News
This week's chart now available
To download the latest Specialist Classical Chart as a pdf, click "Chart" from the menu above.
28th Sep 2009
Thierry Fischer named Utah Symphony music director
Thierry Fischer has been announced as the new music director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra. The Swiss conductor succeeds Keith Lockhart, whose tenure finished at the end of May. Fischer is currently the principal conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and chief conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic, positions he will continue to hold. His contract at Utah runs until the end of the 2012/13 season, with an option to renew for a further three years after that.
25th Sep 2009
Music in the Community
When recently Gramophone ran an online feature about the world’s most inspiring orchestras – focusing exclusively on their social roles rather than their musical quality – there was a fulsome reaction. Readers wrote to voice their approval and media outlets reported on the initiative. Music has always had a transformative power; it can help to give lives direction, even to give life itself a measure of clarity and meaning. More practically, perhaps, the meritocratic system of auditions can provide a way up for those from underprivileged backgrounds.
25th Sep 2009
Alfred Brendel named Praemium Imperiale laureate
The winners of the 2009 Praemium Imperiale Awards, honouring outstanding contributions to the arts, were announced today. Five leading international figures were selected by the Japan Art Association, and recognised in the field of music was pianist Alfred Brendel. Selected alongside Brendel were photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, sculptor Richard Long, architect Zaha Hadid and playwright Tom Stoppard. They join an impressive list of former laureates, including music winners Györgi Ligeti, Mstislav Rostropovich, Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim.
24th Sep 2009
Paul Watkins joins Ulster Orchestra
For cellist and conductor Paul Watkins 2009 has been a particularly successful year. First came his appointment as music director of the English Chamber Orchestra, a three-year engagement from the current 2009-10 season. Now comes the news that he will also take over as principal guest conductor of the Ulster Orchestra with immediate effect. This engagement, too, is for an initial period of three years.
23rd Sep 2009
Sofya Gulyak triumphs in Leeds
Sofya Gulyak has triumphed over almost 200 applicants to win the 16th Leeds International Pianoforte Competition. The 29-year-old Russian impressed the panel of judges - including Beaux Arts Trio pianist Menahem Pressler and 1981 Leeds first-prize winner Ian Hobson – with her performance of Brahms’s First Piano Concerto with Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé in the final. She receives the Princess Mary Gold Medal and a cash prize of £15,000.
14th Sep 2009
Petrenko extends Liverpool Philharmonic contract
The successful partnership between the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Vasily Petrenko was yesterday cemented further as the young conductor signed a three-year contract extension. Petrenko, who has been credited with attracting fresh, younger audiences to classical music, will now remain in Liverpool until 2015. His title will change from principal conductor to chief conductor in recognition of the new commitment.
10th Sep 2009
This week's Specialist Classical Chart is now online
Select "This week's chart" from the menu above to download the chart for the week ending September 5.
7th Sep 2009
Obituary: Geoffrey Tozer, pianist
The Australian pianist, Geoffrey Tozer, has died aged 54. He was best known to the wider musical public for his pioneering recordings of Medtner’s piano music for Chandos, which garnered much international praise including a Diapason...
4th Sep 2009
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops conductor, has died
If Arthur Fielder was the king of pops conductors, Erich Kunzel rightly earned the title “Prince of Pops”. For more than three decades, Kunzel presided over the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, touring the world and making 85 recordings for the Telarc label. Their discs won Grammy awards and sold more than 10 million copies.
4th Sep 2009
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