Welcome
1948 was clearly a good year for music. This issue we celebrate no less than three significant 70th birthdays, beginning with pianist Leslie ★oward, our interviewee on p40, whose 100th disc of Liszt is reviewed on p104. Michael Berkeley, composer and presenter of Radio 3’s Private Passions, also celebrates entering his eighth decade with a fascinating and entertaining look back at some of the most colourful and eminent guests to have appeared on the programme over its (so far) 23-year history. The London Mozart Players are our third three-score-and-tenners, having marked the occasion with a concert on the concourse of London’s St Pancras Station. Turn to p13 to see a photo.
But what else was happening in 1948? November sees the launch of the BBC’S most ambitious classical programming to date – Our Classical Century across television and radio will seek to tie up the turbulent
100 years since the end of the First World War with an exploration of classical music’s most important and impactful works, from ★olst’s Planets to Britten’s War Requiem and Kaija Saariaho’s Graal théâtre violin concerto. From p28 you can read our own run-down of the works that we believe defined a century of bitter war, political torment and extraordinary technological progress. But do you agree with our choices? Do let us know by emailing us at music@classical-music.com.