Jessica Duchen's Classical Music Blog

If you've got it, use it

2009-11-21T08:59:00.002Z

An e-interview with cellist Robert Cohen about his new series of free podcast interviews with arts movers and shakers. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2464

Friday Historical: The Best Famous Belgian!

2009-11-20T16:28:00.001Z

To celebrate with Mr Van R, here's the best thing that ever came out of Belgium that wasn't chocolate: http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2463

Opera & Ballet: The Odd Couple

2009-11-20T09:05:00.001Z

My piece in today's Indy about the rapprochement of these two arts...
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/features/ballet-and-opera--the-odd-couple-1823711.html

"Comply with compliance..."

2009-11-19T09:24:00.001Z

A few thoughts on this peculiar concept, plus a link to a very good article - and do you remember the time that someone said "f***" on R3?? http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2417

"Alt-Classical": is this the future?

2009-11-17T10:42:00.001Z

Thoughts on the direction of new music as reflected in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's new composers-in-residence, with thanks to Greg Sandow, James MacMillan and Norman Lebrecht, not to mention Riccardo Muti and Sakari Oramo... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2413

Last Composer Standing

2009-11-15T13:33:00.002Z

Norman Lebrecht is inviting votes for the living composers most likely still to be performed 50 years from now. Interesting stuff for a number of reasons...and I've added a rogue name to the roster: Kapustin. Read more... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2409

Driving to Distraction

2009-11-14T10:29:00.002Z

In which Clive Davis has a problem with speedy Bach, I recall a little Wagner on the M3 and we encounter the unfortunate consequence of forgotten sandwiches on the way home from Macclesfield... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2408

Friday Historical: The Comendian Harmonists

2009-11-13T15:22:00.001Z

A visit to Germany's greatest pre-war singing troupe, in honour of my mother-in-law, who was born into their world in 1925 and is critically ill at present. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2407

Tchaikovsky Cheers Up

2009-11-12T09:02:00.001Z

Post re my article about the reassessment of Tchaikovsky in today's Independent...http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2404

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Sings Bach

2009-11-08T14:10:00.001Z

http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2395

"Ochin priatna"

2009-11-07T09:21:00.000Z

Apparently the Beast from the East likes classical music. Why should this sound so weird? http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2393

Moments of Inspiration

2009-11-06T09:43:00.002Z

Diverse news and inspiration for Friday morning, featuring a link to a profoundly moving story about the healing power of music, some words of wisdom from Lionel Shriver and a rather odd photo from outside a Rite of Spring rehearsal...http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2391

Notes on programme notes

2009-11-03T09:14:00.003Z

So what do you want from a programme at a concert or opera? A few thoughts on what's wrong and why. Ideas, please, on how to fix it. (Comments at the Standpoint site, please, rather than here - it's good to have one discussion rather than two - thanks!). http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2386

November...

2009-11-02T08:46:00.003Z

November edition of Standpoint includes my article on No Music Day and how our minds affect our listening; and a stunning essay by James Macmillan on music and modernity. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2384

Dilettante's Composer Competition Countdown

2009-11-01T10:09:00.001Z

An e-interview with Dilettante Music's Digital Composer-in-Residence Competition judge Nico Muhly as the big evening approaches: http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2382

Glyndebourne, the Movie

2009-10-30T15:00:00.001Z

Glyndebourne has just released on DVD a gorgeous little movie from 1956...watch the trailer here! http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2378

Bog off, Bruckner

2009-10-30T11:02:00.001Z

Self-explanatory title, that... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2377

Bennett play about Britten & Auden

2009-10-28T10:49:00.000Z

Opening at the National Theatre next week. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2367

Sad news from Bosnia

2009-10-27T14:32:00.002Z

Mostar's National Theatre has been forced to close. Please sign the petition to save it... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2364

Two posts today...

2009-10-23T14:50:00.002+01:00

First, a review of The Turn of the Screw which opened at ENO last night - and it's as good as it gets. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2332

Then, as it's Friday afternoon & time for historical stuff, an absolute gem from Nino Rota's rarely-heard-these-days score for The Glass Mountain, from the 1949 movie starring Tito Gobbi. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2343

Voting is Open...

2009-10-22T11:27:00.001+01:00

...in the Dilettante Music digital composer-in-residence competition. Listen to the three finalists online and cast your vote! http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2304

Mythblasting

2009-10-20T10:58:00.002+01:00

My colleagues at The Independent on Sunday had some fun with The Emperor's New Clothes - 50 Myths about Modern Britain. So I thought we'd join in & have set out to debunk my 13.5 top musical myths. Trouble is, I keep thinking of more, so watch for updates... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2300

And now for something completely different...

2009-10-17T12:14:00.002+01:00

...you have got to see this video! Clues: rollerblading, bottles, Toreador song. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2289

ROH Tristan: the reckoning

2009-10-17T09:38:00.001+01:00

I was bowled over and out by the ROH's new Tristan und Isolde the other day. Read about it here: http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2288

Magnum opera

2009-10-16T08:52:00.002+01:00

Mad props to The Independent which has included my blog in its 25 best music websites roundup today (but without a link!). And a couple of interesting things I spotted at the Royal Opera House last night. More about the performance of Tristan a bit later, when I have managed to get back down from the ceiling. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2287