ICMA Artist of the Year Renaud Capuçon “My life is music. I constantly want to learn, to progress and to discover new things”
Renaud Capuçon is Artist of the Year 2024 of the International Classical Music Awards. One look at his touring calendar or discography is enough to understand the extraordinarily broad range of musical activity the French violinist is engaged in. Capuçon's activities go beyond soloist and chamber music work - he is a mentor, an artistic director of festivals, a conductor and artist committed to social and civic causes. The French musician remarkably managed to find time for a short conversation with Ariadna Ene-Iliescu, a collaborator of ICMA Jury member Radio România Muzical.
You have been named Artist of the Year of the International Classical Music Awards. What does this award mean to you?
It’s a great honour for me, of course, as a musician, as a violonist. I’ve known this association and this prize for a long time and I was absolutely surprised, because I didn’t know that I would be nominated. So when I got it, I was very happy! It’s an honour and it’s also a responsibility for a musician in these times when classical music has to be really defended. Read More →
What in 2009 might have seemed like a utopian undertaking is now an established reality in the field of musicological research and musical production: Palazzetto Bru Zane. Stefano Pagliantini from the Italian ICMA Jury member Musica talked with Alexandre Dratwicki, scientific director of the French Romantic Music Centre Palazzetto Bru Zane whose recording label is Label of The Year at the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA).
2024 marks an important milestone for Palazzetto Bru Zane: 15 years of activity at the highest levels, label of the year at the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), winner of the “Premiere recordings” section with the recording, in the usual and luxurious format of the book — CD, of Ariane by Jules Massenet. Read More →
Italian Orazio Sciortino (*Syracuse, 1984) has been chosen by the jury of the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) for their annual Composer Award. He is a musician with a wide-ranging catalog and an intense dedication to the interpretation of the classical repertoire as a pianist. Ismael G. Cabral from the Spanish ICMA Jury member Scherzo made the following interview.
At what point in your career does this ICMA award come to you?
It’s not easy to have a perception of yourself, of the road you have traveled. I think I might be able to answer that question in 20 years, or maybe more. I will be 40 years old, and that is a round and relevant number at which it might make sense to take stock. Read More →
Today, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of the CSOA Music Director Search Committee to appoint Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä as the next Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO): the eleventh in the ensemble’s 133-year history. Read More →
Turkish pianists Güher and Süher Pekinel have been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award of ICMA. This award is highly justified for the almost fifty years that Pekinels have graced the international stage, starting from the 1980’s when only a handful of Turkish musicians could find their way into the classical music scene. Their unique musicality, stage presence and deep artistic knowledge have paved the way to this very important award.The Pekinels have devoted most of their time, in recent years, to educational projects and preparing talented young musicians from all over Turkey to the concert stage and are therefore one of the most hard-working musical ambassadors present. They have been interviewed by Feyzi Ercin, from the Turkish Jury member Andante.
You are a duo with countless achievements and numerous awards. What does an award signify to an artist, and what does this one specifically mean to you?
The ICMA Award has once again proven to be a significant source of motivation for us. Foremost among its merits is the recognition of our endeavors by fellow musicians, serving as an indicator of our resonance within the artistic realm. Read More →
Romanian soprano Aida Pascu was named Young Artist of the Year 2024 of the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA). The 24-year-old singer answers the questions of Irina Vasilescu, a Senior Producer of ICMA Jury member Radio Romania Muzical.
Aida Pascu was born and raised in a musical family, both her parents being opera singers. She was part of the Children’s Choir of the National Bucharest Opera and she studied classical singing at the Bucharest Music University with tenor Ionel Voineag. The soprano also participated in masterclasses given by renowned artists, such as Nelly Miricioiu and Raina Kabaivanska. Aida Pascu has a special relationship with the famous Bulgarian soprano, who has become her mentor. Read More →
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonaten für Klavier und Violine Nr. 1, 5, 6, 10; Antje Weithaas, Violine, Denes Varjon, Klavier; # CAvi 8553508; Aufnahme 12.2022, Veröffentlichung 29.03.2024 (49'45 + 49'39) - Rezension von Remy Franck
Die Geigerin Antje Weithaas und der Pianist Denes Varjon setzen ihre Beethoven-Reihe fort mit vier Sonaten, die auf dem Cover als Violin Sonatas, auf dem Backcover richtig als Sonatas for Piano and Violin bezeichnet werden. Welche wichtige Rolle dem Klavier zukommt, ist in den Interpretation zu hören, in denen sofort der echte, gleichberechtigte Dialog auffällt. Read More →
Bach’s St Matthew Passion in the staging by Peter Sellars is one of the landmarks of the Simon Rattle era with the Berliner Philharmoniker. In this haunting version, Bach’s monumental work is not only explored from a new perspective; in a way never seen before, the Philharmonie itself proved to be a great venue for staged performances. The Berlin Philharmonic is now offering this production free in its Digital Concert Hall. Read More →
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Antonio Vivaldi: Nisi Dominus RV 608; Shira Patchornik, Sopran, Maarten Engeltjes, Countertenor & Dirigent, PRJCT Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra; # Pentatone PTC5187053; Aufnahme 04.2023, Veröffentlichung 22.3.2024 (57'17) - Rezension von Remy Franck
Als Dirigent erreicht Maarten Engeltjes an der Spitze des PRJCT Amsterdam eine phänomenale Durchhörbarkeit und Präsenz. Nun sind wir heute ohnehin nicht mehr an die süßen, religiösen Klänge gewöhnt, die früher als Referenz galten (etwa bei Abbado), und das starkes Dramatisieren mit einem guten theatralischen, d.h. opernhaften Einschlag hat es seit Harnoncourt und Rousset immer wieder gegeben. Read More →
The back-and-forth over Esa-Pekka Salonen’s contract as Music Director with the San Francisco Symphony continues. After Salonen said he would quit the orchestra at the end of his current contract, the musicians asked the Board to keep him in the position. Read More →
