western classical music | World Music Central

The cover of In The Fields shows four members of the Vision String Quartet standing in a misty meadow, each positioned apart while holding or placing a violin, viola, or cello into the grass.

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Vision String Quartet Go Off-Road On ‘In The Fields’

Vision String Quartet – In The Fields (ACT, 2025) Berlin’s vision string quartet returns in 2026 with In The Fields, its first album in five…

Tanya Ekanayaka - Piano Isles cover artwork. A photo of the artists.

Album reviews

Island Suite Symphony: Tanya Ekanayaka’s “Piano Isles” Maps New Terrain

Tyler Bennet May 27, 2025 No Comments Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka piano western classical music

Tanya Ekanayaka – Piano Isles (Naxos Records, 2025) Outstanding Sri Lankan composer and pianist Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka explores uncharted musical ground with Piano Isles, a…

The album cover for Orchestrations by Guy Buttery features a minimalistic design with a muted green background. At its center is a vintage-style illustration of a bird perched on a rocky outcrop, characterized by vibrant green plumage with subtle red accents. The title and credits are displayed in elegant serif fonts, with contributors listed on the right. A small ginkgo leaf illustration adds a delicate botanical touch.

Album reviews

Guy Buttery’s “Orchestrations”: A 12-Year Project of Innovation

Tyler Bennet January 31, 2025 No Comments Guy Buttery western classical music world music

Guy Buttery — Orchestrations (Guy Buttery Music, 2025) South African guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Guy Buttery is set to release Orchestrations on February 21, 2025. This…

This album cover for Panoramas by Norman Menzales features a multi-layered design that combines natural and cultural elements. The background shows the iconic rice terraces of the Philippines, overlaid with colorful, stylized fish swimming along a flowing orange line resembling a river. In the foreground, a black-and-white photo of farmers working in the fields. Bright golden sunray-like patterns and subtle white swirls complete the design. The title and subtitle, "Flute Music of the Philippines," are prominently displayed in elegant, white typography.

Album reviews

Flute Virtuoso Norman Menzales fosters a rich dialog between Western Classical and Filipino Traditions

Tyler Bennet January 27, 2025 1 Comment Filipino music Norman Menzales western classical music

Norman Menzales – Panoramas (Para Recordings, 2025) Norman Menzales’ Panoramas (Para Recordings, 2025) presents a nuanced exploration of his Filipino heritage through a series of…

New Grange cover artwork. A photo of the artists scattered on top of a green hill.

Artist Profiles

Artist Profiles: New Grange

Angel Romero January 7, 2025 No Comments Alison Brown American folk music Bluegrass Darol Anger Mike Marshall New Grange Philip Aaberg Tim O'Brien Todd Phillips western classical music

Through the vision of San Francisco Bay Area collaborators and string instrument virtuosos Marshall and Darol Anger, six celebrated acoustic music veterans formed New Grange.…

Reza Vali - Esfahân cover artwork. a photo of an ornamental part of a building with Persian decorations.

Album reviews

Esfahân by Reza Vali: A Bridge Between Persian and Western Classical Traditions

Tyler Bennet December 7, 2024 No Comments Persian classical music Reza Vali western classical music world fusion world music

Reza Vali – Esfahân (Navona Records, 2024) Reza Vali’s Esfahân presents a profound, exquisite and masterfully crafted fusion of Persian and Western classical music, featuring…

Sharon Isbin Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash - Live in Aspen cover artwork. A photo of the four artists holding their musical instruments.

Album reviews

Sharon Isbin and Sarod Masters’ Live Collaboration: A Transcendent Fusion of Classical Traditions

Angel Romero November 30, 2024 No Comments Amaan Ali Bangash Amit Kavthekar Amjad Ali Khan Ayaan Ali Bangash guitar Indian classical music sarod Sharon Isbin tabla western classical music world fusion world music

Sharon Isbin, Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash – Live in Aspen (ZOHO Music, 2024) Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin partners with…

ZRI - Café Danube cover artwork. A cubist painting of a person's face.

Album reviews

ZRI’s ‘Café Danube’ Adeptly Combines Historical Authenticity with Modern Creativity

JGurski August 31, 2024 No Comments Romani music western classical music world music ZRI

ZRI – Café Danube (Naxos World, 2024) Café Danube by ZRI brings forth Vienna’s deep musical ties to the Danube River. Vienna celebrated the Danube…

Gabriele Leite - Territórios cover artwork. The artist sitting on a chair next to her guitar case.

Album reviews

Guitar Precision and Passion on Gabriele Leite’s ‘Territórios’ Album

Douglas Sanders August 21, 2024 No Comments Brazilian music Gabriele Leite western classical music

Gabriele Leite – Territórios (Rocinante, 2023) Brazilian musician Gabriele Leite is a rising star in the world of classical guitar. Her debut album, Territórios, features…

MVRVMV Bb Clarinet Ebony horizontal view

Articles

The Clarinet, a Wind Instrument with a Rich Timbre and a Wide Tonal Palette

Angel Romero May 5, 2024 No Comments clarinet Jazz western classical music world music

(headline image: MVRVMV Bb clarinet, ebony) The clarinet is a versatile wind instrument that has been a staple in various genres of music for centuries.…