The Mastery and Mystery of Bach

Conductor Riccardo Muti has been named as the second recipient of the biggest prize in classical music – the Birgit Nilsson Prize. The prize of a million dollars, is a bequest of the late Swedish soprano who died in 2005 aged 87. It is awarded every 2- 3 years for outstanding achievement in opera or concert by…

Sydney audiences are by and large generous in their applause even if they don’t approve of the performer or the production. ‘Boos’ are rarely, if ever heard, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, when the villian of the piece takes his curtain call. The most emphatic expression of audience disapproval is to leave at interval.  Other ‘houses’ are different. A new…

Confused by the proliferation of wireless devices and listening formats?  Gramophone Magazine has published a comprehensive guide to wireless listening.