Krystian Zimerman
Photo: Kasskara / DG
Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman surprised the audience at his recital in the Italian city of Macerata earlier this week. Instead of performing on his own Steinway, as he uses to do, he played on an old instrument he had discovered backstage at the Teatro Lauro Rossi, the recital venue. Together with the piano tuner Antonino Rappoccio, he took the piano apart, piece by piece, and later put everything together, with the necessary regulations made, and went to play his much applauded recital on the old grand, also a Steinway, as the Italian press reports.
Peter Seabourne, applauded in Prague
There is plenty of mystery and deep reflection, yet also lively virtuosity in the Piano Concerto no. 2 by British composer Peter Seabourne, which received its World Premiere in March at the Martinu Hall (Lichtenstein Palace) in Prague, played by Kristina Stepasjukova and the Academy Orchestra of the Czech Philharmonic. Read More →
Bayreuth, Festspielhaus
Der ‘Nordbayerische Kurier’ berichtet von verschärften Sicherheitsvorkehrungen am Grünen Hügel in Bayreuth. Die Festspiele haben das bestätigt. Ob ein Zusammenhang mit der Eröffnungsinszenierung des ‘Parsifal’ von Regisseur Uwe Eric Laufenberg steht, wurde nicht gesagt. Angeblich plant der Regisseur eine « islamkritische » Interpretation der Wagner-Oper. Laut Festspiel-Sprecher Emmerich handelt es sich generell um einen « religionskritischen Ansatz ».
Susanna Mälkki
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the appointment of Susanna Mälkki as Principal Guest Conductor of the LA Phil. She assumes her new role in the 2017/18 season for a three-year term. This position has been held by only two previous conductors: Sir Simon Rattle (1981-1994) and Michael Tilson Thomas (1981-1985). Read More →
Kent Nagano
(c) Benjamin Ealovega
Das Deutsche Symphonie Orchester (DSO) kündigt für den Pfingstmontag (16. Mai 2016) einen ‘Symphonic mob’ an, bei dem es im Einkaufszentrum ‘Mall of Berlin’ am Leipziger Platz zusammen mit Laien spielen will. Dirigent Kent Nagano übernimmt die musikalische Leitung, wie das Orchester gestern ankündigte. Werke von Bizet, Verdi und Wagner stehen auf dem Programm. Read More →
Salle modulable,Luzern
(c) Arup USA Inc.
Unmittelbar hinter dem Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern (KKL) soll das neue Luzerner Theater mit dem Namen ‘Salle Modulable’ entstehen, dort wo sich heute ein Busparkplatz und ein Park befinden. Da die Grünflächen erhalten bleiben, sehen die Initiatoren eine reelle Chance, ihr Vorhaben an diesem Ort zu verwirklichen.
German label Audite, winner in the category Historic Recordings with Lucerne Festival Historic Performances Vol. VIII reported on the 2016 Awards in San Sebastian: « The winners were introduced and honored with a festive award ceremony and a top-class gala concert. The jury consists exclusively out of professional critics for classical music from international media. Read More →
Sylvain Cambreling
(c) Marco Borggreve
Generalmusikdirektor Sylvain Cambreling wird das Staatstheater Stuttgart nach der Spielzeit 2017/18 verlassen. Das hat der 67-jährige französische Dirigent gestern bekannt gegeben. Cambreling ist seit 2012 Generalmusikdirektor der Oper Stuttgart.
ICMA Artist of the Year 2016, Christian Lindberg, has posted a video about the San Sebastian Gala on Youtube. You can view the video here: Read More →
Erik Satie
French composer Erik Satie (1866 – 1925) lived in Arcueil near Paris and he is buried at the local cemetery. The City Council is planning some projects to mark the composer’s 150th anniversary. In the debate an elected National Front councilor, Denis Truffaut, has strongly criticized the memory of Erik Satie by treating him as ‘hypocritical’, ‘coward’, ‘illuminated’, ‘mediocre’ and ‘alcoholic’. For the right-wing politician there is no way to spend money for the musician. The statements stunned the other members of council and some of them said, Truffaut’s intervention shows a « lack of culture » and the « rejection of the culture. »
