Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider
(c) George Lange
Violonist Nikolaj Znaider, newly appointed President of the Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition, has announced some major changes. The former winner of the competition and of the Queen Elizabeth in Brussels as well says: “Too many competitions leave the young artist ill-equipped to embark on a professional career”. Read More →
Choreographer Benjamin Millepied has thrown the towel in and announced his departure from the Paris Opera. Millepied, 38, arrived in November 2014 and brought a number of changes, not hesitating to shake the traditions of the house. The conservative forces finally won and did him leave. His successor will be Aurélie Dupont.
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) announced today that Lithuanian conductor Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla has been appointed as its 12th Music Director, effective from September 2016 for an initial three-year period. She succeeds Andris Nelsons, who held the position from 2008-2015. Read More →
Mit schöner Regelmäßigkeit vergessen Musiker ihre Instrumente in Zügen und Taxis. Wie ist das möglich. Jetzt hat es den Bratscher Hariolf Schlichtig getroffen. Er ließ sein teures Instrument in der Münchner S-Bahn liegen, und jetzt ist es seit Montag vermisst…
Toshiyuki Kamioka
Copenhagen Phil has announced the appointment of Hiyuki Kamioka, 55, as new chief conductor o from season 2016/2017 for a four year period. Kamioka has previously. After positions in Kiel and at the Aalto Theatre in Essen, Kamioka was appointed Generalmusikdirektor at the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden in 1996, where he worked until 2004. From 1998 to 2006 he was also Generalmusikdirektor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie in Herford. He has been also Generalmusikdirektor at the Saarländisches Staatstheater. Since 2004 Kamioka has been Generalmusikdirektor of Wuppertal.
Lithuanian conductor Saulius Sondeckis died at the age of 87 years in Vilnius. Educated as a violinist, he later studied conducting with Igor Markevich and began his career in 1955. In 1960, he founded the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and served as its artistic director and principal conductor until 2004. He has conducted orchestras in many countries
Riccardo Muti
Der Dirigent Riccardo Muti (74) hat sich bei einem Sturz in seinem Haus in Ravenna eine Hüftgelenkfraktur zugezogen. Er wurde in einem Krankenhaus seines Wohnorts operiert und hat für die nächsten Wochen alle Termine abgesagt.
Yury Revich (r.), Sabine Weyer, ICMA President Remy Franck
(c) ICMA/Nicole Junio
Together with the Luxembourgish pianist Sabine Weyer, ICMA Artist of the Year 2015, Yury Revich, gave a stunning recital at Ettelbrucks’ Cape in Luxembourg, on February 3. The musicians began their demanding program with a passionate reading of Robert Schumann’s Violin Sonata op. 105, followed by a full-bodied Richard Strauss Sonata. A glittering account of Ravel’s Second Sonata, sensitively played Debussy preludes and a hot-blooded Tzigane got rave applause from the audience. The concert was attended by ICMA President Remy Franck. Read More →
Der Hornist Felix Klieser erhält in diesem Jahr den Leonard Bernstein Award, beim Schleswig-Holstein-Musikfestival. Schon früh wusste der 1991 in Göttingen geborene Klieser, dass er »Musik machen und Musiker werden« wollte. »Was ich mir als kleiner Junge mal erträumt habe, das habe ich längst erreicht«, sagt Klieser. Dass er die Ventile seines Instruments mit den Füßen bedient, ist für ihn nur eine Randnotiz. »Fußnoten – Ein Hornist ohne Arme erobert die Welt« lautet denn auch der Titel seines 2014 erschienenen Buches, in dem er beschreibt, wie er die Noten mit den Füßen zum Klingen bringt und damit die Menschen weltweit begeistert. Read More →
Véronique Gens
(c) ICMA
French singer Véronique Gens collapsed yesterday at the Royal Opera of Versailles, shortly before the end of Benjamin Godard’s opera Dante. Gens was taken to a hospital, suffering from sudden drop in blood pressure. According to Forumopéra, the performance ended there and the audience was asked to leave.
