Peter Racine Fricker – a personal tribute

Peter Racine Fricker – a personal tribute

Sep 25, 2023 | Features

‘See you later.’ Dixon began edging past to the doorway.  ‘Aren’t you going to stay for the P. Racine Fricker?’  ‘Shan’t be long, Professor. I just think I’ll…’  Kingsley Amis, Lucky Jim (1954)...
Sir Arthur Bliss: Standing out from the Crowd

Sir Arthur Bliss: Standing out from the Crowd

Sep 25, 2023 | Book reviews

PAUL SPICER Robert Hale/Crowood Press It seems quite extraordinary that it has taken almost half a century since his death for a biography of such a significant figure as Sir Arthur Bliss to appear. As composer, conductor, writer, and administrator he was central to...
Festival celebrates Sir Malcolm Arnold

Festival celebrates Sir Malcolm Arnold

Sep 23, 2023 | News

One of England’s most colourful and charismatic composers – Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) – is to be celebrated across three days during October 2023 at the 18th International Malcolm Arnold Festival.  The festival is returning to the composer’s birthplace, the...
GWYN PRITCHARD: Features and Formations

GWYN PRITCHARD: Features and Formations

Sep 23, 2023 | CD reviews

Ensemble ö!,  Metier: MEX77109 Gwyn Pritchard was born in 1948 and has a varied career as a cellist and teacher. He is currently a professor at Trinity Laban. Features and Formations, released to celebrate his 75th birthday, includes five ensemble works (a...
Blue plaques: scheme may expand

Blue plaques: scheme may expand

Sep 21, 2023 | News

As many readers know, BMS E-News has frequently featured blue plaques celebrating British musicians. Now, the government is suggesting a single nationwide system could be rolled out to enable more blue plaques in England. The original ‘blue plaque’ scheme began in...