The Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow Conservatory has reopened after a major renovation on April 30 with a concert by pianist Denis Matsuev. During the repair work it was found out that the walls of the old house from the end of the 19^th century had deep and long cracks and could collapse at any moment. This raised the price of repairs and increased the work’s duration. The interiors of the Rachmaninov Hall have now been beautifully restored. The chamber music hall seats 250 people.

Grazyna Bacewicz: Konzert für Streichorchester; J. S. Bach: Brandenburgisches Konzert Nr. 3 BWV1048; Tadeusz Baird: Elegeia; Bartók: Divertimento Sz. 113; Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune; Adam Jarzebski: Tamburetta; Maksymiuk: Vers per archi; Mozart: Divertimento in D major, K136; Prokofiev: Symphonie Nr. 1 (Klassische); Rossini: Streichersonate Nr. 3; Stravinsky: Der Feuervogel (Suite); Sinfonia Varsovia, Polnisches Kammerorchester, Jerzy Maksymiuk; 2 CDs Warner Classics 2564603935; Aufnahmen 1975-1979, 2015, Veröffentlichung 04/2016 (135') – Rezension von Remy Franck

Jerzy Maksymiuk, der am 9. April 80 wurde, ist ein guter Dirigent. Er hat, das konnte ich in Konzerten wie auf Schallplatten feststellen, ein seltenes Gespür, die Sachen richtig zu machen. Er ist sicher mehr Musikant als Dirigiergenie, seine Interpretationen wirken immer mehr vorbereitet und überlegt als spontan, aber es klingt eben auch immer alles richtig. Read More →

With whom did you study and how did your studies with different professors influence your views on music?
From an early age, I participated in master courses which complemented my education. Among others, I took part in Sir James Galway’s, Aurèle Nicolet’s and Peter-Lukas Graf’s classes. When I was a student, meeting and playing in front of Galway was a great experience. Read More →

Camille Saint-Saëns: Cellokonzert Nr. 1 a-Moll op. 33; Édouard Lalo: Cellokonzert d-Moll; Frank Martin: Ballade für Cello und Orchester; Wen-Sinn Yang, Violoncello, Philharmonisches Orchester Giessen, Michael Hofstetter; 1 CD Oehms Classics OC 1838; Aufnahmen 2014/15, Veröffentlichung 02/2016 (61'36) – Rezension von Remy Franck

Nicht das Virtuose und Brillante suchen Wen Sinn Yang und Michael Hostetter im Ersten Cellokonzert von Camille Saint-Saëns, das nicht als virtuoses Showstück dargestellt wird, sondern als tiefschürfendes Musikstück von großer Expressivität. Nun äußert diese sich aber nicht, wie etwa bei Gabriel Lipkind, in Intensität, sondern eher in lyrischer Verhaltenheit. Read More →

In his presentation of the ICMA Awards 2016 in San Sebastian, President Remy Franck said, the ICMA prices were showing « our determination to get something special, a carefully structured list of outstanding recordings and outstanding artists. » He underlined that the jury faces « a constantly changing environment. » Read More →

Keeping Score (Details siehe Artikelende); San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas; SFS Media – Rezension von Remy Franck

‘Keeping Score’ ist ein Projekt des ‘San Francisco Symphony’, das klassische Musik Menschen aller Altersklassen und musikalischer Bildungshintergründe zugänglicher und verständlicher machen soll und damit eine zentrale Komponente in der fast hundertjährigen Geschichte der Musikerziehung des Orchesters. Read More →

Two pianists and a soprano join 15 gifted string players (three string quartets, two violinists and a violist) on the roster of the Borletti-Buitoni Trust’s Award and Fellowship winners for 2016. A Special BBT Chamber Music Prize for Italian musicians worth €25,000 is also being given this year in honour of Claudio Abbado and his commitment to chamber music. Read More →

Two performing arts education actors in the US, Berklee and The Boston Conservatory, have formally agreed to merge, creating a comprehensive and dynamic training ground for music, dance, theater, and related professions. Read More →

Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda, 51, will become the seventh Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, beginning with the 2017-2018 season. During the current season, the sixth and last of Christoph Eschenbach, Noseda will be Music Director Designate. The appointment comes only two months following his recent appearance with the NSO. Read More →

The American businessman and conductor Gilbert Kaplan died on January 1, aged 74. He is known as an expert of Gustav Mahler’s work and especially of the Resurrection Symphony which he recorded twice and conducted all over the world. Read More →