Kate Rockstrom
Kate Rockstrom regularly reviews classical music for Readings. She also performs as a flautist, as well as writing about music and books.
Review — 27 Jul 2015
Adolphe Adam: Giselle by Nicolette Fraillon & Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
The ballet Giselle was written over 170 years ago but is still one of the most popular ballets to be performed around the world. Often seen here in Australia, the…
Review — 23 Jun 2015
Terry Riley: Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector by Kronos Quartet
No matter what music the Kronos Quartet decide to record, they always take my breath away with the strength of their technical prowess and their decisive musicality. When they choose…
Review — 18 May 2015
Vignettes by Emma Sholl and Jane Rosenson
A comment you often hear when talking about Australian classical music is: ‘Oh yes, but in Europe they do it so much better.’ From personal experience, however, I believe that…
Review — 18 May 2015
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé is not only his longest work but one of his most popular (in its Suite form). Often recorded and frequently performed even in Melbourne, most classical…
Review — 22 Mar 2015
Revolution by Emmanuel Pahud
It’s always very interesting to see what Emmanuel Pahud chooses for the repertoire on his solo recordings. Considered one of the best, if not the best, flautists in the world…
Review — 23 Feb 2015
Koehne: Time is a River by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
I was in a terribly bad mood when I sat down to listen to this recording. Not the best way to experience new repertoire, but as the first track, ‘Forty…
Review — 25 Nov 2014
Dancing Shadows: the music of Miriam Hyde for flute & piano
If you haven’t heard of Miriam Hyde, you’re missing a big chunk of Australian musical history. One of the most successful Australian female composers of the 20th Century, she premiered…
Review — 23 Sep 2014
Brahms: The Piano Trios by Oliver Schnyder Trio
When I listen to Brahms’s Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, the thought always crosses my mind that it was so close to being destroyed. Brahms destroyed all his…
Review — 25 Jun 2014
Solo by Alisa Weilerstein
Alisa Weilerstein is one of those musicians born for their instrument. Debuting at the ripe old age of 13 with the Cleveland Orchestra, she has taken the world by storm…
Review — 25 May 2014
Mosaic: Australian Guitar Concertos by Karin Schaupp
Karin Schaupp’s albums are like a breath of fresh air in the world of big, heavy classical music. No Beethoven or Brahms for her, rather the floral world of Peter…