For my German practice, @Duolingo has decided that one of my “weak words” is “Oper”. I think something has gone seriously awry with the algorithm.

When it comes to living composers, Jonathan Dove is the one whose work I most look forward to hearing. Odyssey Bristol Beacon on Sunday was just outstanding. I just wish it would get heard at the places where the anti-immigration community go. bachtrack.com/review-dove-mi…

This being official Nutcracker day, here's a photo of a well-guarded house in Muswell Hill

The best car I’ve ever owned, but with serious idiocies - it could be so much better still. My thoughts on two years of owning a Tesla polything.com/2023/12/01/goi…

Seconded. What a great fun event, and what wonderful teammates!

Lovely evening in London BPI Classical Quiz. Great questions & awesome teammates Gillian Moore Mark Pemberton Tommy Pearson David Karlin & Sarah Osborn. We were v pleased to come 2nd out of 21 teams, though each of us will now lie awake ruing those 3 lost points…

I’ve just been made very happy by hearing Mark Knopfler talking about selling his guitars on Radio 4. For a superhero, he’s such a lovely man…

They grow up so quickly! Seeing Grosvenor is a different experience now from back in his “young musician” days (whatever that phrase means). bachtrack.com/review-benjami…

Can someone please explain to me why I have to fill in a form to renew the road tax on my car, when the tax payable is zero because it’s electric?

I'll permit myself a small flush of pride here...

There are some interviewees who can charm the birds off the trees – Sofia Philharmonic's Nayden Todorov is one of them. He was also refreshingly frank about being a conductor and about season planning. bachtrack.com/interview-nayd…

The results of my summer Tour de Gaule reviewing for Bachtrack at Opéra-Comique La Grange du Lac Festival d'Aix Festival Piano Les Promenades musicales du Pays d'Auge bachtrack.com/find-reviews/d…

My latest review for Bachtrack from Festival Piano, this from the Théâtres des Terrasses at Gordes, one of the most stunning outdoor venues I've ever been to (more photos to follow). bachtrack.com/review-pierre-…

How to do acoustics for an outdoor classical gig: awaiting Bertrand Chamayou for the opener of ⁦Festival Piano⁩

So when Octopus Energy haven't replied to emails for two weeks and you phone them up, after doing their best to persuade you to hang up, the voice prompt says 'in the mean time, here's a track I hope you like' and play a bad recording of Scotland the Brave on bagpipes. Neat.

Some 18 hours after emerging from “Picture a day like this”Festival d'Aix, I’m still reeling at how utterly wonderful the whole thing was. bachtrack.com/review-benjami… via Bachtrack

Particularly for any acoustics nerds, I've now assembled three articles about great concert halls and how they sound. Speaking to Yasu Toyota in Tokyo was a massive privilege. bachtrack.com/interview-yasu…

My first visit to the gorgeous La Grange du Lac for Rencontres Musicales d’Évian for ⁦Bachtrack⁩

The Queen of Spades is a big ask for a small festival like The Grange Festival, but I think they nailed it! bachtrack.com/review-pique-d…

Clearly, Deborah Warner has a way with tormented individuals at the mercy of those around them. First Grimes (to which I regret not giving five stars) and now this outstanding #rohwozzeck bachtrack.com/review-wozzeck…