“Because we live in a culture…… where visual stimuli are in the ascendant, sometimes at the cost of sound. Sound is no longer enough…… that music is a worthy pursuit in and of itself is…..being casually dismissed. Classical music now must aspire to offer spectacle – whether a particular piece can take it or not.
Philip Clark writes in Gramophone magazine.
Congratulations to pianist Alex Ranieri who has won the $15,000 first prize in New Zealand’s Kerikeri International Piano Competition held recently in the Bay of Islands. Alex also received the Jill Cottle award for the Best Sonata. Ranieri’s award-winning performance included music by Berg, Brahms, Vine, Granados and Messiaen’s Le Loriot, A graduate of the Queensland Conservatoium of Music from whence he graduated in 2013 with a University Medal and First Class honours in Advanced Performance, Ranieri is presently undertaking a Master’s degree offered jointly…
This recording now comes to life in September 2018 in the world premiere of the stage show. Iron in the Blood is a captivating new album (ABC Classics 4796387) which explores the rich tapestry of Australia’s colonial past. Available on July 1 on CD and digital, it features music by award-winning saxophonist/composer Jeremy Rose. The…
Recorded in 1960, Dame Joan Sutherland’s gold standard recording The Art of the Prima Donna has been remastered for Classic Sounds and released on the Decca legends label. Dame Joan Sutherland sings with the Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden with Francesco Molinari-Pradelli conducting. The listing includes Arne’s The Soldier Tir’d of War’s Alarms from…
Musica Viva announces the launch of an exciting new initiative which aims to encourage more female composers in the Australian music landscape. It is named The Hildegard Project, after Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century German Benedictine abbess, writer and composer who is known for her literary, musical and scientific works, and for her religious and…
Does opera have to develop a two tier format to attract new audiences whilst continuing to present the art form in its purest sense to traditional opera lovers? The current productions of The Marriage of Figaro and The (abbreviated) Magic Flute have generated some very strong opinions and audience reactions. Opera Australia CEO Adrian Collette talks to…
From April 2-7, 2013, 25 rare violins go on display at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as part of Musica Viva’s bi-ennial festival. Amongst these is a 1732 instruments made by Carlo Bergonzi, 18th century luthier who learnt his skills from Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari. This violin was owned by Sydney violinist Carl Pini for nearly 30 years….