Features

Biggio time beckons for Striggio

It's no surprise that a 16th-century Mass has hit the pop charts, says Jessica Duchen – spiritual music always helps in tough times

Inside Features

Silent revolution for the Philharmonia Orchestra

Friday, 18 March 2011

Carl Davis conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in his own accompaniment to the original silent film Phantom of the Opera this month. In February he conducted his scores to Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush and Modern Times – and this is only a taste of the empire he has created over the past 30 years.

Gypsy music - Mesmerised by Magyar melodies

Friday, 11 March 2011

Forget the stereotypical images of Gypsy culture – it's about time we acknowledged the lasting contribution that the Roma have made to classical music, says Jessica Duchen

New CD celebrates Joseph Joachim, lynchpin of music-making in the Romantic era

Friday, 4 March 2011

The British violinist Daniel Hope is setting out to restore Joseph Joachim (1831-1907) to his rightful place as the lynchpin of music-making in the Romantic era, with a new CD entitled The Romantic Violin. And it's not a moment too soon, for some of the 19th century's crucial musical developments revolved around this violinist and composer.

Independent classical podcast: Sophie Bevan

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

The "one little maid in attendance come" or, to be more precise, the delectable Yum-Yum, arrived hot-foot from rehearsals for the 25th Anniversary revival of Jonathan Miller's staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado in the petite blond personage of Sophie Bevan.

Independent classical podcast: Jakub Hrusa

Monday, 28 February 2011

In 2010 Jakub Hrusa became the second youngest conductor ever to be afforded the honour of opening the Prague Spring Festival.

Heads Up: Operashots

Sunday, 27 February 2011

A Python and a Police man call all the shots

The lightning conductor

Friday, 25 February 2011

Valery Gergiev on being the world’s most prolific maestro.

Independent classical podcast: Andrew Litton

Tuesday, 22 February 2011

It's a well-kept secret that the Bergen Philharmonic is one of the world's oldest orchestras - 246 years old and counting. Norway's most famous son, Edvard Grieg, was himself artistic director from 1880-1882. Now, and for the foreseeable future, an American is at the helm.