ARABELLA STEINBACHER IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL COOKSON
10/09/2016
Arabella Steinbacher in conversation with Michael Cookson, Dresden 2016
My first exposure to the playing of Munich born violinist Arabella Steinbacher was in 2011 when reviewing her recording of the Shostakovich violin concertos on Orfeo. http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/June11/Shostakovich_Steinbacher_C687061A.htm
A child prodigy on the violin Steinbacher started lessons aged 3 and 5 years later became the youngest violin student of Ana Chumachenko at the Munich Academy of Music. In 2000 Steinbacher won the Joseph-Joachim-Violinwettbewerbes Hannover when she was 19 and the Förderpreis des Freistaates Bayern a year later. In 2004 she made her concert debut playing at short notice for an indisposed soloist with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under Sir Neville Marriner in Paris.
Certainly a thrilling musician, Steinbacher has made an impressive reputation for herself with several excellent recordings under her belt. One of the finest violinists around compared to a group of talented soloists of her generation, curiously, she is not as well known as her talent deserves; especially in the U.K. Read more
R.I.P. IN MEMORIAM – JOHAN BOTHA (1965-2016)
08/09/2016
JOHAN BOTHA (1965-2016) HAS DIED
Johan Botha (1965-2016)
Michael Lewin International Artists’ Management announces: This morning Johan Botha lost his battle against a severe illness.
For 23 years we have worked together with Johan Botha. His death not only means the loss of an irreplaceable artist but more importantly the indescribable loss of a great person. Read more
FREE 24-HOUR MUSIC MARATHON AT ST JOHN’S SMITH SQUARE
08/09/2016
A free 24-hour MUSIC MARATHON at St John’s Smith Square for Open House Weekend –also includes a “Pay-per-Note: The People’s Piece” challenge
At 10am on Saturday 17 September, St John’s Smith Square opens its doors for Open House London Weekend 2016, inviting visitors to experience the stunning Baroque architecture while listening to and participating in musical activities.
There will be 24 hours of non-stop performance, open rehearsal and workshops from 10am on Saturday 17 September until 10am on Sunday 18 September. All events are free of charge and people are encouraged to drop in at any time to hear what’s happening. The schedule for the Music Marathon can be found on the St John’s Smith Square website at https://www.sjss.org.uk/events/24-hour-music-marathon
Read more
LSO STREAMS VERDI’S REQUIEM LIVE FROM LONDON’S BARBICAN
07/09/2016
The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by its new Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda, will perform Verdi’s Requiem in the Barbican Hall on Sunday 18 September, opening the Orchestra’s 2016/17 London season. For the first time, the entire concert will be streamed live on the Orchestra’s YouTube channel, completely free, preceded by an insightful pre-concert programme from backstage at the Barbican on the LSO’s Facebook page. Read more
2016-17 Leeds Lieder Concert Series and Advanced Notice about 2017 Festival
30/08/2016
Leeds Lieder announces 2016-2017 concert series (and advance information about 2017 Festival)
In collaboration with partner organizations Opera North, University of Leeds, Leeds College of Music and BBC Radio 3, Leeds Lieder is delighted to announce its 2016-17 season of concerts. Read more
The 11th Malcolm Arnold Festival in Northampton this October
28/08/2016
Looking Forward to the 11th Malcolm Arnold Festival (Northampton 15-16 October 2016)
Even if this year’s Proms remain a disappointment in some quarters (mine, for example) deserving yet largely unheard British music is doing fairly well. There’s a jangle of seasons and festivals crying out for attention: the William Alwyn around Aldeburgh (5-9 October 2016 – including the Third Symphony), the BBC Phil season at Salford Quays (7-16 September 2016 including the premiere of Arnold Cooke’s Sixth Symphony) and the professional premiere of Joubert’s opera Jane Eyre (Birmingham, 25 October 2016).
My first Malcolm Arnold Festival was last year (review review review) and I am pleased to be returning to cover this year’s two day event. As ever the 2016 event is packed with Arnold’s music and is fashioned around the theme of Arnold – Voice of the People. The programme, squeezed tight into two days, mostly at the Royal & Derngate, is remarkable. Read more
2016 Oxford Lieder Festival: The Schumann Project (24-29 October)
23/08/2016
OXFORD LIEDER FESTIVAL 2016: THE SCHUMANN PROJECT
For the first time ever, all of Schumann’s songs will be performed at the Oxford Lieder Festival (14- 29 October 2016) together with an array of his other works, the complete songs of his wife Clara Schumann, and songs by his friends, contemporaries and successors. Featuring nearly 100 events, The Schumann Project will include some 40 song recitals, as well as piano and chamber music recitals, choral works, study events, film, readings, masterclasses and more. Read more
JAN VOGLER IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL COOKSON
23/08/2016
Jan Vogler in conversation with Michael Cookson
Jan Vogler © Jim Rakete
Not only is Jan Vogler a renowned cellist on the international stage but driven by his insatiable appetite for music he also serves as Intendant of the Dresden Music Festival; with his contract recently extended until 2021. I have attended the festival for several years and under Vogler’s management the festival has grown to one of international renown attracting the world’s finest artists. Read more
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This joyous set of Beethoven's sonatas takes its place among the very best.In its own way, the Seven Words of Christ is just as sublime as the Stabat Mater.This sensitive, dynamic recording is a joy, and may even constitute a revelation.The pair exhibits a refined style on these illuminating performances.A deeply affecting experience that ought to win the opera many new admirers.Proms director described live music as an 'ambition' rather than a 'certainty'
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In its own way, the Seven Words of Christ is just as sublime as the Stabat Mater.
This sensitive, dynamic recording is a joy, and may even constitute a revelation.
The pair exhibits a refined style on these illuminating performances.
A deeply affecting experience that ought to win the opera many new admirers.
Proms director described live music as an 'ambition' rather than a 'certainty'
