News

Music by numbers

This week SoundsLikeSydney reviewed a new CD form violinist Daniel Hope Spheres, a concept album on which all the selections have a link to astronomy. JS Bach’s fascination with numbers in music is well known. However, there were other composers who built numerical riddles and patterns nto their writing. Tom Service of The Guardian, delves deeper.

Orchestras in ‘pitched’ battle

This April, Limelight Magazine has published a ranking of Australia’s orchestras. “Australia’s six major orchestras are frequently described as “world class”, but how do they fare in their own backyard? We pit the state orchestras against each other in a blind-listening test to see which band would emerge king of the concert hall.” Limelight Magazine. Coincidentally…

Some of opera’s greatest stars

The UK Telegraph has been running a seriesof live streamed debates on various aspects of classical music. As part of thisseries they’ve published a gorgeous picture gallery of 10 of opera’s greatest singers: 5 men and 5 women. Guess who they are! Click here for the link.

‘Reinventing Bach’ by Paul Elie

Scholars of J S Bach have studied his music for centuries. Is there anything more to learn? Paul Elie’s book ‘Reinventing Bach’ (Union Books) is reviewed by Ivan Hewitt of The Telegraph. Elie is an American writer, editor and is a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Read the book revew…

The future of arts leadership in Australia

What does it take to lead a successful performing arts organisation – and is Australia grooming the next generation of leaders? Matthew Westwood reports in today’s The Australian.

‘Six of the best’ with The Marais Project: picture gallery

The Marais Project, the Sydney based viol ensemble, directed by Jennifer Eriksson presents it’s first concert for 2013 on Thursday April 11th. Click here for concert information Check out these images of the performers as they rehearse. They’re not just enjoying themselves, but they’re also showcasing their wonderful instrumental technique.      

Tan Dun named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

UNESCO has named Tan Dun, the composer of the Academy Award winning soundtrack to the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as a Goodwill Ambassador. Click here to read the feature in Gramophone.

Rare violins on display in Sydney

  From April 2-7, 2013,  25 rare violins go on display at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as part of Musica Viva’s bi-ennial festival. Amongst these is a 1732 instruments made by Carlo Bergonzi, 18th century luthier who learnt his skills from Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari. This violin was owned by Sydney violinist Carl Pini for nearly 30 years….