In appreciation – Matthias Siefert Today I want to use Arcana to pay tribute to a great friend, who very sadly passed away last recently at the age of 63. I first met Matthias Siefert in the year 2000. We were working at an Internet…

I've used my Arcana site to put together a tribute to Matthias Siefert, who we were very sad to lose in January.

With enormous gratitude to a great 'freund' - professionally, personally and musically:

arcana.fm/2026/02/01/m...

Introducing…Our Friends Electric! Today is known as Blue Monday, the day where New Year’s resolutions have traditionally worn off…and people have had enough of January. It happens also to be the name of one of the best electronic m…

Introducing Arcana's new electronic music project. Join me for Our Friends Electric! arcana.fm/2026/01/19/o...

Switched On – Nathan Fake: Slow Yamaha (InFiné) by Ben Hogwood What’s the story? This is the second single from Nathan Fake’s forthcoming album Evaporator, due for release on 20 February on InFiné. Although called Slow Yamaha, it fea…

Happy New Year! We're up and running with a review of new music from Nathan Fake: arcana.fm/2026/01/06/n...

2025 in music – Arcana’s 12 albums of Christmas! by Ben Hogwood In my humble opinion, 2025 has been a brilliant year for new music. Over the course of the year I have listened to more than a hundred new albums and have been fortunate enough to re…

I've picked a dozen albums of the year from this year's @arcanadotfm.bsky.social reviews - the only such list featuring Bloch and Andy Bell! arcana.fm/2025/12/20/a...

Talking Heads: Francesco Cilluffo by Ben Hogwood pictures (c) Ribaltaluce Studio (Francesco Cilluffo); Pádraig Grant (rehearsals) Arcana has the pleasure of an audience with conductor Francesco Cilluffo, in his third year as Princi…

New post - a revealing interview with conductor Francesco Cilluffo about the little-known Delius work The Magic Fountain, which he will oversee at Wexford Festival Opera later this month: arcana.fm/2025/10/11/f...

In Appreciation – Arvo Pärt at 90 by Ben Hogwood Picture by Kauppo Kikkas, used from the ECM Records website Today marks the birthday of one of our most important and best-loved composers, the Estonian Arvo Pärt. Pärt is best known…

A playlist to mark Arvo Pärt's 90th birthday: arcana.fm/2025/09/11/a...

In concert – Soloists, BBC Symphony Chorus & Orchestra / Hannu Lintu @ BBC Proms: Mahler Das klagende Lied & Boulez Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna Natalya Romaniw (soprano), Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Russell Thomas (tenor), James Newby (baritone) Carlos González Nápoles (treble), Malakai Bayoh (alto), Constanza Chorus, BBC Symphony C…

A review of last night's BBC Proms concert: Boulez & Mahler from the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra under Hannu Lintu: arcana.fm/2025/08/05/p...

In concert – Three Choirs Festival: Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra / Adrian Partington – Howells Hymnus Paradisi & Bliss Mary of Magdla Rebecca Hardwick (soprano), Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Michael Bell (tenor), Malachy Frame (baritone), Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra / Adrian Partington Howells Par…

A review from the Three Choirs Festival - Richard Whitehouse on Howells and Bliss: arcana.fm/2025/08/03/t...

In concert – Augustin Hadelich, BBC SO / Sakari Oramo @ BBC Proms: Stravinsky, Mendelssohn, Anthony Davis & Richard Strauss Augustin Hadelich (violin), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo Stravinsky Le chant du rossignol (1914/17)Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (1838-44)Anthony Davis Tales (Tails) of th…

Finally, Richard Whitehouse appraising the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sakari Oramo - with Augustin Hadelich the soloist in Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto: arcana.fm/2025/07/28/p...

In concert – Alexandre Kantorow (piano), Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Maxim Emelyanychev @ BBC Proms: Rameau, Saint-Saëns, Capperauld & Beethoven Alexandre Kantorow (piano), Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Maxim Emelyanychev Rameau Les Indes galantes – suite (1735)Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto no.5 in F major Op.103 ‘Egyptian’ (1896)Capperauld Bru…

A memorable Friday night Prom from Alexandre Kantorow and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, with Maxim Emelyanychev conducting Beethoven 5: arcana.fm/2025/07/27/p...

Next up, Richard Whitehouse reviews the Ensemble Intercontemporain in Boulez and Berio in last Wednesday's Prom: arcana.fm/2025/07/26/p...

Posting some reviews from the first week of the BBC Proms, beginning with Sean Shibe & the BBC Philharmonic under Anja Bihlmaier: arcana.fm/2025/07/24/p...

In concert – Ryedale Festival: Timothy Ridout, Orchestra of Opera North / Tom Fetherstonhaugh – Bliss: Viola Concerto first performance; Vaughan Williams, Coleridge-Taylor & Elgar Timothy Ridout (viola), Orchestra of Opera North / Tom Fetherstonhaugh Vaughan Williams The Wasps – Overture (1909)Bliss (orch. Wilby) Viola Concerto, B68a (1933, orch. 2023)Coleridge-Taylor Solemn…

Richard Whitehouse reviews the first performance of Bliss's Viola Concerto from the Ryedale Festival - Timothy Ridout performing an orchestration by Philip Wilby with the Orchestra of @operanorth.co.uk: arcana.fm/2025/07/21/r...

In concert – Johan Dalene, Andreas Brantelid & Christian Ihle Hadland @ Wigmore Hall: Korngold & Ravel Johan Dalene (violin, above), Andreas Brantelid (cello, bottom), Christian Ihle Hadland (piano, middle) Korngold Piano Trio in D major Op.1 (1909-10)Ravel Piano Trio in A minor (1914) Wigmore Hall,…

Reviewed: Christian Ihle Hadland, Johan Dalene & Andreas Brantelid at @wigmore-hall.org.uk yesterday, playing Korngold and Ravel trios: arcana.fm/2025/07/08/d...

Arcana at the opera: Fidelio @ Garsington Opera Beethoven’s Fidelio, Garsington Opera at Wormsley, Stokenchurch, UK | Pictured: Robert Murray (Florestan); Sally Matthews (Leonore) | Image © Julian Guidera 2025 Fidelio (1804-5, rev. 1814) M…

Richard Whitehouse reviews Fidelio @garsingtonopera.bsky.social: arcana.fm/2025/06/30/f...

On this day – the world premiere of Prokofiev’s Second Symphony in 1925 by Ben Hogwood Picture from the Bain Collection, Library of Congress This day marks the centenary of the premiere of one of Prokofiev’s most remarkable works, the Second Symphony. It was firs…

On this day, 100 years ago - the world premiere of Prokofiev's Second Symphony. Buckle up! arcana.fm/2025/06/06/p...

On paper – John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie John and Paul: A Love Story in Songsby Ian LeslieFaber & Faber 2025 (hardback 432 pages, ISBN: 978-0571376117) Reviewed by John Earls To write a book about The Beatles these days must be someth…

On the 55th anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ album here’s my recent short piece for arcana on @ianleslie.bsky.social’s excellent book ‘John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs:
@punkandnewwave.bsky.social
arcana.fm/2025/05/05/j...

On paper – John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie John and Paul: A Love Story in Songsby Ian LeslieFaber & Faber 2025 (hardback 432 pages, ISBN: 978-0571376117) Reviewed by John Earls To write a book about The Beatles these days must be someth…

Here’s my short piece for @arcanadotfm.bsky.social on @ianleslie.bsky.social’s excellent Beatles book ‘John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs’: arcana.fm/2025/05/05/j...

In concert – Viktoria Mullova & Alasdair Beatson @ Wigmore Hall: Beethoven & Schubert Viktoria Mullova (violin), Alasdair Beatson (fortepiano) Beethoven Sonata for piano and violin no.6 in A major Op.30/1 (1802)Beethoven Sonata for piano and violin no.8 in G major Op.30/3 (1802)Schu…

Memorable Beethoven and Schubert from Viktoria Mullova and Alasdair Beatson @wigmore-hall.org.uk: arcana.fm/2025/04/09/m...

In concert – Mao Fujita, Philharmonia Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä: Missy Mazoli, Mozart & Mendelssohn Mao Fujita (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä Missy Mazzoli These Worlds In Us (2006)Mozart Piano Concerto no.25 in C major K503 (1786)Mendelssohn Symphony no.5 in D minor Op.107, &#8216…

Memorable Mozart, Mendelssohn & Mazzoli...all about the Ms from @philharmonialondon.bsky.social on Thursday: arcana.fm/2025/03/22/f...

On Record – Claire Booth & Andrew Matthews-Owen: Paris 1913: L’offrande lyrique (Nimbus) Caplet En regardant ces belles fleursMilhaud L’innocence Op. 10/3Hahn À ChlorisRavel arr. Stravinsky Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé M64Auric Trois Interludes: Le pouf.Ropartz La RouteDurey L’Off…

By a very happy coincidence, here's a review of the new album from #RPSAwards winner, soprano Claire Booth: arcana.fm/2025/03/07/c...

In concert – BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Michael Seal: Discovering Bliss BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Michael Seal (above) Sir Arthur BlissMiracle in the Gorbals (1944) – OvertureThings to Come (1934) – MarchMetamorphic Variations (1972) Royal Concert Hall, NottinghamWe…

Great to have a first performance of Bliss's Metamorphic Variations in an age - and confirmation of a recording, too! arcana.fm/2025/03/04/b...

In concert – Maria Schneider and Oslo Jazz Ensemble present ‘Data Lords’ @ The Barbican Maria Schneider and Oslo Jazz Ensemble Barbican Hall, London, 2 March 2025 by John Earls. Photo credits (c) John Earls Maria Schneider is a distinct force. A passionate advocate of musicians’ owner…

Here’s my review for @arcanadotfm.bsky.social of last night’s superb concert by Maria Schneider & Oslo Jazz Ensemble at @barbican.bsky.social performing pieces from her remarkable ‘Data Lords’ album considering digital and natural worlds. arcana.fm/2025/03/03/m...

In concert – Susan Bullock & Richard Sisson @ Bechstein Hall, London Susan Bullock (soprano), Richard Sisson (piano) Bechstein Hall, London, 21 February 2025 by John Earls. Photo credit (c) John Earls There can’t be that many connections between Richard Wagner and t…

Here’s my review for @arcanadotfm.bsky.social of Susan Bullock and Richard Sisson’s superb concert at Bechstein Hall last Friday celebrating the Great American Songbook. arcana.fm/2025/02/23/b...

In concert – Mark van de Wiel, Philharmonia Chamber Players – Gipps & Weber Philharmonia Chamber Players [Mark van de Wiel (clarinet, above), Eugene Lee, Fiona Cornall (violins), Scott Dickinson (viola), Karen Stephenson (cello)] Gipps Rhapsody in E flat major (1942)Weber …

Clarinet-flavoured treats from the @philharmonialondon.bsky.social soloists yesterday: arcana.fm/2025/02/21/v...

Arcana @ 10… Musical moments: Sebastian Rochford & Kit Downes – A Short Diary Sebastian Rochford & Kit Downes @ Kings Place. Photo (c) John Earls As part of Arcana’s 10th birthday celebrations, we invited our readers to contribute with some of their ‘watershed’ musical m…

I was asked to pick a ‘watershed’ musical moment from the last 10 years as part of @arcanadotfm.bsky.social’s 10th birthday celebrations. I chose Sebastian Rochford’s and Kit Downes’ ‘A Short Diary’. Here’s why: arcana.fm/2025/02/05/b...

In concert – Elizaveta Ivanova, BBC Symphony Orchestra / Vinay Parmeswaran @ Maida Vale: Carlos Simon, Ibert Flute Concerto & Prokofiev Seventh Symphony Elizaveta Ivanova (flute, below), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Vinay Parameswaran (above) Carlos Simon Fate Now Conquers (2020)Ibert Flute Concerto (1932-33)Prokofiev Symphony no.7 in C# minor Op.131 (…

A lively concert at Maida Vale yesterday: arcana.fm/2025/02/05/i...

In concert – The London Jazz Orchestra: Celebrating Kenny Wheeler @ The Vortex The London Jazz Orchestra (full line-up below) / Scott Stroman The Vortex, London, 2 February 2025 by John Earls. Photo credits (c) John Earls, picture of Kenny Wheeler (c) Scott Stroman Kenny Whee…

Here’s my review for @arcanadotfm.bsky.social of last Sunday’s terrific London Jazz Orchestra’s Vortex Jazz Club concert celebrating what would have been Kenny Wheeler’s 95th birthday.
arcana.fm/2025/02/04/l...

Arcana @ 10… Musical moments: Christopher Rouse’s Organ Concerto Credit: Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty As part of Arcana’s 10th birthday celebrations, we invited our readers to contribute with some of their ‘watershed’ musical moments from the last 10…

Arcana @ 10 - David Gutman writes about his 'watershed moment', the Organ Concerto of Christopher Rouse: arcana.fm/2025/02/03/b...