Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931) was not only one of the greatest violinists of his time, he was also a composer, conductor and teacher. What's more, great composers inspired him. And in turn, his exceptional artistry inspired them to create exceptional…

Oksana Lyniv is a conductor with a dazzling international career and an artist dedicated to developing the classical music scene in her native Ukraine. She was the first woman to conduct at the Bayreuth Festival. Six years ago, she founded the…

When Claudio Abbado and his new founded Lucerne Festival Orchestra perform at the Lucerne Festival, the whole musical world looks to Lucerne. 120 musicians or "best friends" are also renowned soloists or important players in many leading orchestras…

Roman Zaslavsky understands how to contrast the two ingenious opposites Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt side by side, on one recording giving each one his due, thus offering a completely new approach to their music and also to two rather different…

The history of Claudio Abbado's relationship to Mahler is something quite special in itself. He has been established as a leading Mahler interpreter for so many years that it is easy to underestimate the role he has played in creating the huge…

Gala Concert on the occasion of the Maestro's 80th birthday. Born in Montbrison/France in 1925, Pierre Boulez is one of the most distinguished composers and conductors in the world today. Through his own compositions and his activities as an author…

The Lucerne Festival Orchestra with Claudio Abbado as its conductor made triumphal headlines worldwide: from «the miracle of Lucerne» (Tagesspiegel) to «superbe et éphèmère» (Le Figaro). When Abbado and his newly founded Orchestra perform at the…

The concerts of the new established Lucerne Festival Orchestra with Claudio Abbado as its conductor made triumphal headlines worldwide: from «the miracle of Lucerne» (Tagesspiegel) to «superbe et éphèmère» (Le Figaro). In Summer 2005 Claudio Abbado…

Since its founding over 500 years ago the Wiener Sängerknaben, a.k.a. Vienna Boys' Choir, has been a fixed attraction in musical life. A number of important musicians have been connected with the famous choir. Joseph Haydn, and Franz Schubert for…

Charpentier’s most famous Te Deum – he wrote four – overawes in exultant D Major, with an eight-part ensemble and show-stealing trumpets and timpani. It is no great surprise then that this work – and especially its instrumental prelude – became a hit…