A selection of M&V '2004' articles

DVD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - Ballets choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj, reviewed by Howard Smith. 'Apart from the galvanised buckets it's all effectively eye-catching ...'

DVD Spotlight. A Modern Orfeo - Music by Elodie Lauten, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... a pleasing half-hour chamber opera ...'

CD Spotlight. Striking Power - Leslie Howard plays Rachmaninov, heard by Howard Smith. '... a staggering technique.'

Ensemble. Towards a Better World - Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra are currently on a world tour. Giuseppe Pennisi listens to their concert in Rome

Ensemble. Highly Atmospheric - Massenet's 'Werther', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. New Ideas - Malcolm Miller enjoys the Meitar Ensemble in concert and reports on the conference 'Art Musics of Israel'

CD Spotlight. Sovereign Advocacy - Haydn, Hummel, Leopold Mozart and Neruda trumpet concertos, recommended by Howard Smith. '... expect nothing but the best ...'

CD Spotlight. Instinctive Artistry - Jill Crossland plays Mozart and Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... a distinctive, beautifully considered performance.'

Ensemble. Unique and Moving - Mahler's Fifth Symphony - a self-metamorphosis from grief to ecstatic energy, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Surrealist in Language - The homogeny of Jonathan Harvey, investigated by Jennifer Paull. '... superbly interpreted ...'

Ensemble. Beautifully Phrased - Los Angeles Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', welcomed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Hugely Satisfying - As New Zealand arts funding strikes a sour note, Howard Smith listens to the Vector Wellington Orchestra

Ensemble. Neatly Balanced - A City Lit music gala, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. A True Dynamo - Lawrence Budmen listens to French conductor Ludovic Morlot, in concert with Jennifer Koh and the New World Symphony