Classical music is not supposed to be fun, right? And yet, every concert of the Philharmonix is a living, grooving, finger-snapping testament to the contrary. The Philharmonix’ sophisticated sense of humor allows them to move seamlessly from the…

Towards the end of 1976 Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman made a European tour together, playing duos for two violins and for violin and viola with Zukerman playing the viola part. The tour began with a concert in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in…

A series of recitals by the master pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy at a new peak in his career. Both his audiences and the critics have been aware in recent years of new dimensions in Ashkenazy's playing. This may stem in part from his broadening…

Vladimir Ashkenazy has had a particular affection for the music of Rachmaninoff throughout his professional life, and his performances have long had the ring both of authenticity and of deep commitment. This is not surprising in a Russian-born and…

On the 17th of June 1986 Nathan Milstein, who was 82 years old at the time, gave his last public recital. It was a historic occasion and it took place 72 years after his famous first appearance in Leopold Auer's violin class in St Petersburg in 1914…

“Trifonov has everything and more. What he does with his hands is both technically and musically unbelievable. And then there is his touch — so gifted with tenderness and at the same time he has the demonic element. I have never heard anything like…

Acclaimed pianist András Schiff performs Bela Bartok's Piano Concertos with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. Throughout the stunning performances of these iconic works, Schiff and Rattle bring to life the…

The concert of the Münchner Philharmoniker under Sergiu Celibidache was recorded as part of the MusikTriennale 1994. In this concert from the Philharmonie in Cologne, one can clearly experience how deeply the conductor allows his musicians to immerse…

Today Sir Simon Rattle is one of the world’s most famous conductors. He earned this international reputation during his 18 years as conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which he led to global fame. This recording of Massiaen’s “Et…

Portrait of the famous French producer Pierre Braunberger who started his career in Hollywood. Among his “discoveries” are directors like Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut. Containing excerpts of 15 of his films this programme tells the amazing…