The unconventional instrumentation favoured by Tortoise is an indicator of how many different lineups have always jostled for space under the jazz umbrella. The national treasure that is The Pete Alle

Yet, given the dark and often introverted nature of the concerto, it’s hardly surprising that Shostakovich kept the work under wraps for so long, feeling that programming it was inadvisable until the

After the premiere of his orchestral piece Coptic Light in 1986, Morton Feldman was described by an irate American critic as ‘the most boring composer in the history of music’. Listeners coming to his

There’s a trepidatious growl from the contra-bassoon. Soon, it is joined by French horns, strings and timpani; the sound rumbles, snowballs – and then: abrupt silence. The piano sings into the stillne

In defence of the libretto and the librettist

6.30-9.30am BreakfastCHOICE 9.30am-1pm New Year’s DayConcert from Vienna1-4pm Classical Live4-5pm Composer of the WeekBritish Light Music5-6.15pm Words and Music6.15-7.30pm New Gen Artists7.30-9.15pm