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Against the status quo: the music of Johanna Beyer

By Lawrence Dunn, 14 April 2023

A pioneering composer of music for electronic instruments in the 1930s, Johanna Beyer also wrote singular chamber and large ensemble music. A portrait concert will be presented at LAC Lugano in May.

14 Apr 2023

Against the status quo: the music of Johanna Beyer

By Lawrence Dunn

Six of the best audio streaming platforms for classical music in 2023

By David Karlin, 05 April 2023

We compare six audio streaming services you might choose for classical music: Idagio, Presto Music, Apple Music Classical, Spotify, Tidal and Amazon Music Unlimited.

05 Apr 2023

Six of the best audio streaming platforms for classical music in 2023

By David Karlin

Day of Wrath: Rachmaninov and the Dies irae

By Mark Pullinger, 01 April 2023

The demonic Dies irae motif haunts many of Rachmaninov’s compositions – but what meaning did this Catholic hymn have for the Russian composer?

01 Apr 2023

Day of Wrath: Rachmaninov and the Dies irae

By Mark Pullinger

Rachmaninov and the voice

By Roy Westbrook, 01 April 2023

Many of Rachmaninov's works were written for himself to play at the piano, but he was also a considerable composer for the voice, covering everything from intimate songs to operas and liturgical choral music.

01 Apr 2023

Rachmaninov and the voice

By Roy Westbrook

Pressure and intoxication: the Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition

By Lawrence Dunn, 31 March 2023

Twenty talented young conductors descend on London to participate in the Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition 2023, one of the most prestigious in the world.

31 Mar 2023

Pressure and intoxication: the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition

By Lawrence Dunn

The hidden hand: Jorma Panula’s role in nurturing conducting talent

By Alexander Hall, 28 March 2023

Jorma Panula may not be a household name, but he matters enormously in the career development of many conductors. We speak to several of Panula’s Finnish students in order to learn more.

28 Mar 2023

The hidden hand: Jorma Panula

By Alexander Hall

Tár shines a light on orchestral life in Germany

By Lawrence Dunn, 30 January 2023

Cate Blanchett’s imperious performance has attracted praise and controversy. Yet in Germany, a woman chief conductor of Lydia Tár’s status seems distant.

30 Jan 2023

Tár shines a light on orchestral life in Germany

By Lawrence Dunn

Why Ravel’s La Valse is the most performed work in the world

By Tristan Labouret, 05 January 2023

Our statistics for 2022 show that the French composer's work has dethroned the great hits of classical music. Is this a one-off triumph or the start of a lasting dominance? We explain...

05 Jan 2023

Why Ravel’s La Valse is the most performed work in the world

By Tristan Labouret

England vs France – but with composers

By David Karlin, 10 December 2022

We imagine the teamsheets if England and France’s classical composers went head to head – via a sneak peak of Most Performed Composers from Bachtrack’s Annual Statistics 2022.

10 Dec 2022

England vs France – but with composers

By David Karlin

Screaming, singing, sulking: how schoolchildren have influenced composers from Imogen Holst to Alex Paxton

By Elodie Olson-Coons, 30 November 2022

Speaking to Alex Paxton and Kate Whitley, Elodie Olson-Coons discusses how composers have been influenced by working with schoolchildren, this “amazing, little gobbet of sonic humanity”.

30 Nov 2022

Screaming, singing, sulking: how schoolchildren influenced composers

By Elodie Olson-Coons

Staging Górecki’s Sorrowful Songs

By Mark Pullinger, 14 October 2022

This season, Henryk Górecki’s Third Symphony hits London’s stages twice: Crystal Pite expands Flight Pattern for a new work at The Royal Ballet, while Isabella Bywater presents it at English National Opera.

14 Oct 2022

Staging Górecki’s Sorrowful Songs

By Mark Pullinger

One of a kind: Impressions from the 2022 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis

By Cameron Kelsall, 07 October 2022

We take in the atmosphere chatting to those behind the scenes and listen to highlights of this year's medalists.

07 Oct 2022

Impressions from the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis

By Cameron Kelsall

Between sea and lake: the 2022 International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition

By Alain Lompech, 15 September 2022

A unique spectacle in the landscape of international competitions, this year's Grieg Competition crowns Japanese pianist Fuko Ishii at the end of a rich week of events.

15 Sep 2022

Between sea and lake: the 2022 International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition

By Alain Lompech

Exploring Budapest’s music venues with Liszt Fest 2022

By David Karlin, 08 September 2022

The Liszt Fest showcases music in venues spread widely across Budapest. We take you on a tour around five of the festival's most important venues.

08 Sep 2022

Exploring Budapest’s music venues with Liszt Fest 2022

By David Karlin

July at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack, 05 August 2022

This is what you don't want to miss from our July English review coverage.

05 Aug 2022

July at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack

June at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack, 08 July 2022

This is what you don't want to miss from our June English review coverage.

08 Jul 2022

June at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack

Concours musical international de Montréal: Joyful energy and extraordinary talent

By Elena Luporini, 27 June 2022

Having just concluded its 20th edition, the CMIM is one of the most important music competitions in North America. This year’s edition, dedicated to voice, gathered thirty-two promising young talents from all over the world.

27 Jun 2022

CMIM 2022: Joyful energy and extraordinary talent

By Elena Luporini

Summer 2022 in France: a plethora of classical concerts in 15 festivals

By Tristan Labouret, 24 June 2022

On an island, on a mountain, under trees, in a cave; piano, quartet, orchestra, choral, opera: here are 15 festivals to spur you on to musical adventures.

24 Jun 2022

Summer 2022 in France: 15 festivals to tempt you

By Tristan Labouret

Sugar-coating the sinister: ETA Hoffmann at the ballet

By Jenifer Sarver, 22 June 2022

Jenifer Sarver looks at the disturbing short stories, which, ironically, inspired two of the lightest confections of the ballet repertoire: The Nutcracker and Coppélia.

22 Jun 2022

Sugar-coating the sinister: ETA Hoffmann at the ballet

By Jenifer Sarver

Master of the fantastical: the life and work of ETA Hoffmann

By Alexandra Richter, 22 June 2022

Alexandra Richter explores the dark and sinister world of the German Romanticist ETA Hoffmann.

22 Jun 2022

Master of the fantastical: the life and work of ETA Hoffmann

By Alexandra Richter

Drunk on love and wine: Jacques Offenbach's Les Contes d’Hoffmann

By Elodie Olson-Coons, 22 June 2022

Elodie Olson-Coons tells the tales of Jacques Offenbach's inescapably dark opéra fantastique.

22 Jun 2022

Drunk on love and wine: Jacques Offenbach's Les Contes d’Hoffmann

By Elodie Olson-Coons

May at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack, 10 June 2022

This is what you don't want to miss from our May English review coverage.

10 Jun 2022

May at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack

Discover Estonia: Music festivals in unusual places

By Kurt Gottschalk, 27 May 2022

From lakes to majestic castles, from seaside towns to ancient churches, here are five festivals not to miss this summer.

27 May 2022

Discover Estonia: Music festivals in unusual places

By Kurt Gottschalk

April at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack, 06 May 2022

This is what you don't want to miss from our April English review coverage.

06 May 2022

April at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack

A listening journey in six steps: contemporary women composers in Estonia

By Kevin W Ng, 08 April 2022

We learn more about six amongst the many interesting women composers active today in Estonia.

08 Apr 2022

Six contemporary women composers in Estonia

By Kevin W Ng

The Kyiv Soloists: music-making for peace

By Zenaida des Aubris, 06 April 2022

The ensemble from Kyiv was on tour when the war broke out, so they decided to keep making music to help fundraise for those left back home.

06 Apr 2022

The Kyiv Soloists: music-making for peace

By Zenaida des Aubris

Springtime in Barcelona, an entwining of extraordinary voices

By Juan José Freijo, 15 March 2022

The musical offering in Barcelona is wide and of unquestionable quality. Here are some of the most interesting events to be enjoyed this spring.

15 Mar 2022

Springtime in Barcelona, an entwining of extraordinary voices

By Juan José Freijo

Hungarian State Opera: the rebirth of a giant

By George Jahn, 10 March 2022

Bachtrack goes on a tour of the newly refurbished opera house in Budapest, to discover all the new tech wonders alongside the old splendour now shining again.

10 Mar 2022

Hungarian State Opera: the rebirth of a giant

By George Jahn

February at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack, 04 March 2022

This is what you don't want to miss from our February English review coverage.

04 Mar 2022

February at Bachtrack: English reviews highlights

By Bachtrack

Má vlast: freedom, resilience and Czech identity

By Cameron Kelsall, 25 February 2022

Má vlast is a universal and contemporary piece: we look into what makes it so powerful, and how the Czech Philharmonic has made it a landmark piece within its repertoire.

25 Feb 2022

Má vlast: freedom, resilience and Czech identity

By Cameron Kelsall

Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival: a feast for the senses

By Stephen Pritchard, 11 February 2022

From opera to world-class soloists, this spring Barcelona will be in musical bloom.

11 Feb 2022

Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival: a feast for the senses

By Stephen Pritchard

A pact of happiness with nature: the new Penderecki's Garden website

By Laura Volpi, 03 December 2021

We explore the new website celebrating Krzysztof Penderecki's musical and horticultural legacy and discover a rather unique treasure trove of information and sensory stimulation.

03 Dec 2021

A pact of happiness with nature: the new Penderecki's Garden website

By Laura Volpi

Christmas in Barcelona: love, food and culture

By Aina Vega Rofes, 26 November 2021

Our Barcelona-based writer Aina Vega Rofes guides us through the best thing to see, taste and listen to when spending the holidays in the Catalan capital.

26 Nov 2021

Christmas in Barcelona: love, food and culture

By Aina Vega Rofes

The many faces of Barcelona: three architecture walks in the Catalan capital

By Laura Volpi, 19 November 2021

Follow me on three mini-walking tours around some of my favourite music venues in the city.

19 Nov 2021

The many faces of Barcelona: three architecture walks

By Laura Volpi

History, Music, Nature: first impressions of Estonia

By David Karlin, 08 November 2021

We travelled to this country and experienced its rich musical tradition, luscious nature and interesting history – all made even better by the warmth of the people.

08 Nov 2021

History, Music, Nature: first impressions of Estonia

By David Karlin

A new world-class organ inaugurated in Gothenburg with a concerto premiere

By Morwenna Campbell-Smith, 05 November 2021

Poseidon, the new organ concerto by B. Tommy Andersson, marks the celebrations to welcome the Rieger Orgelbau instrument to the Gothenburg Concert Hall.

05 Nov 2021

New organ in Gothenburg inaugurated with concerto premiere

By Morwenna Campbell-Smith

José Soares wins the Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting

By Nahoko Gotoh, 18 October 2021

The 23-year-old conductor from Brazil, the youngest of the four finalists, has a natural way with the baton and the ability to draw rich and brilliant sounds with effortless gestures.

18 Oct 2021

José Soares wins the Tokyo Competition for Conducting

By Nahoko Gotoh

The ABC of a young violinist: J is for Jobs in summer

By Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut, 29 September 2021

Our violinist-columnist Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut tells about a summer that's always busy for chamber music ensembles, and about the surprising festival experiences they undergo...

29 Sep 2021

The ABC of a young violinist: J is for Jobs in summer

By Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut

Impostor turned imp: Gianni Schicchi in Dante and Puccini

By Isabella Steppan, 17 September 2021

We end Dante Week on a comic note and with Isabella Steppan exploring Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.

17 Sep 2021

Impostor turned imp: Gianni Schicchi in Dante and Puccini

By Isabella Steppan

Prelude to a kiss: Rachmaninov’s Francesca da Rimini

By Mark Pullinger, 15 September 2021

The tale of Francesca and Paolo in Dante’s Inferno has inspired as many musical settings as paintings. Here, Mark Pullinger explores Rachmaninov’s neglected opera, Francesca da Rimini.

15 Sep 2021

Prelude to a kiss: Rachmaninov’s Francesca da Rimini

By Mark Pullinger

From darkness into light: the life and work of Dante Alighieri

By Alexandra Richter, 14 September 2021

Even 700 years after Dante's death his Divine Comedy continues to fascinate us. Alexandra Richter looks closer at this grotesque and excessive, incomparable and highly political work.

14 Sep 2021

From darkness into light: the life and work of Dante Alighieri

By Alexandra Richter

Sculpted Prague: a walk through art and history in the Czech capital

By Frank Kuznik, 09 August 2021

09 Aug 2021

Sculpted Prague: a walk through art and history in the Czech capital

By Frank Kuznik

One day in Prague: going off the beaten track

By Frank Kuznik, 09 August 2021

To truly enjoy all the wonders of Prague follow us on a walking route dotted with history, architecture and food.

09 Aug 2021

One day in Prague: going off the beaten track

By Frank Kuznik

Genius and madness: the Siam Sinfonietta uses lockdown to film a homage to B horror movies

By Laura Volpi, 09 July 2021

We spoke to Thai-American composer and Siam Sinfonietta's founder Somtow Sucharitkul and Thailand-based British film director Paul Spurrier about this unique project born from lockdown restrictions.

09 Jul 2021

The Siam Sinfonietta uses lockdown to film a homage to B horror movies

By Laura Volpi

The ABC of a young violinist: I is for the Inner Game

By Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut, 07 July 2021

Our violinist-columnist Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut reaches the grand recital at the end of his studies. But what goes through the head of a concert artist in full sail?

07 Jul 2021

The ABC of a young violinist: I is for the Inner Game

By Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut

Punching well above its weight: the music festival scene in Estonia

By Alexander Hall, 01 July 2021

We explore the richness of the music landscape in capital city Tallinn and beyond.

01 Jul 2021

The music festival scene in Estonia

By Alexander Hall

Full inspiration: Su Yeon Kim wins the Concours Musical International de Montréal

By Cameron Kelsall, 25 May 2021

We report from the Concours musical international de Montréal, which this year was more international than ever before.

25 May 2021

Su Yeon Kim wins the Concours Musical International de Montréal

By Cameron Kelsall

Music without limits: the Bergen International Festival 2021

By Stephen Pritchard, 06 May 2021

This eclectic Norwegian festival is opening up to the world by expanding even more into digital: we discover more about what's on offer.

06 May 2021

Music without limits: the Bergen International Festival 2021

By Stephen Pritchard

Retracing Bartók's footsteps: a statuesque world-tour

By Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut, 05 May 2021

Follow us as we retrace Bartók's journeys around the world, helped by the dozen statues that have been erected in his honour.

05 May 2021

Retracing Bartók's footsteps: a statuesque world-tour

By Pierre Liscia-Beaurenaut

From Hungary to the world: the Bartók Spring International Arts Weeks

By Stephen Pritchard, 29 April 2021

We find out more about the vibrant local and international digital events planned for this festival celebrating the cultural riches of Hungary.

29 Apr 2021

From Hungary to the world: the Bartók Spring International Arts Weeks

By Stephen Pritchard