WARSAW (AFP)—Russian pianists will only be allowed to enter the prestigious Chopin competition under a neutral flag and if they don't support Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, the Polish organizers said last week. Held every five years since … » Read

CHICAGO—Local opera lovers have been enjoying a pleasant compare-and-contrast challenge this fall. In a brilliant stroke, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Chicago Opera Theater (COT) have been offering near-simultaneous chances to hear two quite … » Read

SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Symphony’s concert on September 28 wasn’t just another opening. In addition to launching the new season, the program led by Music Director Rafael Payare marked the inauguration of the … » Read

To celebrate its 100 th anniversary, the Portland (ME) Symphony Orchestra (PSO) needed a special musical guest. Who better than cellist Yo-Yo Ma? One of the most recognizable classical musicians in the world, he is someone as celebrated for his … » Read

Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, composed in 1907, is an anomaly among the Austrian master’s symphonic oeuvre. It shares the opulent sound of his other symphonies, but lacks, in the words of a critic in the Boston Globe , “the anguish … » Read

The Malta Philharmonic (MPO) has been ordered to pay Brian Schembri, its former artistic director and principal conductor, €168,431.96, the equivalent of three years’ compensation for a contract the orchestra unilaterally terminated. … » Read

Pentatone has gone all out for Grace: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas, an attractive boxed set containing four CDs and an extensively annotated booklet. The photographs alone may be worth the price of admission, including a young MTT hugging … » Read

The 2024 International Opera Awards, held on Oct. 2 in Munich, recognized Australian conductor Simone Young as Conductor of the Year, while Komische Oper Berlin was chosen as Opera Company of the Year for a second time. The Female and Male … » Read

Johnny Gandelsman, a New York-based violinist and producer, is (the only musician) among the 22 recipients of a 2024 MacArthur Fellowship. The $800,000 award, popularly known as a “genius grant,” recognizes the 46-year-old for his … » Read

The San Antonio Philharmonic, already embroiled in a law suit filed by a former board member , has postponed the next concerts in its classical series, scheduled for Oct. 18-19, featuring pianist Jon Kimura Parker in Gershwin’s Piano … » Read