The legendary Brodsky Quartet – truly one of the great string quartets of our time – is currently headed to Sydney for a mid-winter feast of Shostakovich in the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room in July (performing the marathon feat of all 15 of the Russian master’s thrillingly enigmatic quartets). By way of complete contrast this
latest release from the Brits shows the group resolutely packing its buckets and spades and heading to the Mediterranean – with
a side trip to Argentina – as if intent upon their summer hols. The trip gets under way with
Hugo Wolff’s Italian Serenade, which with its racing rhythms and strong melodies is like a train trip through the Tuscan countryside. Puccini’s moving Crisantemi, on the
other hand, is an elegiac piece, written in a single sweep over the course of one night, having heard of the death of King Umberto I’s brother, the Duke of Aosta. The opera composer was so pleased with his rare venture into the mysterious realm of chamber music that he recycled it in the tragic fourth act of Manon Lescaut. Another great Italian opera composer, Giuseppe Verdi no less, also decided to have a crack at string quartet writing, believing that the…
August 8, 2013
Dvorák’s Violin Concerto is a neglected masterpiece, but it’s never likely to have a better advocate than German violinist Julia Fischer.
August 8, 2013
Now a sprightly 86, Australian tenor Robert Gard looks back on filming the role of Aschenbach for Tony Palmer. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
August 8, 2013
Why Bach was top of the class with respectful nods to Brahms, Ives and Ligeti. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
August 6, 2013
Violin virtuoso Gidon Kremer launches concert against Vladimir Putin and lashes out at the likes of Anna Netrebko and Valery Gergiev. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
August 5, 2013
An extraordinary collaborative project in Melbourne attempts to recreate the music we hear when we die. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
August 5, 2013
John Bell's new production of Puccini's "shabby little shocker" is far from shabby but still a shocker.
August 4, 2013
Britten's response to the Vietnam War receives an auspicious Aussie premiere at long last.
August 4, 2013
Raconteur, wit, music critic and stalwart of the BBC’s My Music program passes at the age of 91. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
August 2, 2013
The Idea of North's Sally Cameron shares her thoughts on the Noosa Jazz Festival, 20th birthdays and policing in SA.
August 2, 2013
Glass’s hypnotic masterpiece will keep you enthralled for hours; and hours; and hours… Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
August 2, 2013
Karl Jenkins laces his latest offering with a dash of Latin passion courtesy of Villazón, Miloš and co. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
August 2, 2013
