"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

Glyndebourne, the Movie

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

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

Bennett play about Britten & Auden

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

Sad news from Bosnia

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...

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...

...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

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