ICMA for the Kuss Quartet

"Stylistic confidence and gripping expressiveness": The Kuss Quartet receives one of the coveted International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) for its first recording of two works by Ernst Gernot Klussmann.

The jury's statement reads: "The Kuss Quartet – and Péter Nagy in the quintet – moves through this music and all its mood changes with stylistic confidence and gripping expressiveness. Their interpretation has breath and tension, drama and intensity, but does not neglect lyricism when required."

©Parlophone Records Ltd / Roland Breitschuh

IN CONVERSATION

We talked to Mariam Batsashvili in 2017 – at a particularly exciting time in her career.

IN CONVERSATION

In conversation with Jeffrey Arlo Brown, Mark Andre discussed teachers and companions, his German-French heritage and the aesthetics of fragility.

IN CONVERSATION

Brad Lubman’s official title at the Grafenegg Festival 2017 was “only” Composer-in-Residence. However, at Schloss Grafenegg, the many facets of his musical life were on display.

In 2016, the Bochumer Symphoniker and their long-standing Music Director Steven Sloane celebrated a milestone with the opening of their long-awaited new home, the Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr.

IN CONVERSATION

Ahead of Antje Weithaas' round birthday in 2016, we spoke to her about her multi-faceted career as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher, and why she is always looking for something new.

"Music is simply the most beautiful and fulfilling part of my life", Tabea Zimmermann told us in autumn 2016 on why she is celebrating her 50th birthday with a concert.

In 2016, the GrauSchumacher Piano Duo paid homage to Busoni’s visionary spirit.

IN CONVERSATION

Toshio Hosokawa about his opera Stilles Meer and the 2011 Fukushima catastrophe.

Vanishing notes: Toshio Hosokawa‘s speech at the MozartLabor

Encounters and Reflection: Jens Joneleit in Russia

A drama of salvation: Toshio Hosokawa’s opera Matsukaze

Feedback for conductors: Steven Sloane and the International Conducting Academy Berlin

kwmm consulting: Is Munich in (no) need of a new concert hall? Report for the Bavarian Radio

Hearing Voices – Samir Odeh-Tamimi in conversation

NEW RECORDINGS

Remixed: The GrauSchumacher Piano Duo presents compositions in a new sound outfit.

Sarah Wegener performs almost every kind of repertoire, from her own lieder recital ideas to large new orchestral works. Looking back at her career, she is amazed how consistently its stations have emerged.

Above the vineyards by Lake Constance, with stunning views of the ‘Swabian Sea’, lies the Glazier House, summer home of Gertrud and Hans Zender. It is here that we meet to talk about the composer’s new work, which is to be premiered just a stone’s throw away from here.

'Music is a human endeavour' – Michael Jarrell and his new work for the Arditti Quartet

François-Frédéric Guy – 'The Beethoven Project'

3 Jeroen Berwaerts CR Tsuyoshi Tachibana Kopie

IN CONVERSATION

Jeroen Berwaerts explains what connects him to the brass band tradition, what yoga taught him about breath, and why singing became an essential part of his trumpet recitals.

The one with knowledge exists through his knowledge. Samir Odeh-Tamimi's Mansūr

Gringolts Quartet © Tomasz Trzebiatowski

The Gringolts Quartet: Friends for Life

IN CONVERSATION

The GrauSchumacher Piano Duo and composer Stefan Heucke talk about the arrangement of Liszt’s Concerto pathétique for two pianos and orchestra.

The klezmer clarinettist David Krakauer, portraied by Rachel Kelly

Beauty is a weapon: The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan and Toshio Hosokawa's music

Baroque and modern: Ilya Gringolts

CERHA 100

Tagebuch and Orchesterstücke: In 2014, two orchestra pieces by Friedrich Cerha received its world premieres.

Dmitry Liss and the UPO: Setting New Standards in the Urals

The Trio Mediaeval chose to consider the gaps in historic evidence as a chance when they decided to reconstruct a mediaeval Mass.