A New Acquisition by Decca Classics

The 30^th May edition of the London based publication " BBC Music Magazine " informs that Valentina Lisitsa-one of the most appreciated pianists of the moment-has recently signed her first record deal with the famous Decca Classics record company. The Ukrainian musician-who is residing in the United States at the moment-became a real celebrity in 2007 after she uploaded a youtube video of her performing Study Op.6 No.39 by Rachmanioff. Since then, the video has been viewed by over 52.000 music lovers, making Valentina Lisitsa extremely successful in the online medium. The upcoming album of the musician-who was born in Kiev and made her stage debut at the age of four after only a year of piano lessons-will include the recording of the recital that she is to make her debut with on the stage of the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London, on 19^th June.

As regards her afore-mentioned success, Valentina Lisitsa believes that she owes it entirely to her online fan base who is receiving daily updates on her career. " Their reactions tell me that I'm on the right track and that's the most rewarding thing for me" she says. An additional indication of the rich activity of this artist is her discography, which as of 1996 includes 12 albums featuring pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Grieg and Ives. Thanks to the deal with Decca Classics, the pianist has joined the group of musicians who are making a name for themselves under the aegis of the company- pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, violinist Janie Jansen and tenor Joseph Calleja. Paul Moseley, the director of Decca, has declared that the collaboration with Valentina Lisitsa is "an honour for the company" and the pianist returned the compliment by saying that" she can hardly wait for the recital at Royal Albert Hall" and took the opportunity to announce its release in digital and CD formats scheduled for 25^th June and 3^rd July respectively.

The Vocal Ensemble Tallis Scholars live on BBC

BBC Radio 3 will transmit live the concert that the Tallis Scholars vocal group will give Saturday 2^nd June in the Durham Cathedral in Great Britain. What makes this event even more important is the fact that the repertoire will include the works by two young composers-Alex Woolf and Benjamin Rowarth, aged 16 and 20 respectively-and winners of the London based National Center for Early Music award, among other works by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Hans Leo Hassler and Arvo Part. These participants were asked to compose a 4-minute piece for the vocal group, having the same theme as In Nomine from Missa Gloria Tibi Trinitas by John Traverner.

The vocal group that is to perform the works of the two young composers is emblematic of English music thanks to its approaches to compositions written during the music Renaissance, particularly the ecclesiastical ones. Founded in 1973 by the conductor Peter Phillips, the group has eventually become famous not only in the United Kingdom but also abroad, giving no less than 70 concerts annually.

This year the group has been actively involved in the contest organized by the National Center for Early Music, making the preparations for 2013 anniversary of 4 decades of existence.

Trip to the magical world of Harry Potter

In Singapore, on the occasion of the International Children's Day, the youngest music lovers are expected to embark on a journey to the magical world of Harry Potter. Not only Nimbus 2000-his flying broom-but also the…music from the movies with the young wizard hero will serve as a means of transportation. The Goodman Art Center in Singapore will host a concert featuring selections from the Harry Potter film series soundtracks-composed by John Williams and Nicholas Hooper-that will be conducted by the British musician Jason Lai. Dedicated to children between the ages of 4 and 14, the concert promises to create the magical atmosphere of Hogwarts, where almost everything is possible.