Tim Rutherford-Johnson is spot on talking about Passionato here. I still can’t believe the media happily swallowed the hype it generated before launch. Okay I take it back, I can. What we need is a classical equivalent of the brilliant Warp label and site. 

Meanwhile on a genuinely worthwhile ‘classical’ site, NMC are continuing their indispensable reissue of Birtwistle recordings with Secret Theatre.

I have very much enjoyed watching the videos on the Medici site (once I learned to cope with the endearing Flash interface). You can currently watch a number of concerts from the Verbier festival for free there until the end of the month. I don’t really understand how there can be a compelling business model as the site it currently set up though, so perhaps enjoy it while you can.

Finally, Alex Ross was on Private Passions this week (available until next Sunday).

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