ABC Classic

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From the mailroom to TV and radio: Stephen Watkins reminisces on 60 years with the ABC

Stephen Watkins joined the ABC in 1964, like many others, in the mailroom. He reflects on his 60-year career, spanning TV and radio, including his much-loved weekly program, For The God Who Sings.

Stephen Watkins wearing headphones and smiling at the camera.

Published: 16h agoWed 21 Feb 2024 at 1:00pmTopic: Music Reads

Classic Live: MSO's Puccini in the Park

A sparkling showcase of Puccini's most beloved arias, live from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Duration: 2 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds

Published: 20h agoWed 21 Feb 2024 at 8:30amTopic: Special Features

ABC Classic and the Melbourne Symphony announce the Classic 100 in Concert

ABC Classic's annual Classic 100 countdown will once again be celebrated with a concert of highlights performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

The illustrated outline of head is filled with brightly-coloured flowers and leaves with text Classic 100 Feel Good..

Published: 23h agoWed 21 Feb 2024 at 5:42amTopic: News

Classic Live

Isserlis and Shih: cello sonatas by Shostakovich, Kabalevsky and Rachmaninov, from Tokyo

Steven Isserlis, cellist, author, musical explorer and general enthusiast performs with Canadian pianist Connie Shih in Tokyo.

Dressed in 'concert blacks' a long-grey-haired cellist plays in front of a piano.

Duration: 2 hours

Published: Thursday 22 Feb 2024 at 2:00amThu 22 Feb 2024 at 2:00amTopic: Lunchtime Concert

MSO: Puccini in the Park

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra opens their 2024 season with a sparkling showcase of Giacomo Puccini's most beloved arias at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Duration: 2 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds

Published: Wednesday 21 Feb 2024 at 8:30amWed 21 Feb 2024 at 8:30amTopic: Special Features

SSO Pictures at an Exhibition

Mihhail Gerts conducts the Sydney Symphony in Saint-Saëns, Mussorgsky and Miriama Young.

PIanist Marie-Ange Nguci standing in front of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra wearing a resplendent wizard-like dress

Duration: 2 hours

Published: Tuesday 20 Feb 2024 at 2:00amTue 20 Feb 2024 at 2:00amTopic: Lunchtime Concert

Dark Mofo: Max Richter: Voices and Recomposed

Post-minimalist composer Max Richter performs with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and soloist for Dark Mofo.

Duration: 2 hours

Published: Monday 19 Feb 2024 at 2:00amMon 19 Feb 2024 at 2:00amTopic: Lunchtime Concert

Featured Programs

Danish National Symphony Orchestra: Elim Chan, Alice Sara Ott; Grieg and Tchaikovsky

German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott: a sensitive artist always in search of a distinctive timbre. Hear her in the the ebb and flow of Grieg's Piano Concerto with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra who also perform Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 2.

Pictured from behind, in a sleaveless bright blue dress, pianist Alice Sara Ott performs with orchestra.

Duration: 2 hours

Published: Wednesday 21 Feb 2024 at 2:00amWed 21 Feb 2024 at 2:00amTopic: Lunchtime Concert

Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson

Mairi Nicolson explores the life, inspirations and iconic recordings of pianist Víkingur Ólafsson.

A man wearing glasses looks up into the distance. He wears a dark coat and stands with his back to the sea.

Duration: 1 hour

Published: Tuesday 20 Feb 2024 at 8:00amTue 20 Feb 2024 at 8:00amTopic: Legends

Exploring hygge, from a cabin in the woods

Take a musical deep dive into the Danish 'secret ingredient' to bringing coziness, comfort, and contentment into a busy world. Created and presented by registered psychologist (and musician), Greta Bradman.

4.2 Hygge - Envision a cozy, inviting cabin nestled in the heart of a dense,

Published: Monday 19 Feb 2024 at 8:00amMon 19 Feb 2024 at 8:00amTopic: Mindful Music

New Releases: Cinematic sounds from Julie Cooper, Black is Beautiful choral music, and more

Featuring the newest classical releases from around the world, including Julie Cooper's newest album 'Oculus' featuring Australian conductor Jessica Cottis, a Sphinx Vocal Ensemble 'EXIGENCE', music by Ravel with the Sinfonia of London, and harp and…

Duration: 3 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds

Published: Monday 19 Feb 2024 at 4:00amMon 19 Feb 2024 at 4:00amTopic: Classic Drive

Read and Watch

Will we ever forget how to sing Happy Birthday? Researchers think it’s unlikely, even as we get older

The music we grew up listening to, like Happy Birthday or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, can touch us in powerful ways. Neuroscience explains why we're unlikely to forget these simple songs even as we age.

An 80's boom box radio sits at the front of the image. A person lies on their back behind it with one foot on the stereo.

Published: FriFri 16 Feb 2024 at 10:00pm

How to get more live concerts in your life

Seeing live concerts feels great and recent studies have even shown that they can bring our bodies into sync. So what stops us getting out there, and how can we overcome the barriers, without breaking the bank?

Benjamin Northey stands on a conductor's podium facing toward and Indian music ensemble smiling and giving them an ok sign.

Published: 8 Feb 2024Thu 8 Feb 2024 at 10:03pm

Drum beats, gongs and pop songs: The many sounds of Lunar New Year

From the percussive Samul Nori to the universal shopping centre playlists, musicians from diverse backgrounds share what the Lunar New Year sounds and feels like.

Mindy Meng Wang sits at a guzheng on a riverbank in China. There a stone wall and pavillion in the background.

Published: 7 Feb 2024Wed 7 Feb 2024 at 10:00pm

He inspired The Beatles, Lady Gaga and countless others. But who exactly was J.S. Bach and how does his music endure?

He lived in a dark, superstitious world. But Bach’s music reverberates through the ages, and he continues to inspire musicians across all genres.

The Bach Akademie on stage at the City Recital Hall, performing in concert blacks.

Published: 31 Jan 2024Wed 31 Jan 2024 at 9:00pm

ABC Classic

Featured

From the mailroom to TV and radio: Stephen Watkins reminisces on 60 years with the ABC

Classic Live: MSO's Puccini in the Park

ABC Classic and the Melbourne Symphony announce the Classic 100 in Concert

Isserlis and Shih: cello sonatas by Shostakovich, Kabalevsky and Rachmaninov, from Tokyo

MSO: Puccini in the Park

SSO Pictures at an Exhibition

Dark Mofo: Max Richter: Voices and Recomposed

Danish National Symphony Orchestra: Elim Chan, Alice Sara Ott; Grieg and Tchaikovsky

Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson

Exploring hygge, from a cabin in the woods

New Releases: Cinematic sounds from Julie Cooper, Black is Beautiful choral music, and more

Will we ever forget how to sing Happy Birthday? Researchers think it’s unlikely, even as we get older

How to get more live concerts in your life

Drum beats, gongs and pop songs: The many sounds of Lunar New Year

He inspired The Beatles, Lady Gaga and countless others. But who exactly was J.S. Bach and how does his music endure?

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