Beauty and stillness in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s monumental Mahler 9
In a week when the world mourned the death of Elizabeth II, the inclusion of Mahler 9 exploring death and the disintegration of life, brought a certain solemnity to the…
Wong, Stotijn and Phion create a most memorable performance
One of the many wonders of living in this part of the east Netherlands is the opportunity to hear so many talented yong musicians and watch them at work. This…
Sofia Vasheruk gives a masterclass in lyrical playing in the Piano Festival Ootmarsum
De Stiftskerk in the beautiful village of Stift, nestled deep in the Twente countryside, was the setting for this latest piano recital from the Russian-born pianist, Sofia Vasheruk, as part…
The Lark Ascending: Music to transport you to an English garden
Saturday’s concert, given by the Stift Music Festival on the 27th August in the idyllic setting of Hooge Boekel, a Dutch country house just outside Enschede, was the perfect backdrop…
Stift Music Festival: quite simply a jewel in the crown
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
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
The raw and sometimes harrowing world of contemporary Nigeria is brought to life with astounding precision and clarity. Like so many people, I have phases in my reading. I often…
Excellent Customer Service Really Is Worth Its Weight In Gold, Or In This Case, Whisky and Wine
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
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!
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…