From a recent Royal Philharmonic Society lecture, Alex Ross, a classical music writer for The New Yorker, discusses the history of applause at chamber music recitals:
Then, in the early years of the twentieth century, the idea took root that one should remain resolutely silent throughout a multi-movement piece. By imposing such a code, we [...]

Classical, or chamber, music recitals were not events I went along to a whole lot until I was introduced to the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) last year.
Going to see a band, either in concert or at the local pub, seems – to me – like something that requires no thought it’s so natural, but [...]

The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) will take part in a special performance at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, on Saturday 6 March, the Carnival of the Animals:
Crocodiles, lizards, dugongs, mosquitos, ducks, rabbits, wombats. Can you imagine what they’d sound like in music?

Even if we weren’t the least bit interested when younger, it seems we generally take to classical music as we get older. That’s certainly been the trend up until now, or until Generation X – those born between 1961 and 1981 – came along.
Recent research shows that Gen Xers are yet to “participate” in classical [...]

Last Sunday the Australian Concert Orchestra (ACO) kindly invited me to a performances from their Great Romantics programme – which is currently touring Australia – at the Sydney Opera House.
The show featured three string sextet pieces, the world premiere of “Black is the Night”, a tribute written by composer Ian Munro to celebrate Richard Tognetti, [...]

I’m looking forward to going along to see the Australian Concert Orchestra (ACO) this weekend at Sydney Opera House… I like to mix my musical genres around a little bit… we’ll no doubt be relaxing (as it were) to some dance and electronica on Saturday, and then changing the tone a little on Sunday.
Anyway the [...]