Latest stories
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François-Xavier Roth and Les Siècles perform Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition
17th Apr 2020
The French conductor and ensemble return to the music of Ravel, with his orchestration of Mussorgsky's piano suite alongside a dazzling performance of La Valse.
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New Music Book Publications - 6th April 2020
6th Apr 2020
An examination of Bach's creative process; an essay on the tendency of listeners to hear music as a projection of a composer's inner self; discussions of the music of Brahms, Offenbach, Verdi, and Berlioz; a reassessment of the music of Prokofiev; a new musicological perspective on music after Debussy; and an account of music in North Korea.
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Víkingur Ólafsson performs piano music by Debussy and Rameau
27th Mar 2020
The Icelandic pianist releases his third album on Deutsche Grammophon: an exquisitely-performed programme of music by Debussy and Rameau.
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New Music Book Publications - 23rd March 2020
23rd Mar 2020
A discussion of the ways in which Beethoven began his works; a critical account of Prokofiev's operas; cross-curricular experiments in sound based on the music of John Cage; a documentation of how the songs of the troubadours were not originally French in nature; and a look at the life and career of famed jazz saxophonist, Ornette Coleman.
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Víkingur Ólafsson on Debussy and Rameau
23rd Mar 2020
James talks to Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson about his latest album on Deutsche Grammophon: a fascinating pairing of music by Debussy and Jean Philippe Rameau.
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New Music Book Publications - 9th March 2020
9th Mar 2020
A study of Mahler's Eighth Symphony; a biography of Mozart during his final decade in Vienna; Steven Isserlis's take on Schumann's Advice to Young Musicians; a discussion of music and the countryside; an examination of music's role during the Great War; a collection of lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; and the latest volumes in Faber & Faber's Greatest Hits series.
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Two world premiere recordings of music by Thomas Adès
6th Mar 2020
Thomas Adès conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra in performances of two of his own works: the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, and Totentanz.
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John Eliot Gardiner concludes his cycle of Schumann symphonies with the LSO
28th Feb 2020
With sparkling, joyous performances of the Spring and Rhenish symphonies, John Eliot Gardiner and the LSO bring their Schumann cycle to an exuberant conclusion.
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New Music Book Publications - 24th February 2020
24th Feb 2020
A guide to the music of Mendelssohn; discussions of the music of William Byrd, and Ernest Bloch; a biography of "Hitler's Pianist", Ernst Hanfstaengl; a social history of the drum kit; an exploration of symbolism in music of the Middle Ages; and volumes on jazz musicians Dave Brubeck and Duke Ellington.
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Paavo Järvi conducts orchestral works by Bartók
14th Feb 2020
The NHK Symphony Orchestra and Paavo Järvi perform a trio of works by Bartók: Divertimento for String Orchestra, Dance Suite, and Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta.
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New Music Book Publications - 10th February 2020
10th Feb 2020
Two publications for the Beethoven anniversary year; the history of organ-building firm, Gray & Davison; a handbook of key concepts in musical theory; activities to encourage well-being in toddlers and young children; a contextual study of the impact of The Beatles; and an examination of the role of women in Caribbean carnival music.
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John Wilson on Sinfonia of London
30th Jan 2020
The British conductor talks to James about his new ensemble and their first two recording projects of music by Korngold plus a selection of French orchestral works.
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New Music Book Publications - 27th January 2020
27th Jan 2020
Discussions of the music of Mahler, Telemann, Peter Maxwell Davies, and Ernst von Dohnányi; the importance of fantasy to nineteenth-century French music; books on polyphony in medieval Paris and music during times of plague; an introduction to country music; and an examination of the popularity of musical theatre across America.
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Liszt’s Dante Symphony plus a world-premiere recording from Kirill Karabits
24th Jan 2020
Kirill Karabits conducts the Staatskapelle Weimar in orchestral works by Liszt, including the world-premiere recording of the Künstlerfestzug zur Schillerfeier.
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New Music Book Publications - 13th January 2020
13th Jan 2020
Biographies of Johann Sebastian Bach and Irving Berlin; a history of fifteenth-century music; philosophical explorations of both the bodily experience and the love of music; an encyclopedia of Johnny Cash; and a discussion of the increasingly blurred distinction between music and sound effects in the modern soundtrack.
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2019 Goodbyes
2nd Jan 2020
A short video tribute remembering some of the musicians who passed away during 2019.
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Osmo Vänskä conducts Mahler's Fourth Symphony
27th Dec 2019
Joined by soprano Carolyn Sampson, Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra continue their Mahler cycle with an exquisitely-detailed performance of the Fourth Symphony.
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New Music Book Publications - 23rd December 2019
23rd Dec 2019
A collection of essays on Berlioz; conversations with conductor Sir Mark Elder; a study of film music by Aaron Copland and Hanns Eisler; a guide to Broadway musicals; tips on training opera singers; photographs documenting the life and work of Jonas Kaufmann; and a history of jazz in post-war East Germany.
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New Music Book Publications - 9th December 2019
9th Dec 2019
An analysis of Mahler's Seventh Symphony; books engaging with the sacred music of Johann Sebastian Bach; a companion to the world of operetta; a celebration of 100 years of the Royal Academy of Dance; essays pondering the nature of rhythm; and a guide for singers on performing rock music within the context of musical theatre.
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New Music Book Publications - 25th November 2019
25th Nov 2019
A collection of letters between Leonard Bernstein and two of his Japanese fans; the history of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; a look at how censorship affected the composition of Berg's opera, Lulu; and the impact of technology on the development of new sounds and instruments.
