Music Education &
Performing Arts Consultant
ABC 476 4954 The Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia (SIPCA) attracts some of the finest young pianists from all over the world, and has established for some, careers beyond the competition stage. A favourite performer and winner of the 2008 competition has been Russian pianist, Konstantin Shamray (taking five other prizes, including the People’s … Read more
ABC 476 5169 Reviewed by Barry Walmsley If you want your Christmas to groove along with some stunning arrangements, then The Idea of North’s latest recording is an absolutely must. This ensemble, known for its contemporary flavour and mellow vocal blend, has captured the joy of the season with a selection of traditional carols. American … Read more
Bach: The Cello Suites Michael Goldschlager ABC Classics 476 4625 Reviewed by Barry Walmsley To record yet another CD of these great and enduring landmarks in the cello repertoire requires great courage but more importantly, something distinctive to say. Afterall, all the great cellists of the world have put their imprint on these suites: names … Read more
The Good, the Bad and the Awkward Sally Whitwell (pianist) ABC Classics 476 4898 Reviewed by Barry Walmsley At first, I picked this CD up and wondered what it was all about… Great music played by a pianist who is one of the fastest evolving personalities in the Australian classical music scene today – … Read more
Stephanie McCallum (pianist) ABC Classics 476 4689 This selection of piano music really can be heard at any time of the year, but pianist Stephanie McCallum has chosen a lovely anthology of music which is directly related to the Christmas theme, or would suit the festive season. Amongst the glitter and fake snow that comes … Read more
Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers & Band Created by Sally Whitwell and Daniel Walker Featuring Rob Mills and Bobby Fox City Recital Hall, Angel Place Saturday, 25 August 2012 The timelessness of John Lennon’s and Paul McCartney’s songs was evident in the Sydney Philharmonia Chambers Singers’ foray into the realm of popular music. This select choral … Read more
Australian Chamber Orchestra Directed by Richard Tognetti, with soprano Danielle de Niese City Recital Hall, Angel Place Saturday, June 9 Reviewed by Barry Walmsley Full of wondrous surprises, the Australian Chamber Orchestra never fails to impress. Its programming choices along with guest artists keeps audiences enthralled. No less was Saturday’s performance by the ACO, with … Read more
Patrick Thomas MBE has been a conductor of international repute, but many do not know him as a writer. Several books have been authored by this great maestro showing an intellect of great capacity and a spirit of true imagination. In this publication, Thomas reveals himself as a consumate poet with 71 poems ranging on … Read more
The author, known to many as one of Australia’s finest conductors, can really tell a story, not only through music-making with orchestras on a stage, but in written form. This book is in two parts: the first comprising the bulk of the book with recollections of his life and career dating back to the mid-1940s … Read more
published by Nelson Cengage Learning (ISBN 9780 1702 11253) Put aside the encyclopedias or online dictionaries, this little tome is a treasure chest of amusing and yet highly informative information about all things musical and otherwise. Nick Peterson has cleverly knitted together an amazing set of facts, historical stories and rare gems of information to … Read more