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‘It is impossible to recall him without smiling’: Simon Rattle on Alfred Brendel | Alfred Brendel | The Guardian
The conductor first heard Brendel as a schoolboy. He was to become his cherished friend, inspirational collaborator and valued mentor for many decades. Simon Rattle remembers the great pianist’s wit, wisdom – and a particular pair of scissors
Berlioz and Ravel album review – his orchestra is responsive to Mäkelä’s every move | Classical music | The Guardian
It may be missing that edge-of-your-seat excitement it had at last summer’s Proms, but Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique is full of colour and impact, and the energy keeps fizzing on Ravel’s La Valse
A Visit to Friends/The Gildas Quartet review – Colin Matthews’s luminous new opera opens Aldeburgh in fine style | Classical music | The Guardian
With a Chekhov-inspired libretto by William Boyd, this ‘opera within an opera’ had an excellent cast and a lucid staging. Another brand new work by Colin Matthews – his vivid Quartet No 6 – featured the following morning
Keys to success: the 2025 Van Cliburn piano competition, the instrument’s Olympics | Classical music | The Guardian
One of the world’s most prestigious and intensive musical competitions took over downtown Fort Worth these past few weeks. Will its winner prove to be another Yunchan Lim-style sensation?
Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Winter Words (arr Holloway), etc album review – confirms Gardner’s status as an outstanding conductor of Britten | Classical music | The Guardian
The first recording of Robin Holloway’s imaginative orchestration of the song cycle Winter Words is fascinating, and completes a superb new disc of Britten’s music
Look north: composer Gavin Higgins on his new song cycle celebrating northerness | Classical music | The Guardian
From the high energy and high rises of Manchester to the wild beauties of the moors and mountains, the north of England has enriched and inspired Gavin Higgins. His newest work explores the idea – and the sounds – of being northern
Voces8 review – agile and poised vocal group celebrate 20 years, with a little help from their friends | Classical music | The Guardian
The choir’s birthday concert focused mainly on 20th and 21st-century music with a contemplative bent. Joined in the second half by members old and potentially new, and also the BBC Singers, the sound was thrilling
Ligeti: Violin and Piano Concertos, etc album review – As always, Faust’s performance is perceptive and immaculate | Classical music | The Guardian
These fresh and original concertos revealed the full power of Ligeti’s new musical language; Isabelle Faust and Jean-Frederic Neuburger give accomplished and polished accounts of both<br>
Furtwängler: Symphony No 2 album review – conductor’s own massive work has real curiosity value | Classical music | The Guardian
One of the 20th century’s greatest conductors, Wilhelm Furtwängler, also composed; this, his second symphony, is arguably his finest achievement, but it is unmemorable and feels predictable
From Van Gogh to Superman: Keep cool with our guide to the summer’s best arts and entertainment | Culture | The Guardian
From a very hungry crocodile to some equally famished zombies, a superstar Compton rapper to a Smallville superhero: our critics choose the eye-opening arts events that will dazzle you over the next few months
Cassie Kinoshi x Ensemble intercontemporain review – vivid and anarchic, new music programme full of thrills | Classical music | The Guardian
A memorable work by Hannah Kendall and Cassie Kinoshi’s [Untitled] – featuring virtuoso turntabling and choreography - were paired with Boulez’s visionary Sur Incises, all conducted by rising star Nicolò Umberto Foron
‘I wanted to make people dance, or cry, or puke’: Marc Ribot, the wildcard sideman for Tom Waits, Robert Plant and more | Music | The Guardian
He started as a jazz guitarist making Barbie albums on the side, and has ended up on over 500 releases. From bebop with Elton John to Americana with Alison Krauss, Ribot recalls the richest of careers