BBC Music Magazine is a must for anyone with a passion for classical music. Classical music connoisseurs and new enthusiast alike will enjoy the fascinating features and reviews of over 120 new works in every issue.
THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Welcome
BBC Music Magazine
Have your say… • Write to: The editor, BBC Music Magazine, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email: music@classical-music.com Social media: contact us on Facebook and Twitter
LETTER of the MONTH
Fang Zhang strikes BBC Young Musician gold • Seventeen-year-old marimba player becomes the second percussionist to win the title
The Sacconi Quartet goes for a walk on the wild side
THE MONTH IN NUMBERS
Sound Bites
Rising Stars • Three to look out for…
Love does not come calling as Tchaikovsky ties the knot
Also in July 1877
We’re in the middle of a chain reaction…
DÉJÀ VU • History just keeps on repeating itself…
Shiva Feshareki
Studio Secrets • We reveal who’s recording what and where...
REWIND Great artists talk about their past recordings • This month: RINALDO ALESSANDRINI Harpsichordist
Buried Treasure • Violinist Benjamin Baker introduces favourite recordings from his collection
Is music good for you? • Since ancient times, many of us have liked to believe in music as a civilising force for good; Tom Service offers a more pessimistic view of music and its capabilities
FAREWELL TO…
Music to my ears • What the classical world has been listening to this month
CRITIC’S CHOICE
CRITIC’S CHOICE
Our Choices • The BBC Music Magazine team’s current favourites
Richard Morrison • For the sake of everyone’s sanity, let amateur bands and choirs resume!
The Flying Finn • After negotiating the tricky task of conducting 2020’s audience-free Last Night of the Proms with flying colours, Dalia Stasevska has been welcomed back to lead the First Night in this year’s festival. She looks forward to the occasion with Richard Morrison
The Proms’ First Night • An evolution from small beginnings
Very fine Finnish • Four BBC conductors
Randall Goosby
Lessons from the top • The Perlman Music Program
Queen of the opera stage • Following the recent death of Christa Ludwig, we present a gallery of photographs celebrating the much loved mezzo-soprano’s career
A chat with Ludwig • Beethoven’s conversation books, through which the deaf composer communicated with those around him, offer a fascinatingly detailed insight into his life. Michael Church takes a look at a new translation
Ludwig in the mind • An imaginary retelling
Opening thoughts • Overtures were once considered an essential feature of a typical orchestral concert. So, George Hall asks three of today’s leading conductors, why have they largely fallen out of favour?
Sir Antonio Pappano
Sir Mark Elder
Notes from the Emerald Isle • Terry Blain explores the richly varied classical music history of Ireland, from its folk roots in the 17th century to the brilliant young composers working today
A Celtic affection • Bax’s inner Irishman
A wheel pleasure • Brian Wise takes a look at new audio technology that is allowing car drivers to enjoy increasingly vivid Vivaldi, blazing Brahms and scintillating Sibelius
Warning chords • Bespoke in-car sounds
Devon United Kingdom • Paul Riley explores the English county’s vibrant music scene, heading from coastal towns and cathedral cities to tiny countryside churches
Matthew Locke
Julius Eastman • A brilliant pianist, composer, singer and dancer, Eastman’s wayward lifestyle hindered the success...