Insights | Colin's Column

Many Happy Returns to Sir Antonio Pappano, 66 today. Beethoven Nine (iv) and Die Walküre insights.

Many Happy Returns to Sir Antonio Pappano, 66 today. Beethoven Nine (iv) and Die Walküre insights.

Dec 30, 2025 | Insights, News, Videos

March 23, 2025 – Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (soprano), J’Nai Bridges (mezzo-soprano), Sean Panikkar (tenor), Soloman Howard (bass), London Symphony Chorus; this complete performance of Beethoven Nine was preceded by Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time....

Henry Wood conducts Percy Grainger. And Grainger plays Handel in the Strand, and orchestrated Wood.

Henry Wood conducts Percy Grainger. And Grainger plays Handel in the Strand, and orchestrated Wood.

Dec 16, 2025 | Guest Contributors, Insights, Videos

Edward Johnson writes… The other day I came across a fuzzy old clip on YouTube of Sir Henry Wood conducting Percy Grainger. The video had been uploaded in 2008 and underneath, the uploader had stated: “This short film, found in a skip, clearly shows how...

December arrives, welcomed by Tchaikovsky, as arranged. + A Winter Landscape and a Sleigh Ride.

December arrives, welcomed by Tchaikovsky, as arranged. + A Winter Landscape and a Sleigh Ride.

Dec 1, 2025 | Guest Contributors, Insights, News, Videos

Edward Johnson writes… Herewith some December 1st suggestions, a waltz by Tchaikovsky from his “The Seasons, Opus 37a” in its original form for piano and also as arranged. Piano solo, played by Seong-Jin Cho, playing in the 14th...

The Conductor of 35,000 Books: Herbert Blomstedt.

The Conductor of 35,000 Books: Herbert Blomstedt.

Nov 18, 2025 | Blomstedt memorabilia, Guest Contributors, Insights

By Elmar Krekeler, Arts & Culture EditorNovember 17, 2025, DIE WELT https://www.welt.de/kultur/literarischewelt/article690240ed6745059776a28505/herbert-blomstedt-der-dirigent-der-35-000-buecher.html

George Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Recordings conducted by Felix Slatkin and by Leonard Slatkin.

George Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Recordings conducted by Felix Slatkin and by Leonard Slatkin.

Nov 15, 2025 | Guest Contributors, Insights, Videos

In the ‘Building a Library’ section of Record Review (BBC Radio 3; November 8, 2025), conductor Ben Gernon nominated Felix Slatkin’s mid-1950s’ Capitol recording of Gershwin’s masterpiece as top recommendation, and he and presenter Andrew...

Further reviews of Zubin Mehta’s LA Phil Bruckner Eight, this time including the Nov.7 performance.

Further reviews of Zubin Mehta’s LA Phil Bruckner Eight, this time including the Nov.7 performance.

Nov 11, 2025 | Concert Reviews, Guest Contributors, Insights

Zubin with LA Phil horn and Wagner tuba players/Bruckner Eight. Photo by Andrew Bain, principal horn Nov.7… https://www.sfcv.org/articles/review/89-zubin-mehta-shows-no-signs-stopping-la-philharmonic Nov.9…...