Reviews
A week into Beethovenfest, the magic has failed to subside. The air is still abuzz with excitement with concerts taking place regularly, providing much on offer for, and tailored to, the varied, musical inclined population of the city of Bonn, Ludwig van Beethoven’s birthplace. This time, we shift to
Interviews
A Steinway artiste, Volodin is set to perform two concerts at the NCPA this month. Acclaimed for his highly sensitive touch and technical brilliance, Alexei Volodin is in demand by orchestras at the highest level. Volodin studied at Moscow’s Gnessin Academy and later with Eliso Virsaladze at the Moscow
Reviews
After two successive evenings with the Royal Concertgebouw it was the turn of the Vienna Philharmonic. What great orchestras they both are but sounded very different in tone quality; the former with much warmth and gravitas, the latter more streamlined and brilliant. On the first night we heard Haydn’s
Reviews
Quintessence is defined as the exemplar of a quality or class. In the context of the second day of Beethovenfest, the Russian National Orchestra (RNO), under the accomplished baton of director and conductor Mikhail Pletnev, presented three works from three different composers, which are regarded as the quintessence of the
Reviews
It was with great applause that the audience welcomed the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra from Amsterdam to the Lucerne Festival. The works for their two concerts were by the great Austrian masters of the late 19th century Bruckner and Mahler. Also framing these works were masterpieces by Alban Berg of the
News
ABRSM’s new Guitar syllabus and books are out today! The new ABRSM guitar syllabus from 2019 is out today. For the first time Guitar Exam Pieces books at Grades 1-5 will also be available. The new syllabus includes a variety of styles and includes duets for Grades 1–5.
Reviews
Home to major symphony orchestras from all over the world the Lucerne Festival is very special for this reason alone. It is the only city in Europe that boasts an array of the best symphony orchestras, conductors and soloists! I attended the second of two concerts given by the Munich
Know Your Composer
The extraordinary dynasty of dance music composers and musicians named Strauss originated in the Hungarian town of Buda. Around 1750, Grandfather Johann moved to Vienna, and his son Franz Borgias operated a small tavern in the suburb of Leopoldstadt. That pub became the birthplace of Johann Strauss I (1804-1849), and
Meet the Maestro
Alexander Lazarev is spoken of in the same breath as some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra. This month, the Russian conductor will lead the Symphony Orchestra of India in a two-evening programme at the NCPA. By Beverly Pereira Alexander Lazarev, one of Russia’
News
Featuring works of legendary composers like Schubert, Mussorgsky, Sibelius, Dvořák, Prokofiev, Schumann, Lizst, Balakirev, Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky, to delight the audience 04th – 16th September, 2018 | NCPA The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Mumbai is all set to enthrall the audience with the Symphony Orchestra of India – Autumn 2018
Reviews
Legendary pianist and conductor now in his late seventies joined hands with two young string players in two concerts covering the six important piano trios of Beethoven. Violinist, his son Michael Barenboim and young Persian-Austrian cellist Kian Soltani joined the veteran pianist whose playing remain youthful, vigorous and highly communicative.
Reviews
Not many festivals in the world can pride themselves on hosting the Berlin Philharmonic on two successive nights. Needless to say there was a buzz in the air as the capacity audience anticipated the two very different programmes. As the current music director of the Bavarian State Opera, the young