21st July 2016
by harryfiddler
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It’s years since I’ve been to the Sydney Piano Competition. I’d forgotten how much fun it is. Competitive classical music is like that first lick of salted caramel ice-cream — all the goodness, with an extra tang. Not something you … Continue reading
1st March 2014
by harryfiddler
9 Comments
I’ve seen two operas in the last week: Sydney Symphony Orchestra performed Richard Strauss’s Elektra, in semi-staged concert, while Opera Australia gave us Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, fully-staged. There was some glorious music-making in both, but what got me thinking was the use … Continue reading
19th February 2014
by harryfiddler
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This was written for Sydney Morning Herald but didn’t make it in due to space issues. Space. The Final Frontier. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) Mozart at the Movies City Recital Hall, February 6 Reviewed by HARRIET CUNNINGHAM 3 stars No heart … Continue reading
18th February 2012
by harryfiddler
2 Comments
I just did a feature on the use of visuals in classical music concerts. It’s published here. I could have written so much more. I spoke to about six different people, and felt I was only scratching the surface. Then … Continue reading
16th August 2010
by harryfiddler
0 comments
Writing music must seem like a thankless task at times: you invest all your creativity into a work, hear it once then, in most cases, see it sink without trace. The music of Ross Edwards, however, bucks this trend. Continue reading
15th July 2010
by harryfiddler
1 Comment
The Sydney Symphony’s first Australian-born chief conductor came from the ranks. “Charlie”, as all his friends and colleagues knew him, was principal oboe and a very ambitious young man who wanted to be a conductor. Linda Vogt remembers him as … Continue reading