Latest news
Hot off the press….
More background on David Robertson, who will take over as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony from 2014: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/boulez-protege-has-a-postromantic-perspective-20120515-1yp2t.html http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/buried-treasures-to-be-unearthed-after-orchestra-passes-the-baton-20120515-1yp2u.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/new-sso-chief-strikes-right-notes/story-e6frg8n6-1226356619844
David Robertson to lead the Sydney Symphony from 2014
There is tremendous excitement at the announcement by the Sydney Symphony that American conductor David Robertson will be its Chief Conductor and Artistic Director from 2014 succeeding the much loved Vladimir Ashkenazy. David Robertson has a string of impressive orchestral appointments to his name having been Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony since 2005…
George Benjamin – a composer with a story to tell
Later this year, Halcyon in collaboration with Sydney Chamber Opera presents the Australian premiere of Into the Little Hill, by British composer George Benjamin (b 1960). Benjamin has a substantial contemporary output. He has worked with Messiaen and Boulez and his opera Written on Skin premieres at Covent Garden next year. He speaks to Alan…
opening night with the australian brandenburg orchestra
Opening night photos from the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Choir’s Bach Eternal programme. There are several more performances between now and May 19th. http://soundslikesydney.com.au/shows/brandenburg-earlybird-offer-for-bach-eternal/7136.html Images by courtesy of and taken by Steven Godbee.
Update from the ANU School of Music
More on the dire situation at the ANU School of Music: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/anu-music-head-on-indefinte-leave-as-tension-builds-20120510-1yemu.html
ENO shuns the big screen
The move to the cinema screen is not for the English National Opera says its artistic director John Berry: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/news/live-opera-in-cinemas-no-way-says-eno-7729177.html
Latest reviews
‘Messiah’ at St James’ King Street: a listener’s perspective
Whatever the diet of musicians in Handel’s time, his performers must certainly have had tremendous stamina. ‘Messiah’ as Handel intended, for a chamber sized ensemble is a massive test of endurance, requiring a technique that supports the power of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, the coloratura of ‘All we like sheep’ and the hushed sostenuto of ‘Since by man came death’. After all this comes the mighty…
The Australia Ensemble reviewed
Peter McCallum reviews the Australia Ensemble for the Sydney Morning Herald. (Even the SMH makes typos!) http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/review/gig/australia-ensemlbe-20120318-1vdnw.html