Franck, Horszowski and a recording of Tchaikovsky whistling

Links to fascinating material at Stephen Hough's blog featuring the voice of Tchaikovsky and great stuff about the Franck Prelude, Chorale & Fugue, plus my own memories of Horszowski playing it. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2489

Mischa, Jascha, Toscha, Sascha...

Wonderfully indulgent historical violin stuff for a wet Sunday and the anniversary of Korngold's death, with Gershwin attached, lots of Jascha and Toscha and a bit of dear old Fritz, plus a little help from Tanita Tikaram and Philippe Graffin. Ideal sampled with fruity porridge. Utterly my kind of stuff. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2487

Friday Historical: Menuhin plays Brahms

A rare live broadcast from 1943 of Menuhin in the slow movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto. Breathtaking & sublime...http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2484

If you've got it, use it

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!

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

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..."

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?

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

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

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

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

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

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Sings Bach

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

"Ochin priatna"

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

Moments of Inspiration

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

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...

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

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