VAN Magazine • An independent, online classical music magazine

Inside the Sound of the Swarm

How insects changed the history of human music

by Leah Mandel May 7, 2026

Profile

The Body That Carries

How exile shaped the Iranian musicians Aïda Nosrat and Ashkan Behzadi

by Jordan Silversmith April 29, 2026May 1, 2026

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Review

Posing The Question of Palestine at Crisco Disco

On Luca Guadagnino’s staging of “The Death of Klinghoffer” at the Maggio Musicale in Florence

by Ben Miller April 23, 2026

Profile

The Body That Carries

How exile shaped the Iranian musicians Aïda Nosrat and Ashkan Behzadi

by Jordan Silversmith April 29, 2026May 1, 2026

Report

“A Call To Action, Disguised As A Symphony”

Through her “Alan” project, lyricist, philanthropist and controversial former surgeon Susan Lim puts forward her ideas about transhumanism. Does the UK’s classical music scene have the strength to push back?

by Hugh Morris July 17, 2025

Playlist

An Actually Erotic Classical Music for Sex Playlist

Quiverings, tappings, and indecorous counterpoint

by Adrienne Davich December 1, 2022April 11, 2024

Report

Welcome to Shorworld

A hedge fund multimillionaire turned composer. A businessman with apparent links to the Russian state. A cohort of superstar performers all too happy to look the other way. Inside classical music’s large, lucrative parallel world.

by Hugh Morris and Jeffrey Arlo Brown September 11, 2024February 14, 2025

Breaking

The Eternal Hunting Grounds

In memory of Günter Pichler

by Krzysztof Chorzelski April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

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Video of the week

New album Or, The Whale by Caroline Shaw and Andrew Yee

The new album Or, The Whale features friends and collaborators Caroline Shaw—Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the world’s most performed living composers, and Andrew Yee—composer and multi-GRAMMY Award-winning cellist of ATTACCA Quartet, in a programme shaped by collaboration, conversation and the creative freedom that emerges beyond the rehearsal room.

From Shenandoah to Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus from Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, the album is a selection of original works and interpretations of existing pieces that showcase the duo’s artistic partnership in its full spectrum.

On 19 May they will launch their new album as part of Platoon Presents at Kings Place—a chance to hear two of today’s most original artists in intimate musical conversation.

Presented by

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Snapshot of the Week

Sunwook Kim with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe

For the first time, pianist Sunwook Kim, who impresses with his sensitivity, brilliance and stylistic confidence, will lead the democratically organised Chamber Orchestra of Europe as a soloist directly from the piano. Following their first successful collaboration in 2022, they will now go on tour together again and present all of Beethoven’s piano concertos in twelve concerts, five concerts each in Europe and South Korea as well as two concerts in the UK, complemented by works by contemporary composers such as Anna Clyne and Helen Grime.

The two concerts in the UK mark the orchestra’s return to the UK stage after almost eight years (they last performed at the Proms in 2017). The Chamber Orchestra of Europe is one of the finest ensembles of its kind. It was founded in 1981 and has its administrative headquarter in London.

The tour closing concert in London takes place on Saturday, 12 April 2025 at the Barbican Centre, London, with Beethoven piano concertos No. 3 and 4 paired with Anna Clyne’s Beethoven-inspired work Stride and Beethoven’s Rondino for winds.

The tour is made possible through the generous support of Hyundai Motor. (Photo © Lukas Zwiessele)

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Video of the Week

Participate to Early Music Day!

On 21 March 2025, music lovers around the globe will unite to celebrate Early Music Day, a vibrant tribute to over a thousand years of musical heritage. This annual event is organised by REMA – the European Early Music Network.

The ambassador of Early Music Day 2025 is Franziska Fleischanderl. A pioneer in the revival of the baroque salterio, she has redefined the instrument’s place in historical performance. Her innovative work, which combines musicology, artistic research and historical interpretation, has earned her international acclaim.

Participate to Early Music Day!