wife about her hopes for a new film which would show her actor husband in a very different light. We'd seen him with Mel Gibson … [Read more...] about “Anthony Hopkins – Composer” shows the actor flexing his musical muscles
Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)
The reconstructed ballet Raymonda, that debuted earlier this month at Milan's La Scala, will be broadcast this evening at 21.30 on Rai5 in a delayed broadcast. Whether the hour and a half difference … [Read more...] about Olesia Novikova and Friedemann Vogel in Raymonda from La Scala… Live (-ish)
Angela Gheorghiu risks the ire of Callas fans again with her new CD
In two weeks' time EMI will launch a new CD by Angela Gheorghiu: "Homage To Maria Callas - Favourite Opera Arias" In 2007 the soprano made her début at Milan's La Scala. Her first steps onto the … [Read more...] about Angela Gheorghiu risks the ire of Callas fans again with her new CD
John Cranko’s The Lady and the Fool & Pineapple Poll out on DVD
These two ballets by John Cranko are early examples of the choreographer's theatrical ingenuity. Created for the then Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet, (later Royal Ballet), Pineapple Poll is a light … [Read more...] about John Cranko’s The Lady and the Fool & Pineapple Poll out on DVD
“What Matters Most” – first reviews in for Streisand’s latest album
The Voice probably will keep The Streak — having a No. 1 album in every decade since the 1960s — intact with her latest outing. The fan base of the legend, 69, remains large and loyal. says USA … [Read more...] about “What Matters Most” – first reviews in for Streisand’s latest album
Gramophone Magazine’s Classical Music Awards 2011 – shortlists
Gramophone's shortlists are out for this year's awards. No real surprises, but then those Gramophone people have great taste! Here's a sample: Opera: Die Zauberflöte - René Jacobs; Akademie für … [Read more...] about Gramophone Magazine’s Classical Music Awards 2011 – shortlists
Naxos record the complete Verdi ballet scores
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra of the UK, under the baton of maestro José Serebrier, recently recorded for Naxos Giuseppe Verdi’s complete ballet music from the Italian … [Read more...] about Naxos record the complete Verdi ballet scores
Hi-fi sound? Most people hear music with cheap ear buds, tiny laptop speakers and compact sound files
Walking into a serious audio store these days is like entering a time machine. All the talk is about room-filling high-fidelity sound. The gear is new, but the conversations are much like those your … [Read more...] about Hi-fi sound? Most people hear music with cheap ear buds, tiny laptop speakers and compact sound files
Stephen Hough’s new cd Chopin Waltzes: You don’t just hear Hough’s fingers; you hear his soul.
Chopin’s waltzes: some swirl and glitter, others glide pensively; still others do both. But every one (and Hough gives us the complete set) conveys the feeling of bodies in motion, skirts twirling, … [Read more...] about Stephen Hough’s new cd Chopin Waltzes: You don’t just hear Hough’s fingers; you hear his soul.
Cecilia Bartoli’s “Clari” wins Opera DVD of the Year in Germany
An Echo Award, Germany's top classical music prize, has been awarded to Decca's release of Halévy's little known opera Clari . It was named "Opera DVD of the Year". The DVD is a recording of the … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli’s “Clari” wins Opera DVD of the Year in Germany
With “What Matters Most” will Barbra Streisand make history with a #1 album in six different decades?
Barbra Streisand's last album, “Love Is the Answer”, was her ninth #1 hit, making her the only artist to have a number 1 album in five different decades. With her latest album, “What Matters Most – … [Read more...] about With “What Matters Most” will Barbra Streisand make history with a #1 album in six different decades?
Danielle de Niese’s new CD: Beauty of the Baroque
If only the virtues of the quieter de Niese weren’t outweighed by the drawbacks of de Niese at full throttle. The brighter the voice’s dazzle, the fuzzier the words become, as in Handel’s Let the … [Read more...] about Danielle de Niese’s new CD: Beauty of the Baroque
The worst cover for a ballet music album ever?
This is my favourite horrible ballet album cover - truly wonderful! I'm searching for others; any suggestions welcome. Most ballet music discs are, lets face it, kitsch. Wooden nutcrackers, … [Read more...] about The worst cover for a ballet music album ever?
Carla Fracci and Josè Carreras present two new DVD releases from Milan’s La Scala
Hardy Classics, together with Italy's RAI television, announced the release of two DVDs, both filmed at Teatro alla Scala in 1978, and both representing Milan's theatre at its best: La Forza del … [Read more...] about Carla Fracci and Josè Carreras present two new DVD releases from Milan’s La Scala
Ildebrando d’Arcangelo – “Mozart is my god”
Tomorrow the new CD by Ildebrando d'Arcangelo is in the shops, or in a couple of weeks' time is you're in the US. Called simply Mozart, it gives the Italian baritone scope to present the repertoire … [Read more...] about Ildebrando d’Arcangelo – “Mozart is my god”
Cecilia Bartoli is recording Norma in Zürich
The Cecilia Bartoli Forum reports that Bartoli is recording Norma in Zurich with the Giardino Armonico's Giovanni Antonini conducting. The news comes from Radio Télévision Suisse in an interview with … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli is recording Norma in Zürich
The worst classical record covers ever – Gramophone Magazine is asking for suggestions
Gramophone Magazine has asked readers to contribute ideas for a collection of the worst classical record covers ever. There is plenty of choice, and the ideas are streaming in... If anyone has any … [Read more...] about The worst classical record covers ever – Gramophone Magazine is asking for suggestions
So Emily Bronte didn’t have **** in mind after all? Andrew McCarthy, director of the Bronte Parsonage Museum replies…
The BBC's new version of Wuthering Heights for the radio has got everyone talking. Something of a first for a radio transmission. Apart from notable exception such as the havoc caused by Orson Welles' … [Read more...] about So Emily Bronte didn’t have **** in mind after all? Andrew McCarthy, director of the Bronte Parsonage Museum replies…
Lost 450-year-old mass rockets up the British charts
A sumptuous first recording of a long-lost 450-year-old Italian Renaissance mass written for 40 different vocal parts has soared onto British pop charts a week after its release. The recording by … [Read more...] about Lost 450-year-old mass rockets up the British charts
Allegri: Miserere & the music of Rome – the magnificent new CD from The Cardinall’s Musick
The Cardinall’s Musick finished 2010 in a blaze of glory with their Gramophone Recording of the Year award for the last volume of their Byrd Edition. Only the second time in thirty years that an Early … [Read more...] about Allegri: Miserere & the music of Rome – the magnificent new CD from The Cardinall’s Musick
Violinist Daniel Hope pays homage to the great 19th-century violinist Joseph Joachim
The Romantic Violinist, for Deutsche Grammophon, is an all-new program of works written for, inspired by and even composed by Joseph Joachim. Daniel Hope says of Joachim, For as long as I can … [Read more...] about Violinist Daniel Hope pays homage to the great 19th-century violinist Joseph Joachim
Telephone interview with Cecilia Bartoli down-under
Cecilia Bartoli is in Australia for her first tour of the country. Tonight sees her in Adelaide, then Melbourne, Sydney and on March 18 she finishes her Aussie concerts in Brisbane. She gave a … [Read more...] about Telephone interview with Cecilia Bartoli down-under
Cecilia Bartoli ignored by Italy… again.
Rome-born Cecilia Bartoli famously sings in all the world except her for her home nation. Last year in Italy she sand just one performance of her "Sacrificium" programme in Turin as the closing … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli ignored by Italy… again.
Bartoli’s Sacrificium and Muti’s Verdi Requiem recordings win Grammy Awards
Right down there at the bottom of the barrel are the classical nominations - after rap, blues, latin, heavy metal, R&B, country, jazz, pop and every other form of popular music imaginable there … [Read more...] about Bartoli’s Sacrificium and Muti’s Verdi Requiem recordings win Grammy Awards
Joyce DiDonato’s new CD “Diva, Divo” celebrates the vast and fabulous world of the mezzo-soprano
As the blurb succinctly puts it, "This new collection showcases DiDonato’s multi-faceted art – and the wealth of opportunities open to a mezzo-soprano – by presenting her as different characters, both … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato’s new CD “Diva, Divo” celebrates the vast and fabulous world of the mezzo-soprano
DIVA,DIVO, the new recording from Joyce DiDonato to be released later this month
Here's the official YouTube clip of the recording sessions and interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ5I2TbeISs DiDonato's site announces the release: Hot on the heels of winning … [Read more...] about DIVA,DIVO, the new recording from Joyce DiDonato to be released later this month
“Steppin’ Out With Ben Vereen” recorded live in July 2010 out on CD
64 year old Tony Award-winning Ben Vereen will release a live concert album "Steppin' Out With Ben Vereen" on 15 February on the Sh-K-Boom Records label. The 11-track CD was recorded live during … [Read more...] about “Steppin’ Out With Ben Vereen” recorded live in July 2010 out on CD
The last classical music chart before Christmas
The best selling classical discs in the UK during the Christmas run-up are mostly predictable with André Rieu's 'Mostly Vienna' at the N°1 position. In the line up there's also Andrea Bocelli's … [Read more...] about The last classical music chart before Christmas
Grammy Awards 2010: personal favourites Bartoli, Genaux, Frittoli et al, but most satisfying is the inclusion of the wonderful Jessye Norman
The nominees are out for the 2010 Grammy Awards. But under the heading "Best Classical Crossover Album" - not usually my favourite category - is the nomination which makes me the happiest: with a … [Read more...] about Grammy Awards 2010: personal favourites Bartoli, Genaux, Frittoli et al, but most satisfying is the inclusion of the wonderful Jessye Norman
