Following unprecedented reaction from music and cultural organisations from Europe and across the world to the recent announcement of the impending closure of the European Union Youth Orchestra, the Council of Ministers of the European Union has agreed to discuss the issue at their next meeting in Brussels. Without any guarantee that the politicians will reverse the apparatschik’s decision to stop funding the ensemble, this is a first important victory in the campaign.

Lukas Vondracek
(c) Irene Kim

Czech pianist Lukas Vondracek (*1986) has won the 2016 Queen Elisabeth Competition. The other prize-winners are Henry Kramer (Second Prize, USA, *1987), Alexander Beyer (Third Prize, USA, *1994), Chi Ho Han (Fourth Prize, Korea, *1992), Aljosa Jurinic (Fifth Prize, Croatia, *1989) and Alberto Ferro (Sixth Prize, Italy, *1996). Read More →

Jacques Rémus

Les Frigos is one the most special art institutions in Paris. A former refrigeration station built in 1921, it gave home to some 200 artists from 1980, painters, sculptors, photographers, architects, publishers, designers and instrument makers. Jacques Rémus is one of them and on the weekend of 28/29 May, he invited to a short concert of his Thermophones. It was definitely one of the most special concerts I ever attended. Read More →

Martha Argerich
Photo: Adriano Heitman

It has been reported by Ticino News that this year’s Lugano festival of Martha Argerich will be the last, since the bank BSI will stop funding the event. The 15th edition of the Martha Argerich Progetto will be held June 7 to 30.

Semyon Bychkov
(c) Sheila Rock

Über einen Rekordbesuch beim Sommernachtskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker in Schönbrunn freuen sich die Veranstalter. 102.000 Zuschauer hörten sich das rein französische Programm der Wiener Philharmoniker unter Semjon Bychkov an. Solistinnen sind die Pianistinnen Katia und Marielle Labèque. Read More →

Daniele Gatti
Photo: Marco dos Santos

Conductor Daniele Gatti, who has been one of the MCO’s Artistic Partners since 2015, has been appointed the orchestra’s Artistic Advisor. In this new role, Daniele Gatti will work with Mahler Chamber Orchestra musicians to shape the orchestra’s artistic profile, as well as develop projects and programmes that will be performed several times throughout each season. Read More →

Christian Thielemann
(c) Deutsche Grammophon

Anna Netrebko und Piotr Beczala debütierten in Dresden als Elsa und Lohengrin. Pizzicato-Mitarbeiter Alain Steffen ist begeistert. Read More →

After the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande cancelled several commissions and a residency with him, Swiss composer Richard Dubugnon is suing the orchestra. A curious succession of general managers is at the origin of the situation. The residence included a creation for the centenary in 2018, a CD, a work for young audiences, conferences and meetings in the music schools. It was announced in concert programs and a seasonal brochure of the OSR. The cancellation, a year and a half in advance, « is a big loss for me », says the composer. As it was reported, Dubugnon’s publisher Peters sent the orchestra two letters to find an arrangement. They were unsuccessful. Now the Court will have to state.

Seriji Ozawa
Photo: CAMI

The conductor Seiji Ozawa has cancelled his concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood Festival this summer because of a “lack of physical strength.” The 80-year-old conductor said in a statement that he was disappointed not to be coming to Tanglewood, where he studied as a young man, conducted the BSO during his 29 seasons as music director and where a concert hall  has his name. Read More →

Suntory Hall

Throughout the 30th anniversary season, world-renowned musicians have talked to the cameras about why they like performing at Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, what they find special about its acoustics and about their fondest memories of performing there. Read More →