Antonio Salieri:
On his own terms

Master of the grand motet: Michel-Richard Delalande 

Related program: Musica Sacra, Sunday 4 May at 9am

Rex Burgess explores the life of Delalande.

The son of a tailor, Delalande was born in Paris in 1657 and died there in 1726. Little is known of his early life, except that at nine years old he entered the choir of the royal church of St Germain l’Auxerrois, staying there until his voice broke. He then went to live with his brother-in-law, who, to introduce Delalande to the public, gave concerts at his house at which some of his early compositions were performed. 

Thomas Hardy: The lilt of his lyric wiles

Related program: Sunday Special, Sunday 25 May at 3pm

Stephen Gard delves into Thomas Hardy’s multi talents.

Some know Thomas Hardy, poet. More know Thomas Hardy, novelist. Few know Thomas Hardy, architect. How many know Thomas Hardy, musician? 

Hardy’s earliest memory was of his father presenting him with a toy accordion. It was the perfect instrument for small fingers to explore ‘homely harmony’ and to start another Hardy on the journey to music-making, for father and grandfather were parish players, chiefly, though not exclusively, for St Michael’s Church, in the Dorset Village of Stinsford. 

From the Archives - A Musical Life in Brief –Miriam Hyde

Related program: 100% Australian made, Monday 5 May at 1pm 

Pamela Newling admires the talent of Miriam Hyde.

Miriam Hyde is one of Australia’s most respected and internationally acclaimed 20th-century pianists and composers. Her long and prolific career started when, as a youngster, she won a scholarship to the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide. In 1932, aged 19, she took up an Elder Overseas Scholarship for three years at the Royal College of Music, London. She continued to perform, compose and educate until her death in 2005 at the age of 92. 

A Spellbinding Night of Cuban Passion 

CUBA
13 April
Sydney Opera House 

On a balmy Sunday evening in April the Sydney Opera House’s Utzon Room was transformed into a vibrant celebration of Cuban soul, rhythm and cultural unity, thanks to an unforgettable concert organised by Artists for Peace in collaboration with the Cuban Embassy in Australia. At the heart of this magical evening was the luminous Turkish Australian soprano, Ayşe Göknur Shanal, whose commanding presence and vocal brilliance captivated the packed room from the very first note.

High Five with Bonnie J Jensen

Barry O'Sullivan speaks to jazz vocalist Bonnie J Jensen

When did singing and jazz music first enter your life and who are some of the artists who have influenced your style? 

Music was valued in my childhood home and I started learning piano at age eight. I’d switched to clarinet, guitar and voice by my teens and really enjoyed various orchestral and choral participations. I didn’t return to the piano until I decided I wanted to sing professionally, but, as I was painfully shy, I chose to hide behind the piano for years.

Meet Tiana Young, our 2025  Ken Weatherley Scholar 

Catherine Peake speaks with jazz singer Tiana Young.

The winner of the 2MBS Ken Weatherley Scholar 2025, Tiana Young trained at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has performed in public since her teens. Her compositions are focused on contemporary jazz and in her new album, Serendipity, she performs with her trio and jazz musician friends and collaborators.   

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings & Andante Cantabile Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony in C minor
by the Australian Chamber Orchestra

-Michael Morton-Evans

The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s most recent CD release on the ABC Classics label runs the gamut of 19th-20th-century Russian music, opening with Tchaikovsky’s joyful 1880 masterpiece Serenade for String Orchestra and ending with the equally masterful, but much darker, 1960 Chamber Symphony in C minor by Shostakovich.

Between Spaces of Knowing
by Lucy Clifford

-Barry O'Sullivan 

When the time arrives to seek out and relax to music infused with tranquil beauty one should consider this album. Featuring a collective of some of Sydney’s diverse artists in improvised music – Thomas Avgenicos (trumpet), David Reglar (tenor saxophone), Freyja Garbett (piano), Alex Masso (drums) and Chris Fields (percussion) – Lucy Clifford’s compositions (and her bass playing) provide balm for the soul, drawing inspiration from life’s in-between moments of contemplation, where we meet our real selves.

After The Last Sky
by Anouar Brahem Quartet

-Robert Vale

The title of Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem’s latest release, After the Last Sky was taken from the poem entitled Where should the birds fly after the last sky by Palestinian Mahmoud Darwish. It is a reference to the horrific Gaza war in the Middle East and, more generally, to the long history of conflict in that part of the world.

Songs For Dead Sailors
by Toby Wren 

-Barry O'Sullivan

While his instrumental prowess on guitar shines throughout this album, Toby Wren’s true strength lies in diverse musical influences. These varied inspirations, seamlessly merging classical, jazz, Carnatic music and contemporary pop, infuse his compositions with unexpected twists that transcend the conventional boundaries of the musicians’ chosen instruments, allowing them to respond to each other with remarkable spontaneity in crafting complex textures and rich tonal palettes.