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 — 24 Mar 2014
J.S. Bach: St John Passion by Richard Egarr & Academy of Ancient Music
Everyone knows the St Matthew Passion by Bach; despite whether or not you know the name, there is a high likelihood you will have heard parts of it here and…
Review — 19 Feb 2014
Mozart Arias by Emma Matthews
In 2009 Australian soprano Emma Matthews released an album simply titled Emma Matthews in Monte Carlo. It was a roaring success so I was excited to hear she was…
Review — 29 Jan 2014
Destino Mexicano by La Compañia
In 2012, the Melbourne-based Baroque group La Compañia released their album, Ay Portugal. An homage to fifteenth-century Portuguese music, it was a triumph – and I still enjoy listening…
Review — 24 Nov 2013
Romantic Piano Trios by Trio Anima Mundi
This is Trio Anima Mundi’s debut recording and what is fabulous about it – aside from the strong performances of each work – is that there is no Beethoven or…
Review — 27 Oct 2013
Dvorak Cello Concertos
The Dvořák Cello Concerto in B Minor is well-known, both to cellists and concert goers alike. A work of surpassing beauty and Dvořák’s signature melodies, it was originally supposed to…
Review — 1 Apr 2013
A World Of Other People by Steven Carroll
Strong and reserved, Iris is a woman living in the middle of the London Blitz. She’s good at her job, but passionless about almost everything around her. Feeling useless in…
Review — 10 Mar 2013
Mozart: Piano Concertos 19 & 23, Brautigam
Sometimes I forget why Mozart has endeared himself to so many generations of musicians and music lovers alike. I quickly become tired of his perkiness and, in today’s musical world…
Blog post — 13 Mar 2013
Classical Composers You Might Not Have Heard Of
There are more composers out in the world aside from the usual Beethoven, Bach and Mozart. The only problem is where to start with the plethora of music available.
I…
Review — 9 Mar 2013
Nielsen: Symphonies 2 & 3, LSO
I don’t know why Nielsen is not a more popular composer around here. Lush and romantic in style, but interesting with twentieth century harmonic ideas, his Symphonies are truly gorgeous…
Blog post — 17 Jan 2013
Classical Music Anniversaries 2013
For the past couple of years I’ve looked forward to the new year and anniversaries of famous classical composers. This year is no different. I look forward to seeing box…