The Latvian, Mariss Jansons, was one of the greatest and best loved conductors of modern times. In this tribute, the four orchestras that were central to his creative life, offer performances in his memory of music that he loved. They're led by…

On occasion of this 90th birthday, internationally acclaimed pianist Joaquín Achúcarro delivers a magnificent performance, brimming with warmth, colour, and a full display of his unpaired technique, of some of his signature pieces by favourite…

Celebrating democracy, freedom and non-violence, the Czech Philharmonic’s concert to mark the Velvet Revolution was presented for the first time in 2020. Taking place every year on 17 November – both the day the then Czechoslovak riot police brutally…

Last minute replacements can make history. This is the case with this telluric performance of Beethoven’s Fifth symphony which Sir Simon Rattle accepted to conduct on a few days’ notice. The involvement of both the conductor and the young musicians…

The French Baroque opera Hippolyte et Aricie carries its audience away into a realm of wonders with magnificent dance and choir scenes and the greatest possible multitude of musical forms. Philippe Rameau, a French contemporary of Bach and Handel…

On 14 November 1987, a promising conductor made his Berliner Philharmoniker debut with Gustav Mahler’s Sixth Symphony: Simon Rattle. In retrospect Rattle says, “I felt that I was finding my voice on that day.” Mahler’s multifaceted work is now again…

It is the end of an era: Sir Simon Rattle’s tenure as chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker ends after 16 years with this concert at the Waldbühne. Even if it is not without a tear in our eyes, it is a cheerful concert with vibrant works by…

In this Baden-Baden concert, Simon Rattle presents a sonorous snapshot of the European music scene in the early 20th century. It includes Richard Strauss’s self-confidently impressive Don Juan, sumptuous songs by Alban Berg, Ravel’s overwhelmingly…

Having made his conducting debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker in 1987, Sir Simon Rattle was appointed as Claudio Abbado‘s successor in 1999. On 7 September 2002, Sir Simon gave his first concert as the orchestra‘s chief conductor. Sixteen years…

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla ranks among today’s shooting stars of the classical music scene. At the age of only 30 years, the Lithuanian was unanimously selected by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) to be their musical director; succeeding…