This evening at the SSO Gala titled after the star soloist, French violinist Renaud Capucon, was one for the archives, with a close-to-perfection reading of the warhorse that is the Beethoven Violin Concerto ( Read more... )

Last evening at the SSO presented a programme that was pleasing to the ears from start to finish. For some reason, seldom do you get an entire programme of easy-listening masterpieces, so inexplicable is their intention to introduce lesser known repertory to the audience in the choice of fillers for their programmes ( Read more... )

When it comes to fiscal reports and statistics, budgeted, forecast and actual numbers will invariably differ, the manifested figure the true indicator of performance ( Read more... )

One year ago, the Orchestra of the Music Makers performed in their inaugural concert and in the twelve months since, have presented a season and repertoire that could rival and rank among professional orchestras. Ambition and determination are what drive the young members in their quest for music making by music lovers for music lovers ( Read more... )

In the last few minutes of the Mozart Requiem, as the Communion drew to its exhilarating close, I had a near seizure, overcome by a sudden inexplicable sense of dread and discomfort. Perhaps it was a prophetic premonition of my impending end or maybe it was just simply the overwhelming experience of the work. Under the baton of Rolf Beck and his ( Read more... )

DId I book this concert for the Mozart or the Bruckner? Probably more the former than the latter. The Mozart Piano Concerto No 20 in D minor, K466 has always held a special place in my mental jukebox, for being one of the pair in a minor key (the other being No 24 which I prefer). As performed by Anne-Marie McDermott, it was a neat tidy ( Read more... )

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Like manna from Heaven, this provides sustenance for the mind, body and spirit during this trying period...

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And how many of us can honestly and truthfully say we've not done this (albeit without recording it and posting it online)?

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Would that I were there...

Of course, certainly not a possibility, and not only because I was still in liquid form...

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OMG! To say this performance "blew me away" would be barely scratching the surface. Simply breathtaking reading...