Mit dem Preisträgerkonzert in der Thomaskirche Leipzig endet heute in Leipzig der XXIV. Internationale Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Wettbewerb 2024. 108 hochbegabte Musiker aus 19 Ländern wetteiferten seit dem 17. Juli in den Fächern Orgel, Gesang und Violoncello/Barockvioloncello um den begehrten Titel Bachpreisträger. Ins Finale zogen davon am 26. Juli 18 junge Musiker aus acht Nationen ein. In jedem Fach wurden drei Bach-Preise vergeben: Read More →

Wolfgang Rihm ©Universal-Edition-Eric-Marinitsch

Der deutsche Komponist Wolfgang Rihm starb nun in der Nacht zum heutigen 27. Juli  im Alter von 72 Jahren. 1952 in Karlsruhe geboren, beschäftigte sich Wolfgang Rihm früh mit Malerei, Literatur und Musik. Mit elf Jahren begann er zu komponieren und studierte während seiner Schulzeit von 1968 bis 1972 an der Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. Hier setzte er sich intensiv mit der Musik Arnold Schönbergs und Anton Weberns auseinander und schloss zeitgleich mit seinem Abitur auch das Studium in Komposition und Musiktheorie ab. Read More →

With a budget of – at a low estimate – over 10 billion euros, of which the public sector contributes over four billion, the Olympic Games in Paris are quite an expensive event. After all, the state contributes as much to this fortnight-long event as it does to the entire cultural life of France over the course of an entire year. The opening ceremony alone is said to have cost around 125 million euros, almost as much as the annual budget of the Paris Opera. Read More →

The vocal competition BBC Cardiff Singer of the World has been postponed until 2027 because its usual venue, St David’s Hall, is closed for since September 2023 after an inspection found that the roof could collapse. Cardiff Singer of the World is usually held every two years, with the most recent competition in 2023.

Corum, Montpellier

70,000 spectators, 700 artists, 50 venues, 109 musical events, 3.5 million radio listeners: these are the key figures for the Festival Radio France de Montpellier. The French festival recorded a 25% increase in attendance over the previous edition.

Philip Glass

American composer Philip Glass has protested the not allowed use of his music in a new production scheduled to open in Russian-occupied Crimea. Read More →

Benjamin Levy
(c) Yannick Perrin

The Orchestre National de Cannes announces the extension of Benjamin Levy as Music Director until the end of the 2025/2026 season. In this position since 2016, the 50-year-old French conductor has contributed to the Orchestra being awarded the « Orchestre national en région » label in January 2022. Read More →

Mit einem Orchesterfestival, Shifting Futures, eröffnet die Junge Deutsche Philharmonie ihre Jubiläumssaison zum 50-jährigen Bestehen. Shifting Futures vereint diverse Veranstaltungsformate und verschiedene Kunstformen. Read More →

John E. Gardiner
Photo: Rock/Universal

John Eliot Gardiner, 81, founder of the Monteverdi Choir, the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique has stepped down as Artistic Director of the organization. In a message form his agent, he writes: « After a long period of deep consideration and reflection, I have decided to step down as leader and Artistic Director of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras (MCO) with immediate effect. Read More →

Jacques Lacombe
(c) M&M Photographie

Canadian conductor Jacques Lacombe has been abruptly dismissed at the end of the season by the Orchestre Classique de Montréal. His departure, demanded by the OCM, was announced by the chairman of its board of directors without any explanation, either to the musicians or to the public. The separation comes after just one season during which Lacombe was Music Director. Read More →