The Cello Diaries: Flying high with Mr Stradivari and Mr Paganini
They say the cello’s sound is the closest to the human voice among instruments. A cello, because of its size, feels like a person, sometimes … Read more
Jessye Norman in Kyiv
Looking back: Jessye Norman in Kyiv 2003 Despite the horrors of war, the nightly air raid sirens and audience restrictions (so that everyone can fit … Read more
Embracing artists beyond nationality
“Why do the nations so furiously rage together?” Autumn leaves cover the ground in a kaleidoscope of colour, from golden yellows to scarlet reds. A … Read more
sideNotes: T-PAC
The heart of Taipei’s cultural scene welcomes the AAPPAC Located in Taipei’s lively Shilin Night Market, an area known for its vibrant street culture, the … Read more
sideNotes: János Starker at 100
The 1946 Concours de Genève (Geneva International Music Competition), the first held after World War II, was not solely about musical excellence. For many Eastern … Read more
sideNotes: Frank Martin
50 years after his death, Geneva embarks on a musical odyssey to celebrate Frank Martin In October 1944, Radio Geneva commissioned a choral work, to … Read more
sideNotes: My very own Trattoria
By Florian Riem “Anybody who wants to be a real musician should also be able to compose a menu” wrote Richard Strauss. I am originally … Read more
sideNotes: Thinking big
A spectacular sound experience, featuring 50 pianos. By Florian Riem I always loved the grandeur of several keyboards alongside each other. Herbert von Karajan used … Read more
sideNotes: Sherill Milnes on the subtle art of getting stabbed on stage
By Florian Riem Visiting the Ningbo International Vocal Competition in China last autumn, I was surprised to find one of my opera idols from 30 … Read more