BACKGramophone
Soprano Sonya Yoncheva signs to Sony Classical
Bulgarian Soprano Sonya Yoncheva has signed to Sony Classical, in what is described as an ‘exclusive long-term agreement’. Former Operalia winner to begin deal with homage to the Belle Epoque era.
Guardian
Pussy Riot: setting them free in song
Composer Cecilie Ore has written a choral tribute to the punk band. In an unlikely mix, the group’s words are mixed with those of philosophers and performed by the BBC Singers.
Why Gove’s shakeup of music education in schools hits the wrong notes
New £171m school music ‘hubs’ are not benefiting those children who need it most, says Michele Hanson.
Sydney Morning Herald
Leonardo Da Vinci’s wacky piano is heard for the first time, after 500 years
Da Vinci invented the ‘‘viola organista,’’ which looks like a combination between a baby grand piano and a cello, but never built it, experts say. It haas finally been built played to an audience more than 500 years after it was dreamt up.
Classic FM Online
Andy Serkis praises video game music
The actor who played Gollum praises video games as ‘extraordinary pieces of art’, listens to Classic FM.
Classical pianist wins Women of the Future award 2013
Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu picked up the award in the Arts & Culture category last night, beating competition from film producers, musical theatre artists and directors.
Imperial College London
Brain study suggests classical musicians should improvise
A collaboration of researchers at Imperial College London and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama have found that listeners engage with classical music more when performers improvise.
Die Welt
“Er behandelte mich als jemand Gleichberechtigten”
Der Komponist Benjamin Britten wäre am 22. November hundert Jahre alt geworden. Dirigent Simon Rattle war schon als Kind von Brittens Werken fasziniert und erzählt von persönlichen Begegnungen.
Sydney Morning Herald