Classic FM

Scientists reveal secret behind Stradivarius quality

New research has shown that the quality of Stradivarius and Guadagnini violins is actually due to their imperfections, restorations and moderations over the years.

Massenet’s Werther back in Scotland after 25 years

The classic French opera is to be staged in Scotland for the first time since 1986 in a new production by Scottish Opera for 2013.

The Guardian

King’s College choir: meet the choirmaster

The Nine Lessons and Carols service from King’s College, Cambridge, is a Christmas tradition with 30 million listeners worldwide. So why does its director of music want to shake things up?

Classical Music Magazine

Park Lane Group Young Artists’ Series – new year new music

The Park Lane Group’s Young Artists New Year Series runs at the Southbank Centre, London, 7-11 January, with many premieres strung across six events, all played by up-and-coming young performers.

Limelight Magazine

Bundaberg boy wonder wins Wagner Composition prize

A major national prize for the Wagner bicentenary has been won by 17-year-old John Rotar.

Slipped Disc

Just in: Cellist is named Miss Universe

Today, she was named Miss Universe. Probably the first cellist ever to hold the title. She’s 20 years old, a student at Boston University.

Two sports teams kick in to help stumbling orchestra

The owners of the Indiannapolis Colts and the Pacers have donated $1.5 million to the orchestra’s $5 million fundraising target.

New York Times

All Across the City, Coming Together to Make Joyful Noise

‘Unsilent Night’ and Participatory Music

Slipped Disc

(Written on December 20, 2012 )

The Telegraph

Hay Festival 2012: Sir Simon Rattle’s ‘ideal state’

Conductor Simon Rattle gives advise to amateurs and defines his “ideal state”.

Royal College of Music Chamber Choir: ‘Grit and determination kept us singing’

Sodden but unbowed, the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir encapsulated Sunday’s jubilant spirit.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary Barlow: in perfect harmony for Queen and country

Andrew Lloyd Webber, doyen of musical theatre, reveals how he joined pop star Gary Barlow and TV choirmaster Gareth Malone to honour ‘an extraordinary monarch’.

LA Times

Valley and Soka performing arts centers set for second season

Valley Performing Arts Center at Cal State Northridge and Soka Performing Arts Center at Soka University in Aliso Viejo have ambitions for sophomore year.

Leif Ove Andsnes warms up for Ojai Music Festival

The pianist, music director for the 66th edition, will perform with Marc-Andre Hamelin.

Classical Music Magazine

Clandeboye’s former young musicians to return to celebrate tenth festival

Booking has opened for the tenth Clandeboye Festival, taking place 13 – 18 August at the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava’s Clandeboye estate near Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland.

Camerate Ireland launches Derry-Londonderry as UK City of Culture 2013

Camerata Ireland and its artistic director Barry Douglas launched the musical programme for Derry-Londonderry’s year as the first UK City of Culture with a concert on 30 May in one of the city’s historic churches, Christ Church.

The Guardian

A guide to Oliver Knussen’s music

Oliver Knussen’s music packs as much incident and expression into mere minutes than some composers manage in a lifetime.

Mystery of the maestros: what are conductors for?

How do conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Simon Rattle and Valery Gregiev work?

Alfred Deller: a voice from the past

On the centenary of the great countertenor’s birth his grandson recalls how he came to know and love his music.

Tel Aviv Wagner concert cancelled after wave of protest

University cancels booking, saying performance of works by Hitler’s favourite composer would offend Holocaust survivors.

The Independent

Moved by the tragedy behind Berlioz’s Troy story

David McVicar talks about the huge challenge of staging Les Troyens.

Opening ceremony orchestra is silenced

Musicians in the London Symphony Orchestra will have to mime their performance in the opening ceremony of the London Olympics because a live performance is deemed too risky.

Gramophone

Linn Records teams with Universal Music to distribute Studio Master downloads

Back catalogue masterpieces and current titles made available in high-quality digital format.

Australian string quartet acquire rare set of Guadagnini instruments

Matching instruments worth millions on permanent loan to the ensemble.

Financial Times

Making a noise, in its quiet way

As Scottish Opera turns 50, what does the future hold for the company?

(Written on June 6, 2012 )