Catherine Carby, mezzo –soprano, soprano Leah Thomas and pianist Sharolyn Kimmorley perform a programme of Scandinavian art songs this weekend for Art Song NSW (see “On Wings of Art Song”).  The vocal repertoire is replete with works in French, German and Italian. Even Russian and Czech are regularly heard in opera and art song. But…

German composer Detlev Glanert (b 1960) re-orchestrated the Four Serioua Songs of Brahms and augmened them with preludes and a postlude. The work premiered at the BBC Prom in July 2006. Glanert gives his views on the 21st century re-interpretation of Brahms: http://www.boosey.com/cr/news/Detlev-Glanert-on-his-new-orchestration-of-songs-by-Brahms/11281&LangID=1

Musical talent was an asset central to the eligibility of Jane Austen’s heroines. Indeed, music was part of family entertainment and society life. Musicologist and soprano Professor Julianne Baird from Rutgers University is in Perth this week to discuss and perform from the Jane Austen Songbook. If you can’t hot foot it to Perth, check out this article…

“All music… is about the supreme expression of all mankind” Stephen Fry. Stephen Fry has been debating the relevance of classical music at the Cambridge University Union. In the 21st century, we have more access to more music,  instantly. Are perople still listening to “classical” music? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13373628 Stephen Fry and DJ Kissy Sell Out exchange…