The American tenor talks to Katherine about today's Recording of the Week *Amici e Rivali*, which sees him exploring friendship and rivalry in Rossini's Neapolitan operas with his compatriot Michael Spyres.
Sacred baroque rarities from Philippe Jaroussky and Artaserse, a Christmas album from Jonas Kaufmann, Beethoven’s *Christ on the Mount of Olives* from Simon Rattle, and the world premiere recording of Vladimir Martynov’s *Utopia Symphony*.
A surprise release from the late Dave Brubeck, the latest from Grammy-nominated Ben Wendel, free jazz fun with Glasshopper, funky latin fusion from pianist Ivan Timbó, landscape painting from saxophonist Patrick Cornelius, and a tribute to the collaborations of Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald by vocalist Cleo and guitarist David Grabowski.
*Lost Ships*, a moving series of reflections on loss and displacement by singer Elina Duni and guitarist Rob Luft, marks a promising first release from the partnership, and sounds perfectly at home on ECM.
Paul talks to Russian-born music historian Marina Frolova-Walker about the subject of her book, the notorious (and often misunderstood) Stalin Prize, and some of the composer stories behind it.
From 2020's best new recordings and box sets, to informative books and deluxe sheet music, we select our top gifts for piano players and piano lovers alike.
Paul talks to Russian-born music historian Marina Frolova-Walker about the subject of her book, the notorious (and often misunderstood) Stalin Prize, and some of the composer stories behind it.
A brief introduction to the music of Sam Rivers, who in his long lifetime established himself one of the most consistently inventive saxophonists in jazz.
Chris introduces this month's Choices, headed by ‘fresh, fascinating but not uncontroversial accounts’ of Nielsen’s first two symphonies from Thomas Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
The Russian pianist is by turns balletic, poetic and dramatic in solo works by Stravinsky and Prokofiev, whilst the Mariinsky Orchestra match his precision and imagination in concertos by the the latter composer and Scriabin.
*Carnival of the Animals* from the Kanneh-Mason family, Brahms and Schumann from Elīna Garanča and Malcolm Martineau, Beethoven from Martin Helmchen and Andrew Manze, and Thalberg from Paul Wee.
This week's new releases include reissues from Terje Rypdal, a second live recording from Keith Jarrett's 2016 tour, and modern reinterpretations of the music of Sun Ra.
The British conductor talks to Katherine about recording Malcolm Arnold's one-act comic opera, written at high speed for TV in the early 1950s but rejected by the BBC for being 'too bawdy'...
In the first of our festive gift guides, we've selected some perfect presents for the opera-lover in your life, from the latest recordings to the best books about opera.
Books on composers such as Richard Strauss, Delius, Britten, and Fauré; tips and techniques on producing classical recordings in the Decca tradition; a biography of experimental musician Wendy Carlos; a guide to writing music for video games; and a discusson of Bolivian popular music.