2006 CONTENTS

Articles published during the year 2006 are listed below in chronological order of publication, with the most recent at the top of the list:

• CD Spotlight. Vocal Artistry - Vivica Genaux sings Handel and Hasse, enjoyed by Maria Nockin. '... a wonderful trip back in time ...'


• Ask Alice - Dairyland and the baroque cross sign, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Focus on Loneliness - Music by Lera Auerbach and Shostakovich, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... unfailing virtuosity.'


• Ensemble. An Absorbing Day - Julian Jacobson reports on the fourteenth BPSE Beethoven Intercollegiate (Senior) Piano Competition


• CD Spotlight. Confronting Energy - Music played by the Meridian Arts Ensemble, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... the Kronos Quartet of brass ensembles?'


• Record Box. A Welcome Novelty - Seasonal music from Naxos, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - The Public Ear


• Beethoven's Ninth Solstice - A poem by Debra A Hoffmann


• Ensemble. A Very Unusual Evening - Monteverdi's 'L'incoronazione di Poppea', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - On anti-social behaviour, pounding heads and the occasion of the year, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Fluid Phrasing - A Christmas concert by the vocal ensemble 'Aitone', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Without Carols - Renaissance music for Christmas, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... endless web of glorious sound ...'


• Ensemble. Music in the Spacing of the Spheres - A spectacular version of Holst's 'The Planets' in Cleveland, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Deeply Involving - Emile de Roubaix and the Maraini Quartet play Mozart, Szymanowski and Brahms, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Splendidly Wide-ranging - The Sitwell Singers' Christmas concert, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - On neurotics, the clarinet and credit card cloning, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Life-affirming - Steven Schick's 'The Percussionist's Art', reviewed by Paul Sarcich


• Ensemble. Truly Moving - Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Fizzing Performances - The Derby Concert Orchestra and Chorale in Christmas mood, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Record Box. Meticulously Performed - Songs for children, reviewed by Anna L Franco


• Ensemble. Squeals of Delight - LA Opera's 'Hansel and Gretel', enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - On conversations within the orchestra, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Renewal and Revitalisation - Malcolm Miller enjoys the London Jewish Male Choir's 80th anniversary concert


• Ensemble. Slav Triumph - Malcolm Troup succumbs to the pzazz of the Burov/Miletic Duo


• Ensemble. Incisive Musicianship - 'The Marriage of Figaro' in Arizona, enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Energy and Exuberance - Music by Haydn, Karl Jenkins and Vaughan Williams, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - On teenage violinists and ... girls, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• DVD Spotlight. Sensuous Lyricism - Stravinsky's 'Le Rossignol', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... both wondrous and distracting.'


• A Radiant Performance - Ashley Wass in Derby, assessed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Zip and Sparkle? - The Munich Symphony Orchestra on tour, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Compelling Readings - Bartók's String Quartets in Ottawa, enjoyed by Bert Bailey


• Ensemble. Lovingly Shaped - André de Ridder and Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Resplendent Impact - Derby Bach Choir makes its contribution to the Mozart anniversary, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Power and Effervescence - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Transcendental Universality - Celebrating London's multi-ethnic pianism in the elect hands of Ivan Kiwuwa, Mishka Momen and Wu Qian, by Malcolm Troup


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh in convalescence


• Ensemble. Passionate Sympathy - Another take on Opera North's 'Peter Grimes', by Mike Wheeler


• Record Box. Noble and Poetic - Sequeira Costa plays Chopin, reviewed by Bill Newman


• Ensemble. A Glowing Performance - The Czech Philharmonic on tour, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. An Electrifying Production - Verdi's 'Rigoletto' from Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Expansive Romanticism - 'Madama Butterfly' from Long Island, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Something for Everyone - An evening with the Zemel Choir, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ask Alice - Judging judges, desperate cellists, and Al-Qaeda Christmas festivities, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• DVD Spotlight. Outlandish Curses - 'The Love of Three Oranges', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much applause for Prokofiev's imagination ...'


• Ensemble. An Entrancing Evening - Handel's 'Orlando' at Sadler's Wells, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• CD Spotlight. Spirited Playing - Piano music from Cuba, reviewed by Patric Standford. '... undoubted technical command ...'


• Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Puccini's 'La bohème' in New Hampshire, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Strong and Appealing - Poulenc's 'La voix humaine' at Opera North, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Bums on seats and heads in nooses, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Achingly Beautiful - Leila Josefowicz plays Shostakovich, recommended by Howard Smith. '... her tightrope assurance is breathtaking.'


• Ensemble. A Special Performance - Beethoven and Brahms from Pittsburgh, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Elegant Playing - An eclectic programme by Sinfonia Viva, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Lively Pace - Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor', enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Passion and Commitment - English National Opera's 'Jenufa', appreciated by Robert Hugill


• Ask Alice - On humming cellos, Indiana University Music School and the charisma bypass operation, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• DVD Spotlight. Safe Passage? - Mozart's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a disappointing monument ...'


• Ensemble. A Spectacular Portrayal - Opera North's 'Peter Grimes', reviewed by Patric Standford


• Record Box. Gentle Chromaticism - Music by Orlando Gibbons, reviewed by Patric Standford


• CD Spotlight. Individuality and Variety - Groove-oriented chamber music by Gernot Wolfgang, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... highly professional performances ...'


• Record Box. Delightful Clarity - Mahler's Symphony No 7 played by Staatskapelle Berlin, recommended by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - From heaven to hell, damnation to dalmatians, and on the dumbing down of classical music, with Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Vividly Dramatic - Monteverdi's 'Orfeo', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• CD Spotlight. Unfamiliar Territory - Mike Hall plays baroque music on alto trombone, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... a voyage of discovery ...'


• Ensemble. Mature Technique - Alina Pogostkina with Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra, appreciated by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Quietly Compelling - The Coull Quartet plays Haydn, Shostakovich and Beethoven, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Oh, Those Verdi Choruses! - by Teresa Verde


• Ensemble. Lively Pacing - Verdi's 'Macbeth' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ask Alice - 'Get insured and move on' is the advice this week from Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Light and Sprightly - Handel's 'Theodora', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Sandals and Yoghurt? - Bach at the Berlin Philharmonie, reviewed by Ciarán McAuley


• Ensemble. Strong Performances - 'Jephte' and 'Dido' from English Touring Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Captivating Delicacy - Igor Tchetuev plays Tchaikovsky, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Great Credit - Massenet's 'Manon' at LA Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Sparkle and Polish - Robin Zebaida plays piano rarities, enjoyed by Bill Newman. '... musical appeal becomes immediate ...'


• Ask Alice - with the still slightly testy Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Three Premières - Malcolm Miller applauds the latest concert of music by Julian Dawes


• DVD Spotlight. Virtuosity and Style - La petite musique de Marie-Antoinette, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... supreme vocal skill ...'


• Ensemble. Simplicity and Directness - Malcolm Miller assesses Opera Project's 'Don Giovanni', currently on tour


• Ensemble. Revisiting with Pleasure - Summer at Longborough Festival Opera, enjoyed by Roderic Dunnett


• Record Box. A Fascinating Programme - Joseph Gramley plays music for percussion, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - without Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Record Box. Lions and Lionesses - Romantic music for piano and orchestra, reviewed by George Balcombe


• Drive and Energy - Andreas Boyde's recent Derby recital, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Spontaneity and Immediacy - Martino Tirimo celebrates Mozart's 250th Anniversary, enjoyed by Bill Newman. '... outstanding performances.'


• CD Spotlight. A Curious Recital - Paul Calistus-Ashley plays Poulenc, Schubert and Dett, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... verve and sensitivity.'


• CD Spotlight. Also Sprach Richard Strauss - 'An Alpine Symphony', enjoyed by George Balcombe. '... beguiling music.'


• Ask Alice - On cello strings and flaky painters, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Imagination


• DVD Spotlight. Much Resonance - Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in Ramallah, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... an orchestra of first-class accomplishment.'


• Ensemble. Commitment and Energy - Derby Cathedral Choir sings Mozart, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Sumptuous Display - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at LA Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. A Modern Style - Pimlico Opera's 'The Barber of Seville', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. A masterclass in performing Mozart - A concert by Stephen Hough, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra delighted Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - On straining the vocal cords, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Strong Narrative Flow - A new book about Monteverdi's musical dramas, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• DVD Spotlight. Teeming Stage Business - Rossini's 'La Gazzetta', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a mismatch of music and action ...'


• CD Spotlight. Clara's Karma? - 150 years' postponement in publication of Clara Schumann's piano sonata, investigated by Jennifer Paull. '... Karen Kushner brings welcomed light ...'


• Ensemble. Satisfying the Quest - 'The Nightingale and the Rose' by Oliver Rudland, reviewed by Robert Anderson


• Ensemble. A Sizzling Account - 'The Tempest' by Thomas Adès, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Varied Influences - Music from Indiana University Southeast, enjoyed by Patric Standford. '... a superb addition to any collection.'


• Ask Alice - On Steven Isserlis, Agnes Poirier and surrender monkeys, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Infallible Beauty - Martino Tirimo's Mozart from Cadogan Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman


• CD Spotlight. Uncommon Singularity - Choral music by Lepo Sumera, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... performances with these forces are undoubtedly authoritative ...'


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Competition


• Ensemble. Dramatic Punch - Richard Strauss's 'Salomé', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Pungent Sonorities - Arthur Honegger's 'Le Roi David', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - On cellos for the needy, Schwarzkopf and replicating genius, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• A Personal Stake - '150 Years of Opera in Chicago', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall


• CD Spotlight. Shining Through - Saxophone music by M Zachary Johnson, reviewed by Anna Franco. 'The performers show their total dedication ...'


• Gossip and Rebellion - Robert Hugill writes about the history of the first performance of Bizet's 'Carmen'


• Ensemble. Glowingly Realised - Robert Manning, David Johnson and Tom Corfield share an organ recital at Derby Cathedral, appreciated by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. A Light Touch - Mozart's 'The Magic Flute', enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. A Chinese Wunderkind - Nine-year-old Niu Niu's Wigmore Hall début, admired by Malcolm Troup


• Ask Alice - Carbon music, Cretans and landsnails, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Apropos 'le deluge' - A book about Shostakovich, reviewed by George Balcombe


• CD Spotlight. A Belated Flowering - Six-part consorts by John Jenkins, appreciated by Malcolm Tattersall. '... a wonderful group.'


• Masterly and Musical - An organ recital by Adrian Lucas, appreciated by Tom Corfield


• Ensemble. Tanglewood and Beyond - The sounds of summer in the Berkshires, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen


• Ensemble. An Oft Told Tale - Santa Fe Opera's 'Cendrillon', praised by Maria Nockin


• Record box. Satisfying Breadth - Chamber music by Hummel, appreciated by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On pianists, conductors, truth and goldfish, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Rhythmic Bounce - Peter Gould at the organ of Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. A Virtuoso Performance - Adolphe Adam's 'Giselle', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... irresistible appeal'


• DVD Spotlight. Maximum Sensuality - Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... suggests Tristan and Isolde ...'


• DVD Spotlight. A Question of Taste - Béjart's 'Nutcracker', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... bears little relation to Tchaikovsky's music ...'


• Ensemble. Somewhat Controversial - 'Carmen' in Santa Fe, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Record Box. Hypnotically Repetitious - Chamber music by Chris Lastovicka, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On Sicilian drivers and culture vultures, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. In Nimble Fashion - Ohio Light Opera's 'The Queen's Lace Handkerchief', reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• CD Spotlight. Heightened Intimacy - Russian Romantic songs, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... magically touching musicianship ...'


• Ensemble. Intelligent and Cogent - Julian Jacobson attended the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Celebrity Festival


• CD Spotlight. Superbly Measured - Music by Haskell Small and Mussorgsky, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... indisputably fine pianism ...'


• Record Box. Enterprising Recordings - Music for piano and orchestra, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Old-time virtuosity stages a comeback - Daniel Grimwood at St Martin-in-the-Fields, reviewed by Malcolm Troup


• Bold and Forthright - Marcus Huxley played at Derby Cathedral, and Mike Wheeler was there


• Amazing and Dynamic - An organ recital by Martin Baker, reviewed by Tony Westerman


• Just Too Funny - A backstage view of the orchestra, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Bubbling Energy - An organ recital by Malcolm Riley, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Fine Indeed - Stokowski symphonic transcriptions, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an unqualified testament to Stokowski's magic.'


• Record Box. Pleasant Sounds - Music by Karen Amrhein, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Thirty-six cellos, crazy musical terms, guilty pleasures and musical choices, with deputy agony aunt Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Flair and Fidelity - A concert by the Aroha String Quartet, enjoyed by Howard Smith


• CD Spotlight. An Audacious Performer - A recital by Mikhail Zemtsov, reviewed by Howard Smith


• Ensemble. Universal Truth - Two productions from Ohio Light Opera, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• CD Spotlight. Profound Commitment - Jenny Lin recovers buried historical treasure, appreciated by Gordon Rumson


• CD Spotlight. A Personal Style - Beth Anderson's 'Quilt Music', reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... true, effective simplicity ...'


• Ensemble. A Surreal Evening - Mike Wheeler reports from the Buxton Festival


• Ask Alice - Whilst Alice is away on vacation, Kelly Ferjutz fields replies to her correspondence as Classical Music Agony Aunt


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Analysis


• DVD Spotlight. Simple Attractions - Berg's 'Wozzeck', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... quite convincing enough ...'


• The Bayreuth Experience - Souvenirs of a festival in transition, by Malcolm Miller


• Profile. A Changing Landscape - Down with the bow and up with the baton - Howard Smith talks to Evgeny Bushkov


• CD Spotlight. Valuable Explorations - 'My Dear Siegfried' - Despatches from No Man's Land, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... as much affinity with trance/techno as with modernist art music ...'


• A Name to Remember! - Mikhail Shilyaev at St Martin-in-the-Fields, reviewed by Malcolm Troup


• Ask Alice - 'Never in the history of ... drivel', and 'soon-to-be ruler of ... Orpington', Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh quotes reviews, advises cellists and plays tennis


• A Terrific Introduction - A guide to Mozart's instrumental music, recommended by Ron Bierman


• Noble and Moving - An organ recital by Andrew Nethsingha, appreciated by Mike Wheeler


• Four Strings to his Violin - Many strings to his bow ... Howard Smith reports on Marat Bisengaliev's third tour of New Zealand


• Ensemble. Running the Gauntlet - Malcolm Troup, one of the judges of the 30th anniversary 'Gina Bachauer' International Artists Competition, reports on the recent finals in Salt Lake City


• Book review: Eloquent Insights - A listeners' guide to the music of Haydn, reviewed by Anna Franco


• Ensemble. Tonkori in the Park - World music at the City of London Festival, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ask Alice - Tricky Dicky and the ushers, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• DVD Spotlight. Irresistibly Haunting - Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Franz Welser-Möst conducts admirably ...'


• In Festive Mood - René Koering, Artistic Director of the Festival de Radio France et Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon 2006, talks to Roderic Dunnett


• Ensemble. All Good Things ... - Malcolm Tattersall's final report from the 2006 Australian Festival of Chamber Music


• The Big Statement - An organ recital by John Keys, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Wit and Originality - Garsington Opera presents 'The Philosophers' Stone', reviewed by Roderic Dunnett


• Ensemble. In Memory - Kelly Ferjutz remembers Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's visit to Cleveland


• Ensemble. Sunshine and Stars - The Australian Festival of Chamber Music 2006 continues, and Malcolm Tattersall sends a second report


• Ensemble. Music in Captivity - Malcolm Miller was at a lecture recital by Ronald Senator, with Teresa Gobel and Miriam Brickman


• Ensemble. Touching Contributions - A concert by the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Respect and Understanding - A CD celebrating 300 years of Charpentier, reviewed by Peter Howell. 'The performance is excellent throughout.'


• High Jinx and Haute Couture - On the anniversary of Cathy Berberian's birth, Jennifer Paull investigates the legendary musician's extraordinary talents in humouristic performance, and her equally astounding wardrobe


• Ensemble. The Journey Begins - Malcolm Tattersall is at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music 2005


• A Force to Reckon With - Malcolm Miller enjoys a Wigmore Hall recital by the young Bulgarian pianist Vesselin Stanev


• Ensemble. A Mythic Story - 'Nixon in China', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Elegance and Agility - Bach, Arnold and Haydn from Sinfonia Viva in Derby, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Fizzing with Energy - The Sitwell Singers celebrate a 40th anniversary, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - When the ushers meet the musicians, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Record box. Grandeur and Impulsiveness - Joshua Pierce's recording of Brahms' second piano concerto, reviewed by Alice McVeigh


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Folklore


• DVD Spotlight. Quicksilver Music - Rossini's 'L'occasione fa il ladro', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a performance of bubbling vitality ...'


• Appropriate Temperament - Gordon Rumson replies to Patric Standford's article on keys and the decline of tonality


• Ensemble. Enchanting as Ever - Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Melodic Felicity - Salon music by Katharine Parker, reviewed by Robert Hugill. 'Edwards has a lovely soprano voice ...'


• Ask Alice - Tennis, appearances and more tennis, for Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Contrasting Styles - CDs of medieval music, reviewed by Rex Harley. '... delightful recording ...'


• CD Spotlight. Textures which suit - Music for flute, clarinet and piano, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... unusual, enjoyable ...'


• Ensemble. Taking Comedy Seriously - 'L'Elisir d'Amore' at Grange Park Opera, appreciated by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Vocally and Visually Spectacular - Maria Nockin at the première of Goldenthal's opera 'Grendel, Transcendence of the Great Big Bad'


• Ensemble. Piano meets Sitar - Malcolm Miller at a CD launch of Peter Feuchtwanger's exotic piano music


• Ask Alice - Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh's classical music humour column is clear as a mountain stream, and guaranteed free from tamagotchis, tennis and tuba trios


• Ensemble. Opera to Gogol at - Rimsky-Korsakov's 'May Night' at Garsington Opera, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett


• DVD Spotlight. Cruelty Scorned - Die Entführung aus dem Serail, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a final curtain meriting maximum applause.'


• Ensemble. Fluid Performance - The Chelsea Opera Group's 'I Puritani', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• A Touch of Authenticity - A recital by Karolina Marchlewska, reviewed by Tau Wey


• Ensemble. Important Revelations - A gala concert presented by Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Joyous and Well-paced - A semi-staged Verdi's 'Falstaff' in Cleveland, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh is proud to be with the English Symphony Orchestra


• Ensemble. Wonderfully Enjoyable - Massenet's 'Thaïs', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• DVD Spotlight. Real Water, Real Music - Handel's Water Music: Recreating a Royal Spectacular, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... as authentic as we'll see and hear without a time machine.'


• Ensemble. Engulfing Vision - A concert at New York City's Hunter College, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Gripping Stuff - Handel's 'Ariodante' at English National Opera, enjoyed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Sparkle and Communicability - Joseph Horovitz's 80th birthday celebration, appreciated by Malcolm Miller


• Ensemble. Energy and Commitment - A concert by Liza Grossman and Cleveland's Contemporary Youth Orchestra, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ask Alice - STDs, tamagotchis and rejection letters, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Full of Life - Compositions by M Zachary Johnson premièred at Steinway Hall, reviewed by Anna Franco


• DVD Spotlight. An Exciting Performance - Verdi's 'La Traviata', enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... result of admirable cooperation between the Zürich stage and pit.'


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Shining youth


• Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Maria Nockin was at San Diego Opera's 'The Magic Flute'


• Ensemble. A Pianistic Phenomenon - Malcolm Troup was at Qian Wu's recent London South Bank recital


• Ask Alice - Conducting fellowships and big breaks for tenors, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - The Budapest Symphony Orchestra on tour in the UK, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Truly Impressive - Sara Botkin's one-woman vocal disc, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... an attractive lyric soprano voice and a wonderful sense of line ...'


• Ensemble. All Deception - Shostakovich's opera 'The Nose', enjoyed by David Wilkins


• Ensemble. World Class Chamber Music - Malcolm Troup on the recent BPSE chamber music masterclass and competition in London


• Ensemble. Simple but Effective - 'Tolomeo' at the London Handel Festival, enjoyed by Robert Hugill


• Ask Alice - Correspondence between Tina and Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• DVD Spotlight. Moving and Powerful - Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess', appreciated by Robert Anderson. 'The work is in the safest possible hands ...'


• Ensemble. Magnificent Wagner - Lorin Maazel's orchestral transcription of 'The Ring', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Emotionally devastating - Stephen Sondheim's 'Into the Woods' impresses Mike Wheeler


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Wondering


• Ensemble. A Must See - Maria Nockin was at Opera Pacific for Verdi's 'Aïda'


• CD Spotlight. Melodic Talent - Music by Nick Davis, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... a wide palette of colours ...'


• Ask Alice - On fainting pianists and escaping from a career as a violinist, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Precise and Lucid - M Owen Lee's book 'The Great Instrumental Works', enthusiastically recommended by Howard Smith


• CD Spotlight. Widely Divergent Composers - Music for violin and piano, reviewed by George Balcombe. '... clear and consistent ...'


• Superb Writing - Kelly Ferjutz enjoys the tale of Luciano Pavarotti's rise to fame


• Ensemble. Sparkling Performances - Yvonne Kenny and Iain Burnside at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Praiseworthy Style - Maria Nockin was at San Diego Opera for Handel's 'Julius Caesar in Egypt'


• Ensemble. The music of Julian Dawes - Malcolm Miller was at the first performance of 'Eleven Hebrew Folksongs'


• Ask Alice - Announcing a new book, that is and yet isn't by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Tremendous Energy - Kurt Weill's 'Arms and the Cow', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Powerful Forces - Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms from the Navarra Quartet and Simon Lane, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. Terrifying Intensity - Puccini's 'Turandot', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... brimful of imagination ...'


• Ensemble. A Remarkable Achievement - Stephen Barlow's cathedral opera 'King', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Shimmering Harmonies - San Diego Opera's 'Carmen' delighted Maria Nockin


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - School music


• Ask Alice - On Anna Magdalena and Johann Sebastian, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Haitink's Beethoven - Malcolm Miller was at the second of three April concerts at London's Barbican Hall


• Ensemble. A Rousing Send-off - Nicholas Kok's last concert as Principal Conductor of Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. One Generation 4 Another - Malcolm Miller was at the Lord's Taverner's charity pop concert at London's Royal Albert Hall


• CD Spotlight. A Fascinating Set - Opera recordings conducted by Stokowski, reviewed by Robert Hugill. 'It leaves one wishing that they'd recorded more.'


• Ensemble. Consummate Style - Robert Hugill is won over by English National Opera's 'Orfeo'


• Ensemble. Close to Perfection - Arizona Opera's 'The Flying Dutchman', enjoyed by Maria Nockin


• CD Spotlight. Musical Narrative - Works by Mark Applebaum, reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... complex in surface and generally rhapsodic in feel ...'


• Ensemble. Breathtaking Pianism - Malcolm Miller was at Ian Hobson's Wigmore Hall piano recital


• Ask Alice - On the relative merits of Bach and Wagner, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Eclectic Influences - Music by Peter Blauvelt, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'There is some real passion in the sonata ...'


• DVD Spotlight. An Eloquent Performance - 'Adriana Lecouvreur', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a chorus and orchestra beautifully responsive to the lyrical nuances of Cilea's score.'


• Ensemble. 'I wandered through Theresienstadt' - Malcolm Miller was at a Terezin concert on the eve of Holocaust Day 2006


• Faust and the 'Free World' - Madeline Jenkins Millard tells the tale of Tresa Waggoner and the Bennett Six


• Record box. Impressive Refinement - Handel Italian cantatas performed by Arcadia, and reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On goldfish and landsnails, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Music for the People - Amanda von Goetz talks to young violinist and composer William Harvey


• Ensemble. Inspiring and Memorable - Handel's oratorio 'Solomon', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. A Rare Treat - A New Jersey 'Magic Flute', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Profile. The Hungarian Nightingale - A meeting with Gisela Doráti, better known as 'Gizi', by Bill Newman


• Life's Fulfilment - Bill Newman recalls the affection he felt for the great Hungarian conductor-composer Antal Doráti, who would have been 100 years old today


• The Designer Touch - Tonina Doráti and opera production, as explained to Bill Newman


• Ask Alice - On oboe-playing daughters-in-law and tuba careers, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Joan Tower about her new piece 'Chamber Dance'


• Ensemble. Spell-binding - Venetian Baroque music from The Derbyshire Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• DVD Spotlight. Rigidly Puritanical - 'Madama Butterfly', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a strong yet tender account of Puccini's cunning score.'


• CD Spotlight. Something for Everyone - A new CD from The 5 Browns, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... charming, vivacious, passionate and gorgeously performed.'


• Ensemble. Expansively Romantic - Teatro Lirico d'Europa's 'La Traviata', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Taming the lion - Jabez Dolotz talks to British conductor Sir Henry Collard-Barker about experiences in and out of the concert hall


• Ask Alice - On playing the violin, the viola, the tuba and jobs, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - What's in a name?


• Stylistic Variety - Passiontide music sung by the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Baton Magician? - David Stahl in conversation with Tess Crebbin about Bernstein, Mahler and German-language opera


• Ensemble. Admirably Convincing - English Touring Opera's 'Tosca', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Fascinating Fusions - Ladino music from Jewish Music Central marks the UK launch of the book 'The Sephardic Songbook', reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ensemble. Opulently Staged - Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor', reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Recent Releases - Books, paintings and music at a writers' event, reviewed by Anna Franco


• Ask Alice - On the perils of tendonitis, and the return after a long absence of Mrs Gloria Stoatgobbler, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Precision and Purity - Recordings from Estonia, reviewed by Rex Harley


• Ensemble. Arresting Playing - A recital by Althea Ifeka and Katherine May, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Energy and Style - A concert by the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen


• What makes a conductor? - 'Conductors in Conversation' by Jeannine Wagar, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Ensemble. Radiantly fresh - Emma Kirkby and the Derby Choral Union, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Delicacy and Tenderness - The Russian State Philharmonic in Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. To the Manner Born - Marcella Crudeli's recital at London's Leighton House, enjoyed by Malcolm Troup


• Ask Alice - A cry from the back desks of the violins, answered by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Profile. Devotion to performance - Ted Kendall talks to young violinist Julia Sakharova


• DVD Spotlight. Impressively musical - 'La clemenza di Tito' reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Sylvain Cambreling in sensitive command ...'


• Ensemble. Fire and Flexibility - Verdi's 'Attila', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• The Lion and the Lamb - A Tau Wey piano recital, appreciated by Malcolm Troup


• Ensemble. Exhilarating Comedy - 'L'Italiana in Algeri' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Profile. Tête-à-Tête - Bill Newman talks to British pianist Mark Bebbington


• Ask Alice - On Wallace, Gromit, Sir Edward and Aunt Alice, beta-blockers, hate mail, were-rabbits and Americans, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Simply Stunning - A performance of Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius' impresses Mike Wheeler


• Fire and Energy - Matthew Coorey and the RLPO in Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Witty and Entertaining - 'Sir John in Love', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• The Mighty Venetian - Tess Crebbin talks to Charles Beare about the master instrument maker Domenico Montagnana


• Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Judith Lang Zaimont about her Symphony for Wind Orchestra in Three Scenes


• Ensemble. An acquired taste - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in Munich, by Tess Crebbin and Sissy von Kotzebue


• Ensemble. Dueling Divas - One-act operas by Mozart and Salieri, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Vivacious Energy - A meeting with Papa Nuzzo, by Ted Kendall


• Ask Alice - Concert reviews, violins, cellos on 'eBay' and mathematical problems for schoolchildren, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to John Harbison about his new Concerto for Bass Viol


• DVD Spotlight. Ultimate Destruction - Verdi's 'Macbeth', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much excitement ...'


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Mozart


• Ensemble. pppp or ppppp? - Valentyn Silvestrov at the Pinothek der Moderne, Munich, reviewed by Sissy von Kotzebue


• Ensemble. Imaginative Artistry - 'Madama Butterfly' in Los Angeles, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Velvety Textures - Malcolm Miller enjoys Voces8 in London's new Foundling Museum Lunchtime Series


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh ponders on the purpose of concert reviews, and fields questions on tamagotchi and ice skating


• Ensemble. Inner warmth - Bellini's 'Norma' in Denver, appreciated by Maria Nockin


• Ensemble. Worth waiting for - Phyllida Lloyd's production of Verdi's 'Macbeth', reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. Deeply satisfying - A piano recital by Jane Ford, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Mozart viewpoints - Bill Newman reports on the 250th anniversary


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - A genuine discipline?


• CD Spotlight. Creative Tensions - A double CD from the Fry Street Quartet, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... excellent by any standards ...'


• Record box. An appealing programme - Mahler, Schumann and Britten, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - Half-term problems for Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• DVD Spotlight. Divided loyalties - Massenet's 'Werther', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... much is ravishingly beautiful ...'


• Ensemble. Effectively shaped - Bizet's 'The Pearl Fishers', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• CD Spotlight. Touching Hearts - Yale Strom's 'Café Jew Zoo', reviewed by Ioana Osoianu. '... beautifully sung by Elizabeth Schwartz.'


• Ensemble. Accomplished Stagecraft - 'The Barber of Seville' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Record box. Colourfully set - Choral music by William McClelland, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Friends for fat people and plum roles for flautists, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• CD Spotlight. Great charm - Venetian lute music, reviewed by Peter Howell. '... sensitive playing on a good instrument in real acoustics ...'


• Ensemble. Physical and Spiritual - Music on the theme of journeys, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Emotional claustrophobia - A concert performance of Strauss's 'Salomé', reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ensemble. Fresh and Involving - Lunchtime jazz from the Georgia Mancio Quartet, reviewed by Malcolm Miller


• Ensemble. A Balm on the Ears - Handel's 'Semele' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin


• Record box. Very enterprising - Music by Guillaume Connesson, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - On the perils of Baroque dating, teaching adults and slimming, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Capable and entertaining - 'Benvenuto Cellini' in Strasbourg, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• DVD Spotlight. High jinks - Rameau's 'Les Paladins', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a wealth of fine singing.'


• Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - Composers


• Ensemble. Plea for peace - Vaughan Williams's 'Dona Nobis Pacem' in Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen


• Ensemble. An outstanding recital - The Denali Piano Trio, reviewed by Mike Wheeler


• Ask Alice - On earplugs, violinists and kids' names, with Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Ensemble. Flair and momentum - Malcolm Miller enjoys a highlight of the BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Mozart Quartet Series


• CD Spotlight. Cuts and Dissolves - Music by Turnage, Rihm and Benjamin, reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... a well-planned listening experience ...'


• CD Spotlight. Peking order - Bartók, Bernstein and Gershwin from the Pekinel Sisters, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... positively 'aerodynamic' in its clarity, audacity and panache.'


• A straight line career path - Conductor Kenneth Montgomery talks to Maria Nockin about his life, his music and upcoming events


• Record box. Crisp performance - Michel Dalberto plays Mozart Piano Concertos, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - Lighter in body and mind, Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh is still having problems ...


• Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Joshua Feltman about his new work, 'The Ties that Bind'


• DVD Spotlight. Confined to the shades - Monteverdi's 'Orfeo', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Stephen Stubbs is to be congratulated on an imaginative realisation ...'


• Three Questions before the First Night - Carson Cooman talks to Jennifer Higdon about her new Trombone Concerto


• Ensemble. Vivid form - 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill


• Ensemble. The devil is in the details - Schumann's 'Scenes from Faust' in Cleveland, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz


• CD Spotlight. A new simplicity - The Requiem by Osvaldas Balakauskas, reviewed by Carson Cooman. '... a deeply felt and tremendously communicative piece.'


• Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh is in a very strange mood this week ...


• Ensemble. Highly promising - Mei-Ting Sun and the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen


• CD Spotlight. Thrilling impetus - José Serebrier conducts Glazunov, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... the Scottish players bring appropriate breadth and commitment ...'


• Ensemble. Assured and confident - James Gaffigan conducts the Cleveland Orchestra, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz


• Legendary generosity - Remembering Constance Keene (1921-2005): an appreciation, by John Bell Young


• Record box. Enviable craftsmanship - 21st century Latvian symphonic music, reviewed by Patric Standford


• Ask Alice - New Year letters from fellow cellos, fielded by Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh


• Editorial musings with Basil Ramsey - Please read this


• CD Spotlight. Bitter strength - Orchestral music by Benjamin Britten, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... outstanding performances.'


• Record box. A well-planned introduction - Orchestral music by Ukrainian composers, reviewed by Carson Cooman


• DVD Spotlight. Chill lyricism - Prokofiev's 'Ivan the Terrible', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'Vello Pähn and the orchestra make a marvellous thing of Prokofiev's score ...'


• DVD Spotlight. Radiant and subtle - Strauss's 'Capriccio', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Renée Fleming ... (sang) like an angel throughout ...'