A Fresh Take on Fibich

Among Czech nationalistic composers, Zdenek Fibich's work has been woefully overlooked. The Czech National Symphony offers a partial corrective on its new CD.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Shakespeare’s Ophelia Finds a New Voice

SHAKESPEARE didn't give Hamlet's Ophelia near the complexity and substance HANS ABRAHAMSEN and BARBARA HANNIGAN bring to her character in LET ME TELL YOU.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Luxurious Perfection of Chanticleer: 35 Years of ‘Clear Singing’

The early music vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER is marking its 35th anniversary with a new album, The Siren's Call. Herewith a retrospective salute and a listener's guide to Chanticleer musts.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Exploring Celestial Harmony

On 'Spheres,' his new album, violin great DANIEL HOPE explores Music of the Spheres, the junction between philosophy, mathematics and music. Blame Pythagoras.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Inhabiting a World Between

On AURA, RUTH McGINLEY and NEIL MARTIN take ten traditional Irish tunes into new and hauntingly evocative territories.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Dazzling French Connection

After dazzling the opera world on stage last year, Belgium's SONYA YONCHEVA is doing it on record, with her debut album, PARIS, MON AMOUR--a different sort of French connection. Also: TRIO MEDIAEVAL.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Dramatic, Innovative, Profoundly Moving

The first recording of JAMES MACMILLAN's examination of the events following Christ's crucifixion, SINCE IT WAS THE DAY OF PREPARATION, is a triumph.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Senza pedale ma con tanti colori

WITHOUT THE PEDAL BUT WITH PLENTY OF COLORS: in his self-penned essay the towering classical pianist András Schiff discusses the challenges and nuances of J.S. Bach's music poses for the contemporary musician.
by David McGee
 

 

 

To The Birthday Bard, Ever Young at 450

Commemorating Shakespeare's 450th birthday, the ULSTER ORCHESTRA, under the direction of conductor JoAnn Falletta, offers two timeless Bard-related compositions by JOHN KNOWLES PAINE.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Feeling Nature’s Rhythms, Mystery and Spiritual Beauty

A sequence of nine evocative, often poignant solo piano pieces by the young Scottish composer/pianist Alexander Chapman Campbell, inspired by a walk through Norwegian mountains
by David McGee
 

 

 

Young Mozart, Poised to Beguile Georgian Society

When eight-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrived in London in 1764, he was, according to JOSEPH NEWSOME, 'poised to beguile the music-loving denizens of Georgian society.' A new album, MOZART IN LONDON, captures that moment.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Many ‘Worlds’ of Mandolinist Extraordinaire Avi Avital

Israeli-born mandolinist AVI AVITAL is blurring the classical-folk lines anew with BETWEEN WORLDS, featuring the work of 'classical composers inspired by folk music.'
by David McGee