Reviews
The weekend before Passion Sunday the merrymaking in Paris’ huge Philharmonie Grande Salle began. On Sunday, 3rd April, the main attraction was a liederabend by two vocal stars: Diana Damrau and Jonas Kaufmann. The expectation in the hall was heavily pregnant with anticipation. It is rare that two huge vocal
Reviews
The last time I heard Martha Argerich in recital was at the Salzburg Festival in summer 2017. The Maestra Prima Assoluta was then accompanied by her compatriot and fellow virtuoso, Daniel Barenboim. Barely a year apart in age, the mood that evening was plangent and controlled in comparison with the
Reviews
The year 2021 has drawn to a close. Many artists, even those at the pinnacle of their respective professions, have had to throw in the towel. All but a few pianists at the top of their game have been able to sustain themselves out of the pandemic. Even as I
Reviews
For those who have missed my preliminary and semi-final reviews of the Sydney International Piano Competition 2021, here is a brief summary. The Sydney was to have been held in July 2020. As a result of the pandemic which began at the end of 2019 the preselection committee of the
Reviews
For their semi-final rounds each participant was expected to present a 50-minute programme of their own choice. The only stipulation is that they must present a themed selection rather than just a random list of showpieces. Most participants did very well and some for instance Artem from Ukraine chose an
Reviews
This July, The Sydney International Piano Competition 2021 kicked off with a gala concert from Moscow’s Great Hall of the Conservatory. Andrey Gugnin laureate of the 2016 competition in Sydney played Liszt’s first Piano concerto accompanied by the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra. The spectacular opening night gala concert featured
Reviews
Classical music is perhaps the last bastion of the album as an art form: a collection of works that give the impression of belonging together and are placed in a meaningful order. Navona, an imprint of the genre-defying production/promotion house PARMA Recordings, has a catalogue of such ‘classical concept
Reviews
The reigning opera house of France since the last thirty years is the modern theatre (sometimes referred to as a “space ship”) designed by Carlos Ott. With more than 2500 seats it is the largest opera house in Europe. Alongside the Palais Garnier at Place de l’Opera the two
Reviews
On this my third annual visit to Vienna in October 2019 I had occasion to visit two off-the-beaten track opera houses. In earlier years I have restricted visits to the world-renowned, glorious and majestic Staatsoper on the Ring within the heart of the city and the lesser and further removed
Reviews
The nascent Effem Ensemble made its debut at Calcutta on 8 December 2019. By virtue of Founder Sponsor Varun Thapar’s refreshing enthusiasm and Founder Director Fauzia Marikar’s methodical coordination, it premiered at a musical soiree at Mr. Thapar’s elegant residence where he graciously welcomed each invitee. Also
Reviews
On my return to Munich after a year’s absence I went on two successive nights in the first weekend of November to the Bavarian State Opera. Situated on Max-Joseph-Platz this is the third theatre to exist on this site housing the State Opera and Ballet companies since 1818. The
Reviews
Written in 1791 the last year of Mozart’s life La Clemenza di Tito is based on Metastasio’s pre-dated by 50 years’ libretto (adapted by Caterino Mazzolà). It is less well known than the four earlier Mozart operas (the three da ponte comedies and the singspiel Die Zauberflöte). It