The Spidy Editor | Clare Varney - Page 10 of 12 - Music | Food

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…

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – most definitely an author for our time

16 August 2022Culture

The raw and sometimes harrowing world of contemporary Nigeria is brought to life with astounding precision and clarity. Like so many I am sure, I tend to have phases in…

Excellent Customer Service Really Is Worth Its Weight In Gold, Or In This Case, Whisky and Wine

23 June 2022Food

Slijterij Berendsen, the family-run alcoholic beverage store in Enschede, puts excellent customer service at the heart of its business Food and Drink Heroes of Enschede #3 Nestled in the edge of Roombeek,…

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 Drenching In The Storm

20 May 2022Culture

As I sit here in the glorious sun, I think back to yesterday, and as one friend put it, the biblical rains which descended on this little part of the Netherlands.…

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.

To Vote or Not to Vote? That is the Question

31 March 2022Culture

Earlier this month, for the first time in my newly adopted country, I voted in the local elections and it felt good. I shop locally and support local business. I pay my taxes to the Dutch government.