Critic's choice
Concert
Richard Galliano in concert at Salle Gaveau
"Richard Galliano has changed the course of accordion history.
We can talk about before and after Galliano".
Yasuhiro Kobayashi, accordionist and musicianaccompanist of the singer Bjork.
It was my dearest wish: to give a fair place to this instrument, unjustly qualified as the "poor man's piano" whereas my accordion has always been a Steinway with braces.
I was determined to restore the image of my instrument, so I left my native village and "went up to Paris" like many others. The concerts I give today recount the story of an artist's life, mine,
the itinerary of a child animated by the passion of music, and of all the music.
With this experience and all the concerts I have given on the five continents in my 50 years of career,
I invite you to share this "Passion" for a concert, on January 27, 2024 at Salle Gaveau, Paris.
Festival
The Valletta Baroque Festival 2024 Edition
Since its launch in 2013, the Valletta Baroque Festival has treated audiences to a unique event featuring some of the best soloists and ensembles in the baroque music scene. Spanning over three weeks, the festival offers a quintessential experience of all that is Baroque as it takes place in exquisite venues such as St John’s Co-Cathedral, The Verdala Palace, Palazzo Parisio, and Teatru Manoel to name a few. These venues are authentic Baroque spaces adorned with lavish decor, sculptures and paintings that are typical of this period. Organised by Festivals Malta every January, under the artistic direction of Kenneth Zammit Tabona, the festival highlights the enormous versatility of the baroque idiom and its mass appeal. Above all the festival’s strength lies in the wonderful baroque settings that one finds in Valletta and the Maltese archipelago; a precious legacy that each and every one of us Maltese treasure.
Festival
Khachaturian International Festival
Artistic Director of the Festival: Sergey Smbatyan
The Khachaturian International Festival stands as a shining example of a widely celebrated classical music festival within the region, with a reputation that continues to extend well beyond Armenia's borders.
The 11th Khachaturian International Festival is scheduled to take place in Yerevan from November 16 to December 16, 2023. This upcoming edition promises five enchanting concerts as part of its program.
Founded with the committed efforts of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the annual festival is held under the guidance of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan (he is also the Artistic Director of the festival) with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.
Every year, the festival hosts renowned musicians from around the world. Legendary artists such as Krzysztof Penderecki, Zakhar Bron, Maxim Vengerov, Alexander Romanovsky, John Malkovich, and many others have graced the festival with their performances over the past decade. The 11th edition of 2023 will be no exception, as the audience will once again have the privilege of enjoying outstanding performances at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. Cellists Narek Hakhnazaryan and Astrig Siranossian, violinist Stella Chen, pianist Jean-Paul Gasparian and other outstanding performers will be featured throughout the festival, sharing the stage with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra.
The festival's program pays homage to Aram Khachaturian, whose 120th anniversary is celebrated this year, featuring his remarkable works. Each year, the program showcases not only Khachaturian's compositions but also those of his contemporaries, including a special concert featuring jazz arrangements of Aram Khachaturian's music.
The Khachaturian International Festival became a member of the European Festivals Association (EFA) in November 2021, upholding its standing as an internationally recognized music festival.
Festival
Call for applications, Enescu Competition 2024
Applications are open for the 19th Enescu Competition 2024, in Bucharest, Romania!
Young musicians are invited to apply for cello, violin, piano and composition. Register now and you will have the opportunity to join the four live rounds in September at the beautiful Romanian Atheneum from September 1st to 29th. Great prizes will encourage and bring to the world the most talented competitors. The deadline for registration is May 10th for cello, violin and piano and June 30th for composition.