Music

Stift Music Festival: quite simply a jewel in the crown

1 September 2022Music

Held over nine days, with 28 concerts featuring over 40 talented and distinguished musicians, the Stift Music Festival here in the East Netherlands really has something for everyone. Founded in…

Makela’s Concertgebouw Mahler marks the dawn of a new era in Amsterdam

22 August 2022Music

Friday night’s concert in Amsterdam, the first of a series of concerts with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (KCO) and their new Artistic Partner, Klaus Mäkelä conducting Mahler 6, was the hottest…

Redefining the World of Classical Music Competitions

12 June 2022Music

Bertie Baigent, Grand Prix winner of the inaugural International Conducting Competition Rotterdam | | © Clare Varney

Friday night’s concert at De Doelen, Rotterdam was the culmination of two weeks of frenetic music-making here in the Netherlands, and the highlight of this inaugural International Conducting Competition, Rotterdam.…

A Striking If Perplexing Midsummer Night’s Dream!

2 June 2022Music

Bottom, performed by Marc Pantus, revelled in his fabulous lower register | © Kurt van der Elst

As a Suffolk girl, growing up just six miles from Benjamin Britten’s place of birth, the music from this most English of composers runs deep through my veins. Whilst preparing…

The Day Miro Petkov And Dominic Seldis Came To Town

23 May 2022Music

We are told that sometimes, the best things come to he who waits, however, over the past couple of years it seems there has been rather too much waiting. It…

A Candle Burning Brightly In The World of Music Education

9 May 2022Music

International Piano Competition, Enschede

The International Piano Competition in Enschede, May 2021, brings together young pianists from all over the world in pursuit of that illusive first prize.

Callum Au: the hottest talent in the UK jazz scene

6 May 2022Music

Callum Au, trombonist, arranger, orchestrator and composer | © Callum Au

Callum Au is the man of the moment in the current UK jazz scene and if you have not heard about him yet, or listened to his work, please take the time to revel in his brilliance.

Alpesh Chauhan, Alena Baeva and Phion find new emotional depths in these turbulent times

20 March 2022Music

Alphesh Chauhan and Alena Baeva backstage after the performance © Clare Varney

This winning combination of Alpesh Chauhan and Alena Baeva really did leave a lingering impression in the minds of this Dutch audience

Orpheé | L’Amour | Eurydice. Opera, But Not As We Know It.

27 February 2022Music

Once inside, we were enveloped in a world of virtual reality headsets. This was opera, but not as we know it. And it was very good. It was truly wonderful.

The Phion Orchestra With Annelien Van Wauwe Gave a Sparkling Performance

17 February 2022Music

The Finnish music of Kaija Saariaho found dazzling exponents in the hands of two Belgian artists: Annelien Van Wauve and Martijn Dendievel