SINCE 1999 A LIVE REVIEW SITE FOR OPERA, BALLET, CONCERTS, BROADCASTS, AND THEATRE
United Kingdom Stanford, Ireland, Holst, Moeran, Alwyn, Delius, Howells, Milford, Vaughan Williams, W. S. Lloyd Webber, Cyril Scott, Fogg, Brian, Phibbs, Pantcheff, Bach, Butterworth, Orr, Somervell, Finzi, Armstrong Gibbs: Rupert Marshall-Luck (violin), Joseph Spooner (cello), Duncan Honeybourne (piano, organ), Rebeca Omordia (piano), Christopher Foster (bass), Kathryn Moseley (piano). The English Music Festival. St Andrew’s Church, Aysgarth, Leyburn, Yorkshire, 6-8.10.2017. (RBa)
Jiří Bělohlávek and the Czech Conducting Legacy
One mourns the recent passing of Czech conductor Jiří Bělohlávek (24 February 1946 – 31 May 2017) not only because he was a wonderfully discerning musician, but also because he perpetuated a conducting legacy that linked back to the great Czech composers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
2017 Elizabeth Connell Prize Winner Announced
KATIE LOWE from England Cheshire born 31 year old English soprano Katie Lowe has won the 4th annual Elizabeth Connell Prize for aspiring Dramatic Sopranos held in Sydney Australia on 16 September. Ms Lowe receives $30,000 and an audition at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London. The Finalists were chosen from live auditions held in London, New York, Zurich, Paris and Melbourne and competed over 3 rounds in Sydney for the prize. Ms Lowe sang the “Immolation Scene” from Wagner’s Götterdämmerung and “Suicidio” from La Gioconda by Ponchiello in the Final Round.
Ton Koopman Talks to Colin Clarke
I met Ton Koopman in his lovely home near Verteillac, France. Koopman’s festival, Itinéraire Baroque, had finished the night before; arriving at the house, there was a palpably convivial atmosphere, with artists featured in the festival relaxing alongside Koopman and his friends and family. The interview itself took place in a lovely, peaceful space away from the hubbub.
The Art of Love: Alma Mahler’s Life and Music: Zemlinsky, Alma Mahler, Gustav Mahler, Anton von Webern, D. Matthews. Arranged by David Matthews (‘Erntelied’ co-arranged with Colin Matthews), with linking texts by Barry Millington. Rozanna Madylus (mezzo-soprano). Counterpoise ensemble: Fenella Humphreys (violin), Deborah Calland (trumpet), Kyle Horch (saxophone/clarinet), Iain Farrington (piano).
Kokoschka’s Doll: John Casken (composer), Sir John Tomlinson (bass), Counterpoise ensemble (as above), text by John Casken and Barry Millington. Cheltenham Music Festival, 9.7.2017.
Angela Brownridge in Conversation with Robert Beattie
Angela Brownridge is one of the UK’s leading concert pianists. She has won rave reviews for her interpretations, being compared to giants of the piano such as Solomon, Cherkassky and Bolet. She was a child prodigy giving her first public recital at the age of 6 and her first concerto performance when she was 10 years old. She has performed with many of the world’s leading conductors and orchestras and she has an impressive and varied discography which includes the complete piano works of Barber and Gershwin. I spoke to her about her musical background and training, the pianists and artists whom she most admires, her love of jazz and improvisation, her view of piano competitions and her recording plans for the future.
