Features & Interviews
Ennio Morricone 1928-2020: A lost afternoon in his apartment in Rome
Tuesday, 07 July 2020
Ennio Morricone was a genius, or as close to that description as makes no odds. If we mean someone who created a unique body of work, one that changed culture, had a distincive style and was massively influential, then Morricone fitted the bill. theartsdesk's Joe Muggs was discussing today on Facebook and Mixmag his influence on dubstep and Jamaican music, for example.
'She spoke through her violin': Steven Isserlis on extraordinary meetings with Ida Haendel (192?-2020)
Tuesday, 07 July 2020
So Ida has left us – a legend has departed. What a violinist! What a woman! Magnificent, unique, incorrigible – she was a law unto herself.
Theatre Lockdown Special 12: An American rarity,...
Thursday, 02 July 2020
Can this weekly lineup really now be three months old? As we move towards at least some degree of relaxation on the social restrictions that...
‘We are still standing and planning for the...
Wednesday, 01 July 2020
They say that you discover who your true friends are when you find yourself in direst need. East Neuk Festival, our success story on the Fife coast,...
'Composing supports children to understand...
Thursday, 25 June 2020
Next month (July 2020) marks 20 years since I started work at Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, initially as their first Education Manager and...
Theatre Lockdown Special 11: Shakespeare-as-rave, a starlit Old Vic, and, yes, those singing nuns
Some celeb-heavy revivals and a kids-friendly showstopper feature amongst this week's lineup |
'We must channel the energy and pain that is being expressed right now': Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE on time for action on diversity in classical music
Chineke! founder and double bassist explains an open letter to the Prime Minister |
Ian Holm, British film's best supporting actor
From King Lear to Bilbo Baggins - remembering the great film actor who vanquished stage fright |
Theatre Lockdown Special 10: Epic plays from the National Theatre and Broadway alongside voices raised in protest
The state of Britain then and now gets a look-in, as do animals in human form |
The power of resilience: flautist Noemi Gyori on positive ways to face adversity
How performers, and others, might best deal with the current crisis |
Theatre Lockdown Special 9: Alan Bennett revisited, and so is Oz
Some familiar titles, a 1913 rarity and a show in which the audience plays its part |
'This experience has revealed just how much I love music': pianist Paul Lewis on life in lockdown
On the eve of his return to an empty Wigmore Hall, a very individual artist reflects |
The music of isolation: conductor Ian Page on 18th century 'Sturm und Drang'
Inspiring mind behind the Mozartists marks the launch of a seven-volume series |
Classical music/Opera direct to home 14 - sound and vision at the highest level
Esoteric Berlin delights, two fine UK concerts, vivid Puccini and classical awards for all |
Theatre Lockdown Special 8: A film star plays tough, and several familiar titles are examined anew
Tom Hiddleston reminds us of his stage roots, as does Christopher Walken as Captain Hook |
Christo (1935-2020) - 'Beauty, science and art will always triumph'
One of the great visionaries of our era, Christo believed absolutely in art for art's sake |
First Person: Gabriel Prokofiev on 14 years of his Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra
The composer reflects on a 21st century classic, newly recorded |
Theatre Lockdown Special 7: Party politics and a Broadway titan or two
Early James Graham joins various Broadway legends, Irving Berlin and Jerry Herman amongst them |
Larry Kramer: 'I think anger is a wonderful useful emotion'
Remembering the AIDS activist who wrote The Normal Heart and the screenplay for Women in Love |
Tuning the focus inward: violinist Esther Yoo on performers facing their demons in a crisis
A timely reflection in Mental Health Awareness Month |
The Songs of Coronavirus and Lockdown Life
The pandemic has given a worldwide cross section of quarantined musicians plenty to write about |
'If they had been any closer my face would have misted up': filming 'Men at the Barre'
The director Richard Macer had exclusive access to the male stars of the Royal Ballet. He describes what he discovered |
'Artists' online rivalry feels stronger': pianist Joseph Moog on the difficulties of performing in lockdown
Fascinating interpreter of Liszt and others on where musicians find themselves now |
Theatre Lockdown Special 6: A prolific playwright, a timeless play, and speeches galore
A popular American star vehicle and 'Alice in Wonderland' minute-by-minute figure among the cultural bounty during the week ahead |
Avoiding meltdown from lockdown: Michael Chance on The Grange Festival's strategy for survival
The countertenor and mastermind of a major summer opera event weighs up the future |
'What Grandma said (Grandma’s Corona)': sonnets by Claudia Daventry
The award-winning poet introduces her timely sequence mapping out all we have lost |
'In a country of marvellous communicators': violinist Katherine Hunka on life with the Irish Chamber Orchestra
The ICO's leader/sometime music director for 18 years shares the wonder of life in Ireland |
Theatre Lockdown Special 5: A solo show for the ages, Ibsen refreshed, and yet more frolicsome cats
From a much-traveled one-man play to a continent-spanning National Theatre premiere, the theatrical week offers plenty so savour |
Little Richard (1932-2020) - sexuality, spirituality and rock'n'roll's gospel roots
An appreciation of the late star's unique artistry |
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Edgar Degas is famous for his depictions of ballet dancers. His drawings, paintings and...
Reissue CDs Weekly: Philip Rambow - The Rebel Kind
“Strange Destinies” is the first track. “Take your eyes off me Svengali” is its memorable opening phrase. Conjuring up Van Morrison, Tom Petty,...