Culture news
Putin awards Order of Friendship award to German pianist Justus Frantz
Pianist and composer Justus Frantz has regularly divided opinion in Germany's classical music world over his close relationship with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Now he's set disapproving tongues wagging again within the industry by accepting Moscow's Order of Friendship award.
Culture news
Polish pianist carries home hopes into Chopin competition final
The jury of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, chaired by Garrick Ohlsson, have decided on 11 pianists for the final round of competition with local hopes resting on the playing hands of Poland's Piotr Alexewicz.
Culture news
War and Chopin: Behind the photographic lens with Wojciech Grzędziński
For two decades now, a certain important pretext has drawn photojournalist Wojciech Grzędziński away from the front line and traditionally leads him to Warsaw - the Chopin International Piano Competition. But what does Chopin have to do with war and conflict?
Cult
Gabala Music Festival: Six days of opera and jazz in the Caucasus
In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Every summer, the Gabala International Music Festival turns this Azerbaijani mountain resort into an open-air stage, hosting world-class jazz, opera and orchestras against the backdrop of the Caucasus.
Culture news
Meet the Austrian carpenter safeguarding precious flutes
Professional flutists often face a problem when it comes to protecting their fragile and expensive instruments: many cases don't hold the flutes in place, making them vulnerable to damage. But a carpenter from a small Austrian town may have changed that...
Changemakers of Uzbekistan
Behzod Abduraimov: a childhood dream hits the world’s stage
In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov describes his musical journey, from humble beginnings in Tashkent to performing in storied venues around the world.
Culture news
Italy disinvites pro-Putin classical conductor from Caserta concert
The news of the cancellation of the performance by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who is known to be very close to President Vladimir Putin, has been hailed as a victory by Kremlin critic Yulia Navalnaya and Ukrainian associations in Italy.
Culture news
Chopin, Sand, Scheffer and Delacroix: music, art and friends in Paris
Ary Scheffer’s Paris studio was a vibrant meeting place for painters, writers, and musicians - Chopin among them. A true centre of Romantic life in 19th-century Paris, its spirit has been revived at the Frederic Chopin Museum in Warsaw in a new exhibition.
Cult
Dubai’s InClassica festival hosts major names in classical music
In partnership with InClassica International Music Festival
In this episode of Cult, we’re in Dubai at InClassica, where international orchestras and soloists gather for two weeks of classical performances and new works by composer Alexey Shor.
Culture news
Haik Kazazyan wins top prize at Classic Violin Olympus in Dubai
From 12-to-1, Armenian violinist Haik Kazazyan has triumphed at the first-ever Classic Violin Olympus competition at Dubai’s Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, beating a world leading collection of classical music performers to win the coveted prize.
Cult
5 things you need to know about the Classic Violin Olympus International Competition
In partnership with Classic Violin Olympus
Ahead of the finals for the Classic Violin Olympus International Competition in Dubai, here’s everything you need to know about one of the most prestigious and competitive musical competitions this year.