Latest News: Classical, Obituary
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Obituary,
Nelson Freire (1944-2021) 1st November 2021The great Brazilian pianist, who was especially acclaimed for his interpretations of Chopin and Brahms as well as for his duo performances with his close friend Martha Argerich, has died aged 77.
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Obituary,
Bernard Haitink (1929-2021) 22nd October 2021The great Dutch conductor, widely loved for his kindness and humility as well as his revelatory interpretations of Wagner, Bruckner and Mahler, has died at home in London aged 92.
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Obituary,
Edita Gruberová (1946-2021) 19th October 2021The Slovak-born coloratura soprano, who excelled as Strauss's Zerbinetta and Mozart's Queen of the Night, has died aged 74.
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Obituary,
Norman Bailey (1933-2021) 17th September 2021The British bass-baritone, who was especially associated with the roles of Hans Sachs and Wotan, has died aged 88.
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Obituary,
Igor Oistrakh (1931 - 2021) 2nd September 2021The Odessa-born violinist, who performed regularly with his father David as well as forging a significant independent solo career, has died aged 90.
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Obituary,
Teresa Żylis-Gara (1930-2021) 30th August 2021The Polish soprano, whose wide repertoire encompassed rarities by Cavalieri, Chausson and Moniuszko as well as Mozart, Strauss and Verdi heroines, has died aged 91.
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Obituary,
Giuseppe Giacomini (1940-2021) 29th July 2021The great but under-recorded Italian dramatic tenor, who excelled as Otello, Dick Johnson, Andrea Chénier and Pollione, has died aged 80.
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Obituary,
Sir Graham Vick (1953-2021) 19th July 2021The English opera director, who won widespread acclaim for his groundbreaking work with Birmingham Opera Company, has died aged 67 from complications arising from COVID.
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Obituary,
Louis Andriessen (1939-2021) 5th July 2021The Dutch composer and pianist, whose major works include the Dante-inspired opera La Commedia and Theatre of the World, has died aged 82.
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Obituary,
Frederic Rzewski (1938-2021) 28th June 2021The American composer and pianist, best known for his set of variations on The People United Will Never Be Defeated, has died 83.
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Obituary,
Anthony Payne (1936-2021) 3rd May 2021The British composer, whose works included an 'elaboration' of Elgar's unfinished Third Symphony and numerous compositions for his late wife Jane Manning, has died aged 84.
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Obituary,
Christa Ludwig (1928-2021) 26th April 2021One of the most moving and versatile singers of the twentieth century, the great German mezzo-soprano has died aged 93.
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Obituary,
Simon Bainbridge (1952-2021) 7th April 2021The British composer, whose major works included Spirogyra, Diptych and settings of Primo Levi, has died aged 68.
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Obituary,
Jane Manning (1938-2021) 3rd April 2021The British soprano and contemporary music champion, who premiered works by composers including Harrison Birtwistle, Judith Weir, Oliver Knussen and John Cage, has died aged 82.
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Obituary,
Yevgeny Nesterenko (1938-2021) 22nd March 2021The Russian bass, who was closely associated with the Bolshoi throughout his long career and was particularly acclaimed in Russian repertoire, has died aged 83.
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Obituary,
James Levine (1943-2021) 17th March 2021The American conductor and pianist, who served as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera for forty years before his career ended amid allegations of sexual abuse, has died aged 77.
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Obituary,
Steuart Bedford (1939-2021) 16th February 2021The British conductor and pianist, who worked closely with Benjamin Britten and premiered two of his late major works, has died aged 81.
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Obituary,
Osian Ellis (1928-2021) 18th January 2021The Welsh harpist, whose artistry inspired composers including Benjamin Britten, has died aged 92.
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Obituary,
2020 Goodbyes 30th December 2020A short video tribute remembering some of the musicians who died during 2020.
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Obituary,
Ivry Gitlis (1922-2020) 28th December 2020The Israeli violinist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, who founded a pioneering festival in the South of France and collaborated with musicians ranging from Jascha Heifetz to The Rolling Stones, has died aged 98.