The 33-year-old wins $50,000 and mentorship at The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and the Sydney Symphony. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

Rory Jeffes has called on Greg Hywood to recognise the importance of critical arts journalism. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

The SSO finds its sea legs in Berlioz’s Pirate Overture.

I was bemused to read, when perusing the publicity, that the three works here had been “curated”. I thought “curate” described an exhibition of objects (usually art works) which had been lent or borrowed from various sources. It’s stretching things to say three mainstream works performed in rapid succession in a loosely structured series have been curated! That said, these two CDs showcase the level David Robertson has brought the Sydney Symphony to during his tenure as Chief Conductor. The only problem with the complete Firebird ballet is that the first half, with its shimmering (and the SSO certainly knows how to shimmer – beautifully) textures seems to last forever: I found myself longing for something to happen amid all the colour and movement of the more familiar suites, which, when they finally arrived, were worth waiting for. Petrushka is probably the best prospect for “tunes”. Here, Robertson went for loud primary Kandinsky-like colours and textures, but also captured the sinister overtones of the sadistic Moor. The Rite of Spring was a real savage, not a “pet” one, to coin Stravinsky’s own rebarbative description of Karajan’s version of the work. (He also described his Dance of the… Continue reading Get…

After last year’s shortfall, the company reports a surplus of $785,984 in its annual report.

The in-demand Australian maestro talks about a life of the road and the importance of the message behind the music.

The Latvian violinist shares her favourite recordings and her most embarrassing moment on stage.

English masterpieces by Elgar and Vaughan Williams in superbly played programme.

A well-respected figure in the Australian arts scene, the Sydney Symphony Executive Director will join OA in August.

Carl Vine's Hallucinations prove a hypnotic new addition to the trombone rep.

WA’s mighty Fisch scales the NSW peaks and then some.

Principal Trombone Ronald Prussing shares his memories of the former Sydney Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor.