If it’s contemporary can it be classical?
Is the term ‘contemporary classical music’ a contradiction in terms? Tom Service of The Guardian dispels some myths: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/apr/26/five-myths-contemporary-classical-music?intcmp=239
In Bach’s own hand.
The first manuscript in Bach’s own hand to enter the public market in 16 years, was sold in London last week, one hundred and eigty three years after it was written: http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/bach-cantata-manuscript-sells-for-%C2%A3337250-at-christies-in-london
A quartet of six
It’s a dream combination. A composer in the mainstream of her creativity handpicks a string quartet to make the premiere recording of her music and then coaches them in the way she wants to the music to sound. Add to this, a recording producer who understands implicitly what the composer wants and who has the formidable reputation as…
How low can you get?
Till now, it was the All Night Vigil by Rachmaninoff that held the dubious honour of asking for the lowest note to be sung in choral music – the third B flat below middle C. This 97 year long record has now been shattered with Paul Mealor’s setting of the De Profundis in which he…
Conducting Business
Being a conductor has got to be one of the strangest of jobs! In the cascade of music that the audience comes to hear, the conductor makes not one sound; he touches no instrument. The audience doesn’t even witness the emotions of the maestro/maestra at work and indeed, some gestures may even be completely obscured. Tom Service…
Demystifying Danielle
The uber–glamourous and precociously talented soprano Danielle de Niese returns to Australia, for performances around the nation. She was interviewd by Sharon Verghis of The Australian. Following the link to her interview are links to her blogs in ‘The Huffington Post’ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/rising-opera-star-danielle–de–niese-is-set-to-stun/story-fn9n8gph-1226374852846 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle–de–niese/the-case-for-making-recor_b_1220059.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle–de–niese/baroque-coming-out-party_b_1177726.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle–de–niese/inspired-to-inspire_b_1154608.html
The Piano Man
Roger Woodward returns to Sydney in November for a series of recitals. This month, he also performs in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney. Awards for his performances include the “Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik” in November 2007 and the Diapason d’Or. His life has encompassed both musical and social causes for which he has also garnered the Polish Order of…
The inspirational power of Fischer-Dieskau
Rising opera singer and lyric baritone Raphael Hudson explains why Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau’s legacy is so central to the art of singing and expresses a very personal view of the inspirational power of this iconic role-model. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau changed the face of Lieder and Art Song. Before him, there were excellent singers who performed Lieder very well, often…
Manhattan School of Music comments on ANU School of Music re-structure
Academics from New York’s Manhattan School of Music comment on the re-structure at the ANU School of Music in Canberra: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/music-schools-sour-note-20120527-1zcp1.html