Kissin tells

The JC has news that Evgeny Kissin has written a letter to the BBC accusing it of an anti-Israel bias...a few thoughts, from him and from me http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2591

Where's the CD Cemetary

Grumpy thoughts from the annual Christmas Clearout in our front room... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2588

Merry Everything from JDCMB

Merry Seasonals, folks! Here's Dudley Moore to raise a smile. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2583

About Time, Too

Today The Times took a leaf out of my 'Bog off, Bruckner' idea and got arts figures to pick the classics they hate. Here's a little response. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2582

JDCMB GINGER STRIPE AWARDS 2009

It's the Winter Solstice and it's time for the annual JDCMB Ginger Stripe Awards Ceremony! http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2579

Rodolfo the Red-Nosed Tenor

Piotr Beczala drops out of Boheme opening night half way through. Why do singers never have 'normal' colds, only 'severe' ones? http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2574

Nut, cracked

The Baryshnikov Nutcracker from American Ballet Theatre, 1977, starring the man himself with the glorious Gelsey Kirkland. Watch and marvel. Happy Friday Historical Christmas! http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2569

It's All About the Music

How often do you hear opera directors say that? Meet one who does: the marvellous John Copley. Here's my interview with him, via What's On Stage: http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2545

Any Answers...

Here are the answers to your questions, called in last week. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2524

Friday historical: meet Arthur Rubinstein

Interview with Rubinstein for his 90th birthday, film in 2 parts. Unmissable: an inspirational, marvellous man. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2504

A Decade to Remember

A little overview of the past 10 years... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2502

Any Questions?

I'm putting out a call for reader questions - please drop 'em into the comments box at the Standpoint site by Sunday evening and I will do my best to answer them next week. Questions should be polite, reasonable and pertinent, please! and posted to Standpoint via the link, not on Blogger. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2497

Prelude, Fugue and Whiffs

Meet the phenomenon of the Concert Stinker. Or, if you can avoid him, don't... http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2494

Sad stuff,,,and cheering stuff too

The sad stuff involves my two pieces in the Indy this week - a look at Chopin's thoroughly nasty side out today, and a review of the worst piano recital I've heard this year, out yesterday. The cheering stuff involves two great concerts coming up tomorrow in London and Leeds, and a wonderful Friday Historical video showing Cziffra playing Liszt's Gnomenreigen. Personally I'm off to ballet class. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2493

Fun Time?

My pal wrote an article about how someone criticised him for his "self-indulgent" hobby: playing the piano! What is the world coming to? Some angry words, plus a bit about Roger Scruton. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/2492

Xmas presents...

If you fancy giving a signed copy of one of my novels as an Xmas present, I can do 'em. Paperbacks of all four available, plus the Hungarian Dances CD and hardbacks of 'Rites of Spring'. Email me for details or tweet to @jessicaduchen ...