From 26 May to 28 July 2019, the Heidenheim Opera Festival will once more be creating a widely-audible sensation among Germany’s summer festivals. Piotr Tchaikovsky’s Pique Dame and Giuseppe Verdi’s Ernani, along with the children’s musical theatre piece Gold!, are the eagerly-awaited new productions of Marcus Bosch’s 10th season in Heidenheim. His contract as conductor and festival director has been extended ahead of time until 2025. The accompanying OH! concert schedule sparkles with hand-picked programmes and outstanding artists such as the conductor Lukasz Borowicz, the piano virtuosos Lise de la Salle and Federico Colli and the SWR Vokalensemble under Marcus Creed. Read More →

Jacques Fromental Halévy: Le Dilettante d'Avignon; Melody Louledjian (Élise), Virginie Pochon (Marinette), Julien Véronèse, (Valentin), Arnaud Marzorati (Casanova / Maisonneuve), Mathias Vidal, (Dubreuil), Chœur régional Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Orchestre Régional Avignon Provence, Michel Piquemal; 2 CDs Klarthe K073; Liveaufnahme 04/2014, Veröffentlichung 15/03/2019 (82'29) – Rezension von Remy Franck

Halévys ‘Le dilettante d’Avignon’, eine komische Oper aus dem Jahr 1829, war damals ein großer Erfolg, und dennoch geriet die Oper in Vergessenheit. Jetzt legt Klarthe einen schon 5 Jahre alten Livemitschnitt aus der Oper von Avignon vor. Read More →

Hector Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust; Karen Cargill, Mezzosopran, Bryan Hymel, Tenor, Christopher Purves, Bariton, Gabor Bretz, Bass, London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Guildhall School Singers, Tiffin Children's Chorus, Tiffin Girls' Choir, Tiffin Boys' Choir, Simon Rattle; 1 SACD LSO Live LSO0809; Liveaufnahme 09/2017, Veröffentlichung 08/03/2019 (126') – Rezension von Remy Franck

Simon Rattle setzt mit seiner Neuaufnahme von ‘La Damnation de Faust’ die langjährige Berlioz-Tradition des ‘London Symphony’ fort. Und wieder einmal bewundern wir die Qualitäten dieses Orchesters als perfektes Berlioz-Instrument, das Rattle emphatisch und engagiert leitet. Auch der Chor zeigt sich von seiner besten Seite. Read More →

Performance Mastery Project has published the book « College Prep for Musicians: A Comprehensive Guide for Students, Parents, Teachers and Counselors. »It’s authored by Dr. Don Greene, the first performance psychologist to teach at any music school or conservatory in the United States and has been on faculty at The Juilliard School, New World Symphony, and Perlman Music Program; Dr. Annie Bosler, who taught at the Colburn School for Performing Arts for nearly a decade; as well as Dr. Kathleen Tesar, who currently serves as the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management at The Juilliard School. Read More →

German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott (*1988) has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She shared the news via her social media profiles. The pianist who experienced some health issues towards the end of 2018, is now beginning treatment, yet is looking forward to continuing her concert season as planned. Read More →

Franz Schubert: Symphonie in C-Dur (Die Große) + Die Zauberharfe (Ouvertüre); Kammerorchester Basel, Heinz Holliger; 1 CD Sony Classical 19075814382; Aufnahme 11/2017, Veröffentlichung 10/2018 (70'00) - Rezension von Guy Engels

Es scheint, als bräuchten die Komponisten von heute immer wieder musikalische Rückblenden, um sich selbst zu reflektieren, möglicherweise auch neu zu verankern und verorten. Heinz Holliger ist einer dieser Komponisten. Er verabschiedet sich wiederholt in die Romantik. Nach seinem Schumann-Zyklus ist nun Franz Schubert an der Reihe. Read More →

The catalogue of publications by Luxembourg Music Publishers has expanded considerably, the organization said. In the Heritage collection, several instrumental works by Luxembourg’s first national composer Laurent Menager have been added. « During our research, we discovered that some works benefited from interesting transcriptions for other instruments. By publishing this complete overview we hope that interesting pieces of our past will be rediscovered », LMP said. Read More →

Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2; Robert Schumann: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2; Burkhard Maiss, Violine, Ji-Yeoun You, Klavier; 1 CD TYXart TXA 18110; Aufnahmen 10/2017; Veröffentlichung 09/2018 (51'26) – Rezension von Uwe Krusch

Burkhard Maiss spielt sowohl Violine als auch Viola. Zusammen mit seiner Klavierpartnerin Ji-Yeoun You können sie also mit drei Instrumenten Duo-Programme bedienen, so dass sie nicht nur ein breiteres Repertoire bieten, sondern auch innerhalb eines Programms wechseln können. Damit haben sie es in der Hand, neue Gegenüberstellungen vorzunehmen und damit neue Blickwinkel zu eröffnen. Read More →

Following a 36-month international search, Ken-David Masur has been named the seventh Music Director and Polly and Bill Van Dyke Music Director Chair for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO). Masur is currently the associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Munich Symphony. He will begin immediately as Music Director Designate and join the MSO as Music Director for the 2019.20 season as it builds towards the much anticipated grand opening of the Milwaukee Symphony Center in fall 2020. Read More →

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has named Gemma New from New Zealand as Principal Guest conductor. She was unanimously chosen following a search by a committee comprised of DSO musicians, board and staff, and with the artistic leadership of Fabio Luisi. Her two-year contract will commence with the 2019-2020 season. Read More →