Turn to Looking 4ward for an overview of new programmes, recommendations for our concert broadcasts, to hear presenters in conversation and to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at Radio 4. It is a way of staying on top of our ever-evolving programme lineup. Near and Afar is presented in Cantonese by Raymond Chung on Saturdays at 10 pm. On this week’s programme his guest for July, shakuhachi player Yukio Chidori. The Hollywood Bowl celebrates its 100th anniversary, and there are concert recommendations from the Baltic Sea Festival and a recent offering from the Orchestra of the Swiss Romande
The 73rd Dubrovnik Summer Festival will open on Sunday, 10 July at 9 p.m. in front of St. Blaise’s Church, with the traditional raising of the L.
At the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, an 18-year-old South Korean won the gold medal, the youngest person to win in the contest’s 60-year history. There was another first in this competition. As a war rages between Ukraine and Russia, pianists from both nations also competed, and both earned medals. It was reminiscent of Van Cliburn winning the Tchaikovsky competition in1958, during the height of the cold war.
One of these years, the Cliburn judges are going to pick the pianists I like as winners. The law of averages says it’s going to happen, right? Let's rewind the clock: Clayton Stephenson opens Friday night playing Rachmaninov’s Third, and instead of treating it like a virtuoso showcase, he approaches it like a piece