Alexandra Mathew

Alexandra Mathew is from Readings State Library Victoria

Review — 20 Oct 2016

For the Love of Brahms

Friendship is the theme of Joshua Bell’s latest album, For the Love of Brahms. Long-term friends Stephen Isserlis (cello) and Jeremy Denk (piano) join Bell to perform Brahms’ Double…

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Review — 25 Sep 2016

Mozart by Richard Galliano

Have you ever wondered what might’ve happened if Mozart had been born a Parisian busker rather than an Austrian composer? Neither had I until I heard virtuoso French accordionist Richard…

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Review — 22 Aug 2016

Faure / JC Bach / Mozart / Britten / Gounod Chamber Music by Inventi Ensemble

On Sunday 6 August, 1933, Benjamin Britten, along with his family and friends, gathered to listen to a broadcast of his Phantasy Quartet for oboe and strings. He was none…

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Review — 24 Jul 2016

Shostakovich: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2 / Viola Sonata

I begin with a confession: I have listened to little of Shostakovich’s music, and am familiar with only his most famous compositions such as The Gadfly and symphonies four and…

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Review — 24 Jul 2016

Brahms: Lieder & Liebeslieder Waltzes

In 2003, at the Verbier Festival in the Swiss Alps, four singers with fabulously contrasting voices got together with James Levine on piano to perform Brahms’ chamber music. Thirteen years…

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Review — 26 Jun 2016

Testament: J.S. Bach - Complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin by Rachel Barton Pine

American violinist Rachel Barton Pine is not an Australian household name – surprising, considering the fantastic array of awards and accolades under her belt, and even more surprising once you…

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Review — 26 Jun 2016

The Secret Lover by TENET

Having recently read Anna Beer’s fascinating book on forgotten female composers, Sounds and Sweet Airs, I listened with interest to TENET’S The Secret Lover. The CD features music…

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Review — 26 May 2016

Nelson Freire: Bach

Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire approaches the music of J.S. Bach with sensitivity and playfulness. Within this collection of transcriptions by Bach himself and other composers there is room for interpretation…

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Review — 26 May 2016

Butterflying: Piano Music By Elena Kats-Chernin

Elena Kats-Chernin’s piano music is a gift to the contemporary classical repertoire. Performed by pianist Tamara-Anna Chislowska, Butterflying features over five decades of music by Uzbekistan-born Australian Kats-Chernin. The compositions…

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Review — 26 May 2016

Schubert: String Quintet & Lieder

Recently, German baritone Matthias Goerne performed Schubert’s Wintereisse in Melbourne. At the end of the performance the audience remained still. No one clapped. Goerne, without word, exited stage right. But…

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