Latest news
The Brussels Philharmonic goes paperless
The Brussels Philharmonic has revolutionised the use of paper in music performance by distributing Samsung Galaxy devices to its more than 100 musicians. Digital scores are then sent to the players, shaving hundreds of thousands of dollars off their budget. Stylus pens are used to make markings on the scores. More at: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-10.1-is-the-tablet-of-choice-for-the-Brussels-Philharmonic_id36405
Elliott Carter dies aged 103: news round-up
Elliott Carter, the composer whom Aaron Copland described as “One of America’s most distinguished creative artists in any field” died on November 5th, aged 103. His creativity showed no signs of abating in his final years. One of his most recent compositions, Dialogues II received its premiere just last month with pianist Daniel Barenboim and Gustavo Dudamel…
Sydney conductor wins place in international competition
And there’s a special Sydney connection – Kálmán’s daughter Yvonne, lived in Sydney for 9 years! She was on hand to watch the competition and present the prizes! Watch Carolyn Watson conducting an entertaining excerpt from Princess Mariza http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6aW417vbJA
Double passes on offer for the NCPA orchestral concert
There are double passes on offer for the concert by the orchestra of the National Performing Arts Centre from Beijng in China. This is a very young orchestra which was established just this year, and is already undertaking international tours. The concert is on Tuesday 6th November 2012 at 8 pm at the Sydney Opera House. If you’d like…
‘Sappho’ CD release
The new double CD recording of Sappho by Peggy Glanville-Hicks will be available for sale from mid-November. It features soprano Deborah Polaski, tenors Martin Homrich and Scott MacAllister, baritone Roman Trekel, bass-baritone Wolfgang Koch bass & John Tomlinson., with the Orquestra Gulbenkian and Coro Gulbenkian conducted by Jennifer Condon. Read our 2 part interview with Jennifer Condon: Part 1 Part…
Toscanini’s treasures for auction
The family of maestro Arturo Toscanini has placed hundreds of his valuable possessions on the market for auction by Sotheby’s in London on November 28th. The conductor died in New York in 1957. The items include Toscanini’s Steinway model D piano, some of his batons and documents hand written by Verdi, Wagner, Strauss and Mendelssohn. More at:…
Latest reviews
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reviewed
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the musical from the book written by the alter-ego of Ian (James Bond) Fleming. The musical starring David Hobson opened in Sydney last week. John McCallum reviews the show: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/flying-cars-are-cool-and-so-are-villains/story-e6frg8n6-1226519085593
Synaesthesia: reviewing a journey into the unknown
Descending the spiral staircases into the darkened subterranean caverns of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), was like entering the recesses of the subconscious. The museum was about to host the inaugural coming together of a collision of sensory experiences in the form of Synaesthesia: Music of Colour and Mind, a festival that…