classical music & opera
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Argerich’s uneasiness playing solo meant a programme of works for four hands that, due to her own exceptional skill and formidable technique, was unevenly balanced
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Iván Fischer and his Budapest orchestra want to play in every abandoned synagogue in Hungary. Daniel Barenboim joined them for a fundraiser
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Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau was a life-changer, he’s sung Wagner on top of Mount Kilimanjaro, and last danced to Tom Chaplin. The Canadian bass-baritone tells us about his musical life on and off the opera stage
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Fate of Greek capital’s Megaron highlights depths to which culture has been hit in country grappling with its worst financial crisis
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Artist George Butler created the Hands Up Foundation after first-hand experience of the devastation in Syria. He explains how we can help – by raising our voices
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Thrilling concert collaborations, virtuoso opera stagings and the emergence of fresh new stars – our classical music critic’s picks of 2016
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Anna Netrebko in the title role makes this dowdy concert version of Puccini’s first operatic success worth hearing
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Ars Antiqua Austria/Letzbor
(Pan Classics)
facing the music
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The cellist on growing up with Schubert and Schumann, and the fascination of the theremin
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From Keith Jarrett’s new musical grammar to John Cage’s iconoclasm via Bach and Busoni, the composer and pianist tells us what inspires him
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weekly from the archive
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9 March 1971: Meirion Bowen on the scholar, virtuosic musician and crumhorn whizzkid at the forefront of the period-instrument movement, who died tragically young 40 years ago
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From the archive, 23 April 1827: Following the death of Beethoven, the Observer publishes a personal account of the eccentric and prodigiously talented composer
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From the archive, 11 August 1876: The Guardian reports from the very first Bayreuth Wagner festival, presided over by the composer himself.
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Comment A subsidised critic is the thin end of a dangerous wedge
Michael BillingtonThe Boston Globe’s initiative to fund a classical music critic by nonprofit groups raises troubling questions for arts critics on both sides of the Atlantic -
Arguments in favour left many unconvinced, and with his Barbican concerts Simon Rattle has already showed the difference he can make to a venue’s sound
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you may have missed
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William Kentridge and conductor Mark Wigglesworth underplay the humour as Brenda Rae proves a tireless, enigmatic heart to a production awash with projected imagery
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This young Greek conductor’s recordings of Mozart operas have redefined music and changed my life with their profound vision, energy and face-punching force
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The choirmaster who used to sell ice creams on Bournemouth beach is angling for his next Christmas No 1 – and teaching Team GB how to sing the National Anthem properly
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Photographer Teri Pengilly was given exclusive access to the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday to watch preparations for the biggest night in classical music’s calendar
guides
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Tom Service's survey of the 50 symphonies that changed classical music
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Our series ends in Berlin, the classical music lover’s dream destination, with Berg, Busoni, Bowie and Bernstein.
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Tom Service introduces 50 composers from the contemporary classical music scene
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Der Rosenkavalier Strauss's dance to the music of time