Classic FM

Choral version of Anne Frank’s diary gets release date

Composer James Whitbourn’s choral setting of The Diary of Anne Frank is to be released on January 22nd.

League table reveals hardest-working in classical music

New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert, Sir Simon Rattle, Arvo Pärt and Handel’s Messiah are the winners in a survey of classical music concerts in 2012.

Gramophone

Obituary: John Carol Case, bass-baritone

The English bass-baritone, singing teacher and carol composer John Carol Case, OBE, has died, aged 89.

Irish Independent (found on Musical Chairs)

Bird ‘more complex than orchestra’

Songbirds possess a musical instrument more complex than anything found in an orchestra, a study has confirmed.

Slipped Disc

David Bowie and Philip Glass talk through their two symphonies

The world awoke [yesterday] to the news that David Bowie, on his 66th birthday, has broken ten years of creative silence with a seminal new single, Where Are We Now?

British composer misses Carnegie Hall deadline

Oliver Knussen has failed to deliver a new work to the Philadelphia Orchestra in time for a Carnegie Hall premiere next month.

The Independent

Why clapping ruins concerts

Intrusive applause can spoil a classical concert, leading conductors tell Simon O’Hagan

Deceptive Cadence, NPR

Leonidas Kavakos: Letting Beethoven Shine

Violinist Leonidas Kavakos is something of a musician’s musician in the classical world.

Irish Independent

(Written on January 9, 2013 )

The Guardian

José Antonio Abreu on Venezuela’s El Sistema miracle

In a rare interview, José  Antonio Abreu talks about his passion for Venezuela’s extraordinary musical programme that gives children a route out of poverty.

BBC Music Magazine

Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott set up charity

Soprano Anna Netrebko and bass-baritone Erwin Schrott have created a charitable foundation to support disabled and disadvantaged children.

LA Times

Spectrum Road to pay tribute to Lifetime at Playboy Jazz Festival

Spectrum Road will explore the music of Tony Williams’ Lifetime at the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.

Arts Journal – Slipped Disc

The Water Music the BBC wouldn’t let you see or hear

The Academy of Ancient Music has published a video of its performance of Handel’s Water Music in the Royal Flotilla.

Wales thinks it has found the next Bryn Terfel

You’d expect the Welsh to be first to put up a candidate for next year’s Cardiff Singer of the World content and, sure enough, their man is on the starting line while other nations are still stuttering in rehearsal rooms.

NY Times

The American Symphony, at 50, Harcks Back to Stokowski

When Leopold Stokowski formed the American Symphony Orchestra 50 years ago, he wanted to create, in part, a training ground for young musicians.

The Times

London 2012 Festival: best classical and opera

Chief cultural critic Richard Morrison on the classical music and opera he is most looking forward to.

The New Yorker

A legendary Mendelssohn recording

Oliver Knussen, the great British composer and conductor, turned sixty on Tuesday.

Gramophone

Bach cantata manuscript sells for £337,250 at Christie’s in London

Rare example of Bach’s musical hand sells to private collector.

Missy Mazzoli named Composer-in-Residence of Opera Company of Philadelphia

Missy Mazzoli has been selected as the second Composer-in-Residence of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, in collaboration with Gotham Chamber Opera and the Music Theatre Group in New York.

(Written on June 15, 2012 )

The Telegraph

Hay Festival 2012: An interview with Bryn Terfel

This summer he will be singing lieder, playing Wotan, performing Cole Porter and raising money for charity.

Classical Music Magazine

Knussen wins Critics’ Circle Award for Outstanding Musician

The Critics’ Circle Awards 2012 have been announced, with composer and conductor Oliver Knussen winning the award for Outstanding Musician.

The Guardian

Oliver Knussen: ‘It’ never occured to me that not everybody thought music was the most important thing in life’

As the composer and conductor celebrates his 60th birthday year, he talks to Fiona Maddocks.

Arts Journal – Slipped Disc

Israel’s ice-break Wagner concert moves to new venue

Banned by Tel Aviv University, Asher Fisch’s introduction to Wagner’s music for deprived Israelis will be held at the Tel Aviv Hilton.

A second orchestra opens in the Arab gulf, with a cancellation

Not to be outdone by their Qatari neighbours, the United Arab Emirates have announced the formation of ‘a non-profit, community orchestra of excellence’.

Gramophone

Parkening International Guitar Competition winner announced

Petrit Ceku receives Gold medal and $30,000 cash prize.

(Written on June 8, 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 )

With the grand final of the Choir of the Year competition fast approaching, WildKat PR is getting into the vocal spirit! We’ve come up with a selection of not-to-be-missed vocal and choral concerts which are taking place in London in the next couple of weeks.

What? South American connections: Music by South American composers and their European contemporaries

Where? Wigmore Hall

When? Thursday 25th November, 7.30pm

The celebrated Colombian soprano Juanita Lascarro joins the Academy of Ancient Music in a concert which features some fascinating vocal music.  The contrast between national styles will be explored in this programme of 18^th Century South American and European works, including music by Lobo de Mesquita, Zipoli and Torrejón y Velasco.  Ticket prices range from £18 to £32.  If you buy two or more tickets for this concert, you will receive the Wigmore Hall Live’s Academy of Ancient Music CD absolutely free of charge!

Where? Barbican Hall

When? Friday 26th November, 7.00pm

Oliver Knussen conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in this exciting concert of choral works inspired by the 19^th Century poet Emily Dickinson, which features two exciting premieres.  The concert will open with the European premiere of Sean Shepherd’s orchestral showpiece ‘Wanderlust’.  This will be followed by Copland’s ‘Eight poems of Emily Dickinson’ featuring the soloist Clare Booth.  Finally, Susan Bickley will appear as the soloist in the world premiere of the revised version of Julian Anderson’s ‘Heaven is Shy of Earth’, a work praised by the Guardian for evoking a ‘shimmering soundworld’.  Ticket prices range from £8 to £24.  Ticket holders are also invited to attend a pre-concert talk in the Fountain Room at 6pm. Since places are limited for this event, it’s a good idea to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Where? Christ Church Spitalfiels

When? Friday 3rd December 2010 19:00

Nonsuch Singers, described by The Times as “one of London’s best chamber choirs”, has a reputation for innovative programmes, high-quality singing and communicative performances. The choir’s considerable repertoire encompasses a cappella and accompanied works from the Renaissance to the present day, and the choir performs regularly with many of the UK’s leading period instrumental ensembles and finest young vocal soloists. In an intimate venue, this performance sees the choir performing the epic Handel’s Messiah.

Where? Crispin Place, Spitalfields E1

When? Tuesday 14th December 12:30pm – FREE EVENT!

This event is going to be an extremely friendly concert with a young, vibrant feel. Join 120 young musicians from Harry Gosling, Hague, Virginia and Shapla primary schools to celebrate the inauguration of Tower Voices. Together with Spitalfields Singers and THAMES Saturday Music Centre Community Choir, enjoy the sounds of winter in this celebration of all things shimmering and frosty. Come and watch for a FREE lunchtime concert!

(Written on November 22, 2010 )