Zubin Kanga performs at The Proms Plus
Performing in one of the Proms Plus concerts in London earlier this week was contemporary music pianist Zubin Kanga. A graduate of the University of Sydney, Zubin currently lives in London where he is undertaking a PhD at the Royal Academy of Music.. the Proms Plus are introductory events held each day, prior to the…
Andreas Ottensamer brings the clarinet out of the closet
Australian clarinettist Andreas Ottensamer presents his debut album ‘Portraits – The Clarinet Album’ on Mercury Classics/Deutsche Grammophon. Released August 2 in Australia, Portraits – The Clarinet Album features concertos by Copland, Spohr and Cimarosa, along with arrangements of shorter pieces by Gershwin, Debussy and Amy Beach, a 19th century American composer. Andreas Ottensamer is accompanied…
Villazon and Nezet-Seguin reprise their Mozart collaboration
Following the success of their recording of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and tenor Rolando Villazón have completed work on their recording of another Mozartian classic, Così fan tutte, released on the Deutsche Grammophon label. Like Don Giovanni in 2011, the recording of Così fan tutte, Mozart’s bittersweet comedy, is also from a Baden-Baden…
PLC Sydney Chamber Choir wins Australian Choral Grand Prix
The winner of the inaugural Sydney Eisteddfod Australian Choral Grand Prix has been decided! Congratulations to winners The PLC Sydney Chamber Choir (Presbyterian Ladies’ College) on their magnificent victory. Conducted by Fiona Clouston and accompanied by Andrew Basile, along with a student string quartet, this choir gave a magnificent performance and at the end of…
A New Record Label is born
In an era of vanishing record shops and digital downloads, the Academy of Ancient Music announces the launch of its own record label: AAM Records. Since its foundation in 1973 the AAM has released over 300 CDs, predominantly on the Decca and Harmonia Mundi labels. Establishing its own flagship label AAM Records, will enable the AAM to take…
‘Albert Herring’ picture gallery
Opera Australia’s production of Albert Herring opened in Sydney last week. Set in 1900, the sepia tones of the sets and costumes designed by Roger Butlin have been newly lit by Nigel Levings and retain the feeling of nineteenth century photographs. Scroll down to see all 8 images. Images by Branco Gaica, courtesy Opera Australia.
Philip Glass interview
Composer Philip Glass is interviewed this week by The Guardian’s Laura Barnett. He talks about fame, inspiration and people he would like to work with. Click here to read.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra announces its 2014 season
The Sydney Symphony has resumed its identity as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra with the release of its 2014 season under its new Chief Conductor David Robertson. Whilst the focus is on the European classics, the year’s offerings ought to please, as the programme includes symphonic masterworks, lighter fare from the movies, choral greats and a spritz of the unusual. The visiting soloists and…
Properly taught music is a must in school, says Richard Gill
Conductor and music educator Richard Gill is passionate about the importance of expertly taught music in the school curriculum. He says ‘ unless children are receiving a first-rate music education, taught by teachers who know about music, children’s brains are being starved, in part, of the necessary stimulants that generate creativity in an individual.’ Click here to read the…