Sir Simon becomes the AWO’s latest big-hitter, and this time he’s bringing the wife! Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
November 9, 2014
Chief Conductor and orchestra support their colleagues in the Berlin Radio Choir.
August 26, 2014
After a century on record, why has the world’s most famous orchestra decided to strike out with its own label?
August 21, 2014
Orchestra celebrates their old maestro in the Digital Concert Hall for the 25th anniversary of his death.
July 16, 2014
In his native China, Yundi is as close to a pop star as a classical musician can get, with millions of Twitter followers, screaming fans, and sold-out tours. On hearing this fresh and sometimes even inspired performance of the venerable old Emperor Concerto, it’s easy to understand the fuss. Of course having Daniel Harding conduct the Berlin Philharmonic is a huge bonus, his tempi generally quick but never sounding rushed, and with the whole thing having a sense of excitement. But from the moment Yundi himself enters with that famous theme, it’s clear that this is a young soloist who really has the goods, oddly enough, without affectation or mannerism – just lovely clear, musical insight and a singing, legato line. And then there’s the slow movement, which really is so rapt in mood and played with such poetic lyricism that you not only start falling in love with it all over again but even consider comparing Yundi’s spell-binding performance with that of the greats. The coupling, though, is rather unusual, Schumann’s solo-piano Fantasie in C Major, presumably there for a good reason but it’s one that’s not immediately apparent. Good enough in itself, Schumann’s three-movement classic, which originated in…
May 18, 2014
The BPO marks the passing of former Chief Conductor Claudio Abbado with a host of free material. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
January 23, 2014
At a Prom concert in the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago, a few seconds after the famous bassoon passage at the beginning of the Rite of Spring, a mobile phone sounded. Sir Simon Rattle simply stopped the Berlin Philharmonic and started again. It makes you thankful they didn’t exist when Szell and Klemperer were around. This was the work that catapulted the then 21 year-old tyro conductor into the limelight when he conducted it with the Youth orchestra of Great Britain in 1976. I remember it vividly: I was there. Since then, he also recorded it during his tenure with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Whereas that was a respectable reading, this is in another league. In terms of tempos, colour and rhythm, it’s superb. The barbarism is beautifully tempered with finesse. It’s one of the great Rites. The only version I’d put above it is the stereo re-make by Igor Markevich and the aristocratic Philharmonia in 1960 where the orchestral shriek at the opening of the second part is… Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
November 7, 2013
Domingo becomes the first singer to receive the US$100,000 award. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
January 12, 2012
How to stream classical music live and on demand from the world's greatest orchestras and opera companies.
May 17, 2011
Limelight editor Francis Merson speaks to Sir Simon Rattle about his past, present and future with the Berlin Philharmonic. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in
January 11, 2011
