Scandals, Sense and Statistics

My top four stories for the weekend: 1) hotting up over oboes in Moscow, 2) Pogorelich is back, sort of, 3) a new prize for professional orchestral musicians, and 4) Norman Lebrecht's latest assault on the ACE - I have to put him straight on the subsidy figures for the four London orchestras... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3623

A little humility goes a long way

Several people wrote to me asking for a report on my chat with Helene Grimaud at the Institut Francais last weekend, so here it is. What lingers for me is the remarkable humility and down-to-earth good sense of this extraordinarily popular musician... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3622

Please don't eat the pianist...

Oleg Marshev, Prokofiev and Liszt endeavour to hold their own in the shadow of Vasily Petrenko. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3621

The Violin Viking

My interview with that great Dane Nikolaj Znaider is in the JC and you can read it here Lots about his philosophy of music and life, what it's like to play Kreisler's violin and why he is turning into a conductor... Enjoy!

D'Aranyi plays Vitali

A very special Friday Historical: Jelly d'Aranyi plays the Vitali Chaconne, recording from 1928. Really amazing. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3566

Five stars for Faure

My review of Steven Isserlis & co at the Wigmore Hall, plus a bit of good clean fun with silly stereotypes. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3564

Grimaud in conversation

Next Sunday afternoon I'm doing an open interview with Hélène Grimaud at the Institut Francais, South Kensington. Do come and join us! Kick-off is at 5pm (and we're talking in English). Here's a bit more about it, plus a nice pic of pianist and fuzzy friend: http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3563

Elgar for Remembrance

The centenary performance of the Elgar Violin Concerto the other night. Herein is enshrined the soul of...Sir Colin Davis. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3560

Please do not adjust your set....

...normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!

Strange tales from NY

Violinist,60, sues young artists' organisation for alleged age discrimination. How to get ahead in music in the 21st century, lesson 1. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3553

At the feet of Jonas Kaufmann

Kaufmann sang Die schoene Muellerin at the Wigmore Hall last night and I was unexpectedly there, right at the front... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3552