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Robert Simpson: Matthew Taylor’s personal tribute for his centenary

Oct 26, 2021 | Features

A transcript of Matthew Taylor’s talk from the BMS AGM 2021. As a young composer in the early 80’s there was the sense that the erstwhile leaders of the old European avant garde were still establishment, just, though their supremacy was becoming increasingly...

Youth music contest attracts 400+ entries

Oct 23, 2021 | News

More than 406 young musicians from 28 countries entered this year’s New Talent British International Youth Music Competition. This annual competition and festival is organised by Amy Yuan Academy in association with British Music Society with the Royal Academy...

LORD BERNERS: Wedding Bouquet, Luna Park and March

Oct 22, 2021 | CD reviews

RTÉ Chamber Choir and Sinfonietta Kenneth Alwyn conductor NAXOS 8.555223 I’ve always had a soft spot for Luna Park, largely because – although I have of course I’ve never seen it – the scenario is quite daft. You can think of it as an English...

MALCOLM ARNOLD: A Centenary Celebration

Oct 21, 2021 | CD reviews

Peter Fisher violinMargaret Fingerhut piano SOMM CD0640 Arnold’s first wife Sheila was a violinist and so it is no surprise to find that his violin writing seems tailor-made for the instrument. The Violin Sonata No 1 dates from 1947 and yet even here, in a work from...

Tavener’s music explored in new book

Oct 21, 2021 | News

Tuesday 30 November sees the launch of a new book Heart’s Ease – Spirituality in the Music of John Tavener which explores the music of composer Sir John Tavener. Edited by June Boyce-Tillman and Anne-Marie Forbes, contributions include an article by Dr...