“The conductor John Andrews seems to have an unerring touch when approaching music which is little known, having been little performed. Samantha Ege is a most persuasive soloist, and she makes light of the formidable technical difficulties. All those involved are to be congratulated” 😍🎁

A real honour to appear *twice* on this list! “The most satisfying thing about this album, however, is Williams’ magisterial approach to her writing for orchestra, followed very closely by John Andrews’s and the BBC Philharmonic’s devotion to what she’s written.”

Delighted to see our Resonus Classics disc with @errollynwallen.bsky.social and the BBC Concert Orchestra featured here! “The pieces on this album draw from Wallen’s 30-years-and-counting career, and the present a wholly joyful and high-spirited portrait of the composer”

Longest queue in the Arndale Centre today turns out to be at Waterstones so there must be something right about the world.

Ok that’s interesting. Contrary to the prevailing media narratives so let’s see how widely it’s picked up…

In keeping with family tradition, the divine messenger atop the tree.

And from a huge array of available evidence, deciding which actually matter, which were causal and not just coincidental, and which illuminate rather than distract. By all means hand over to AI but then you’ve resigned your entire purpose and judgemental skill…

The Office is now closed and will reopen on the morning of January 1st

“We have to stick with FPTP because it brings clarity and stability” Latest:

Meanwhile, it being Saturnalia, we are reverting to traditional gender roles for the day as I observe the baking of cinnamon buns from the armchair…

Nearly 20 years on from what already seemed quite dated satire, it turns there are those that would like to actually do this.... www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37...

The complete Bayeux Tapestry has finally been released and proves that Bishop Odo had absolutely nothing to do with the illegal Norman invasion of England.

It’s #Caturday!

And thus commences the insane Culture-Crawl: Carols at St Paul’s; Nutcracker at the ROH and Noel Coward at the Menier. Ora Pro Nobis…

“This album makes a persuasive case in favour of the music… and the Piano Concerto in particular is a fine piece, and takes its place alongside other Resonus issues celebrating neglected 20th century female British composers.” #AvrilColeridgeTaylor #SmanthaEge @leahbroad.bsky.social

Our final regular Classical CD column of the year, starring Avril Coleridge-Taylor and a big stack of Shostakovich: www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @jkaconductor.bsky.social @londonsymphony.bsky.social #avrilcoleridgetaylor #shostakovich #bbcphilharmonic #classicalcds

Since I basically only post links this is going to reduce my engagement even further…

“Daddy, they went Full F*ggot on the Ice Rink!” (Turns out this was a reference the the Pogues that I hadn’t been expecting)

‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ began as a rallying cry for exiled Jacobites planning violent overthrow of the British Monarchy and State. Seems good to remember that that it’s really not that long ago that we thought Catholics were incapable of being loyal and assimilating to British Values.

Merry gentlefolk, it is time. Today is the day. Today is comma-mas. Today is the day where we contemplate the correct placing of the comma in 'God rest you merry, gentlemen'. And if we are lucky, we can have a row about it. >

We don't need an elf on the shelf because we've got a

The thing about Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc is that he makes you feel like all those Bond films were just a gentle warm up to the main feature.

I am of course very shallow but I was more interested in the fact that his name is supposed to be pronounced like the shampoo.

A shave. (And a Walkman)

An important step (note: the main choir will remain all-male)

Avril Coleridge-Taylor verwaltete nicht nur den Nachlass ihres berühmten Vaters, sondern schrieb auch selbst große Orchesterwerke. Pianistin Samantha Ege, Dirigent John Andrews und Musikwissenschaftlerin Leah Broad über ihr Leben und Werk. van-magazin.de/mag/avril-co...

💚 Join the team at Queens’ College We’re hiring for a range of roles across the College, offering the chance to be part of a friendly, hardworking community. Catering & Conference Manager Food & Beverage Service Supervisor College Boatman & Head Coach www.queens.cam.ac.uk/about-us/vacancies/

"@errollynwallen.bsky.social has always fully leveraged the instrumental, technical, and timbral powers of the orchestra — and her new portrait album performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and soloists celebrates her mastery at a new height." Lovely to be included in this list!

17. Christmas isn't Christmas without at least one rose carol. 'There is No Rose' has been set more times than your nana's hairdo, but perhaps this is the most recent version, by the brilliant young composer, Lucy Walker. Made it into the latest Carols for Choirs. So fancy. youtu.be/jFYb4-_glZw?...

Pretty sure there's a song about that...

I still use his principle of "harder reading" of sources all the time: the idea that copyists are much more likely to rationalise the unusual ("auto-correct") than introduce needless weirdness to something normal, so therefore amongst competing MSS, the *strangest* is likely to be more reliable.

To celebrate today’s news, a portrait of Erasmus (1466-1536); translator, scholar, humanist and fierce defender of reasoned debate. He insisted on arguing in Latin because the act of stopping and translating one’s thoughts was an impediment to publishing anything intemperate or ill-considered.

There is a wonderful speech to this effect at the climax of ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ which has always stayed with me. Whatever I may have given my children is not owed to me, but to any children they may have.

Ho Ho Ho. Last public engagement of the year!

ok, here we go 💣

Hurrah! Should never have left though. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

So I haven't read this yet, so no opinions, but this is an important moment for the Arts in the UK (well, England).

With her 250th anniversary, I have absolutely come to terms with the fact that I will always admire Austen more than I actually enjoy her. Quite a lot more in fact.

Because nobody has ever explained the relationship of art and belief better.

Birthday Boy

New rug receives important approval.

Say this man’s name. Ahmed al Ahmed. A man of unimaginable bravery.

Making up lies about a political opponent is nasty but not completely outside the bounds of normal discourse. Celebrating the death of the guy who directed "When Harry Met Sally", um, is.

Just unspeakably awful.

Also, on the one hand the arts are useless and don’t need funding; on the other hand we literally have the power to create fascism…?

Anybody got the first idea what drama he’s got in mind?

As Jewish Londoners come together to celebrate Chanukah, we will do everything in our power to keep you safe.

Quite a position to argues that the wokes are destroying a civilisation built on Christian faith but gang bangs are fine actually.

Weird to be told one has a duty towards one particular platform as if it were a public utility. Obviously if it was a public space and was regulated and administered as such, it might feel more appealing…