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In case you missed it

• 08.03.2018

Slow improvement, in creative life and the classical music industry.

, , , • 06.02.2019

Barenboim is a great musician and humanist. So why are so many people afraid of him?

• 05.10.2017

VAN investigates.

, , • 18.01.2018

A satire, a lawsuit, and a thin-skinned violinist.

• 30.03.2017

A new production of Robert Ashley’s “Dust.”

• 22.02.2018

Can music connect us with a greater power? Answers, in issue #93.

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Editor’s picks

, , , • 22.02.2018

Terre Thaemlitz doesn’t succumb to any scene.

, , • 26.07.2018

Bang on a Can, “Arthur,” and the avant-garde music meme factory.

• 13.07.2017

The sounding objects of Ellen Fullman and Theresa Wong.

• 30.03.2017

A selection of music by women for orchestras to program.

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Audio of the Week

Enter the world of Krzysztof Penderecki

Although we are still in mourning for Krzysztof Penderecki, the output of Poland’s greatest composer other than Chopin has not for a moment ceased to resonate with music makers, and theater and film artists alike. On the anniversary of the maestro’s birthday, which falls on November 23, we will unveil three new pieces by Polish composers, written as tributes to Krzysztof Penderecki.

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 Parker Ramsay – Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 (Arr. for Harp)
Parker Ramsay – Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 (Arr. for Harp)

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Video of the Week

Close Quarters: "Border Crossings, Part 2" — Season 1, Episode 2 — Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

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Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s new original series — “Close Quarters” — continues to rewrite the rules. “Border Crossings, Part Two”, the second episode in the new series, is a surreal, channel changing blitz of classical music performances set to images and art created in a first-of-its-kind digital studio at Wilhardt + Naud. Music Director Jaime Martín and Creative Director James Darrah have created a genuinely exciting digital music series that celebrates collaboration in an age of isolation.

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Collection: Brian Ferneyhough at 75

To celebrate the 75th birthday of Coventry-born composer Brian Ferneyhough, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group has invited the pioneering Arditti Quartet to perform his music in the heart of the Midlands. Also featuring Oliver Janes on clarinet and the conductor Emilio Pomarico, a concert on December Sunday, December 9 at 4 p.m. will present works by Ferneyhough, Jonathan Harvey, Charlotte Bray and Michael Wolters.

To The Collection

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, • 14.09.2017 •

An interview with Brian ...

An interview with Brian Ferneyhough.

• 30.03.2017 •

The composer on clashes, frictions,...

Kampela on Ferneyhough’s “La terre est un homme” and other strange, beautiful music.

• 02.02.2017

Oscar Edelstein’s curiosity and ...

“When you follow Ferneyhough, well, you are going to be alone with your music.”

• 30.03.2017 •

What British musicians listened to ...

British musicians, including the composer Charlotte Bray, reckon with the triggering of Article 50.

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#pieces

...we’re reading, listening to, and putting together.

4 years ago •

A thoughtful response to our Klezmer playlist from issue #56.

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4 years ago •

Win a staff writer gig at VAN.

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4 years ago •

Issue #54.5 has some of our favorite articles from 2017 so far, for free.

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Stream of the Day

International Telekom Beethoven Competition
Orchestra final

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The 8th International Telekom Beethoven Competition will conclude with the orchestra finale at the Telekom Forum Bonn. Together with the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, the three finalists will interpret one of Beethoven’s piano concertos under the direction of General Music Director Dirk Kaftan. Which piano concertos will be heard, however, will be decided shortly before the finale: all participating pianists will prepare two piano concertos. But which work is interpreted by which finalist is decided by lot…

The Telekom Beethoven Competition Bonn, for young pianists, pursues two central objectives: It is primarily dedicated to promoting young talent and contributes to keeping Ludwig van Beethoven’s great legacy alive and active in his hometown of Bonn.