from the British Music Society
News, reviews & features
Herschel music rediscovered to mark January anniversary
To celebrate Herschel’s January astronomical discovery date, the Dionysus Ensemble has released a recording of the composer’s music…
New Year’s Honours list recognises British musicians
Soprano Janet Fischer, mezzo-soprano Alice Mary Coote and composer Max Richter were among British musicians recognised in the King’s 2026 New Year’s Honours…
Birthdays and anniversaries in 2026
In 2026 there are several British musicians celebrating milestone birthdays plus a number of centenaries too…
Happy 90th birthday Malcolm Binns
This month we send birthday greetings to a noted authority on British piano music, Malcolm Binns who celebrates his 90th birthday on 29 January…
Bite-Back: William Sterndale Bennett and George Macfarren
In my view George Macfarren is the equal of Bennett, and perhaps superior – his seven symphonies and six string quartets are testimony to his prowess, and then there are operas…
WILLIAM SMETHERGELL: Six Overtures Op. 2
In his very full notes on the music contained in this recording, Jürgen Schaarwächter makes the point that almost all Haydn’s contemporaries in Britain have largely been forgotten…
COLIN RILEY: Along the Line
Colin Riley is Reader in Composition at Brunel University. His music draws on a range of elements including new technologies, improvisation, song-writing and large-scale classical form…
GEOFFREY ÁLVAREZ: Symphonies and Sundries
Another aspect of the matter is that organ music with a programme is much less common than in the past…
DISCOVERING WILFRED HEATON
In my 2025 review of Paul Hindmarsh’s admirable and authoritative book on Heaton, I mentioned the imminent CD of his chamber music. Here it is. A welcome and most intriguing release…
AVRIL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR: Piano Concerto | Orchestral Works
Avril Coleridge-Taylor has been overshadowed by her father Samuel, but also by her heritage as the daughter of someone regarded as being of mixed descent…