Der 28-jährige türkische Komponist Mithatcan Öcal (28) erhält den mit 20.000 Euro dotierten Hindemith-Preis 2021. Öcal zeige in seinen Werken eine beeindruckende klangliche Vielschichtigkeit, begründete das Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Lübeck die Entscheidung. Mittels feiner Nuanciertheit in der Instrumentation, der harmonischen Gestaltung und einem besonderen musikalischen Ausdruck berühre er sein Publikum auf unmittelbare Weise. Read More →
Sir Simon Rattle
65-year-old British conductor Simon Rattle (65) wants to become a German citizen. The passport has already been applied for, the conductor said in Munich on Friday, a few days after being named Music Director of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir. However, he wants double nationality and thus keep his British citizenship. Rattle lives with his family in Berlin.
Der ursprünglich für Oktober 2020 geplante und dann auf Mitte März 2021 verschobene 6. Internationale Franz Liszt Wettbewerb für Junge Pianisten muss leider abgesagt werden. Aufgrund der immer noch kritischen Pandemie-Situation fällt der Wettstreit an der Weimarer Hochschule für Musik nun ersatzlos aus, teilte die Organisation mit. Read More →
Roberto Alagna
(c) Harcourt
In the French TV show C à Vous, yesterday evening, tenor Roberto Alagna was supposed to perform the song Mon pote le gitan in memory of one of his friends. Yet he found himself caught up in a torrent of emotions and, after a few seconds, the artist had to interrupt his performance. He left the stage saying, « I cannot do this today ». He then explained: « In fact, we talked before about this friend and it moved me so much that I sing the song thinking about him and I can’t concentrate ».
This week’s Karajanist Community Letter pays tribute to Katia Ricciarelli, a true Italian who is going to celebrate her 75th birthday on Saturday. In the ongoing series about Karajan and Mozart’s operas the Newsletter focusses on Don Giovanni, arguably Mozart’s most mysterious and powerful composition. Read More →
Fabio Luisi
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has announced the contract extension for Music Director Fabio Luisi. The renewal is for a further five years through the 2028/29 concert season. Italian conductor Fabio Luisi, 61, began his first season as Music Director in the current 2020/21 season after a year of holding the title Music Director Designate. He is General Music Director of the Zurich Opera, and Principal Conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.
Vasily Petrenko
Photo: Mark McNulty
Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko, 44, has been appointed as Artistic Director of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia Evgeny Svetlanov. Succeeding Vladimir Jurowski, who has served in the role since 2011, he will take up the position on 1 September 2021, at the same time as he formally takes up the position of Music Director of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Read More →
The Ontario government has restricted possibilities for livestreaming concerts. Such online events are not allowed to take place in venues that are closed according to the new COVID-10 rules. So, not even performing and recording music without audience is possible in any of the concert venues or theatres. Ontario is Canada’s most populous province.
Suntory Hall
For its 35th anniversary, Suntory Hall in Tokyo will not only present a year-long program of attractive and diverse performances but also launch a new global online platform, ‘Digital Suntory Hall’. From April 2021 this platform « will enable people from all over the world to experience the venue and the concerts from the comfort of one’s own home, regardless of distance, time difference, or language », the organization says in a press release.
Michael Stern
(c) Kansas Symphony
The National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) has announced the appointment of Michael Stern as its third Music Director in the organization’s 61-year history. The National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, is an intensive performance and education summer festival for young professional musicians, ages 18-29. Read More →
