Events Reviews Articles Video

Find articles | Robert Markow

Robert Markow

Robert Markow

Formerly a horn player in the Montreal Symphony, Robert Markow now writes programme notes for that orchestra and for many other musical organizations. He taught at Montreal’s McGill University for many years, has led music tours to several countries, and has written for numerous leading classical music journals.

Author:Robert Markow

Put content in English at top

Showing 16 of 16 articles

Loading image...

The wonder of Tokyo and beyond: classical music, opera and dance in Japan

By Robert Markow, 02 December 2019

We travel to Japan to discover more about its rich cultural offerings, from old traditions to new festivals and surprising artists.

Loading image...

Classical music, opera and dance in Japan

By Robert Markow

Sound over substance marks the Vienna Philharmonic's concerts in Tokyo

By Robert Markow, 11 November 2019

A great orchestra visits Tokyo, but mediocre conducting disappoints.

***11

Sound over substance marks the Vienna Philharmonic's concerts in Tokyo

By Robert Markow

Heavenly Mussorgsky and a fabulous cellist from Japan's Newspaper Orchestra

By Robert Markow, 28 April 2019

One of Japan’s leading orchestras, the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, turned in performances of two warhorses as different as night and day. In between came a revelation in the form of a young cellist destined for greatness.

****1

Heavenly Mussorgsky from Japan's Newspaper Orchestra

By Robert Markow

Under Inkinen's baton, the Japan Philharmonic sounds world class

By Robert Markow, 27 April 2019

I’ve heard the Japan Philharmonic on several occasions in the past, but this was the first time with Inkinen, and the difference was startling. In previous encounters with this orchestra I noted a rather bright, at times even glaring sound. No longer. Inkinen has instilled instead a generously warm, even, glowing sonority and depth of sound that one hears in Europe’s finest ensembles.

****1

Japan Philharmonic sounds world class under Inkinen

By Robert Markow

Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra: scene of war, promoting peace

By Robert Markow, 10 January 2019

From the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra comes a musical project that promotes world peace. We found out more about it.

Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra: scene of war, promoting peace

By Robert Markow

Hiroshima sends its message of Peace through Music

By Robert Markow, 16 February 2017

The Hiroshima Symphony promotes a war-free world through music.

****1

Hiroshima sends its message of Peace through Music

By Robert Markow

Big surprises from the Japan Philharmonic

By Robert Markow, 25 November 2016

A sensational young Japanese violinist and a sensational, little-known Fifth Symphony brought high approval ratings from the audience at a Japan Philharmonic, all-Russian concert last Friday.

****1

Big surprises from the Japan Philharmonic

By Robert Markow

Surprises from Tokyo’s “newspaper” orchestra

By Robert Markow, 24 November 2016

One of Japan’s leading orchestras, the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, turned in performances of two warhorses as different as night and day: Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, curiously understated, and Brahms' Fourth Symphony, surging with power and passion.

***11

Surprises from Tokyo’s “newspaper” orchestra

By Robert Markow

Impressive Beethoven, but Thielemann fails to scale the peaks of Strauss' Alpine Symphony in Tokyo

By Robert Markow, 22 November 2016

Pianist Kit Armstrong proved that prodigious talent and good taste can be found in the same artist, while Christian Thielemann disappoints in Strauss’ blockbusting Alpine Symphony.

***11

Thielemann fails to scale the Alpine Symphony's peaks

By Robert Markow

San Francisco Symphony fails to ignite in Tokyo

By Robert Markow, 21 November 2016

The San Francisco Symphony wound up its Asian tour in Tokyo with a program (Sheng, Shostakovich, Mahler) and soloist (pianist Yuja Wang) well calculated to generate strong audience response.

**111

San Francisco Symphony fails to ignite in Tokyo

By Robert Markow

Schoenberg sells out in Tokyo: Kazushi Ono conducts the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

By Robert Markow, 19 November 2016

Who would think that a symphony concert featuring Schoenberg and Dutilleux would sell out? Well, it did – in Tokyo. Bravo to the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra for its daring programming.

****1

Schoenberg sells out in Tokyo

By Robert Markow

Elegant lyricism from Watanabe in all-Mendelssohn program with the Orchestre Métropolitain

By Robert Markow, 04 November 2016

The Philadelphia connection continues in Montreal with Kensho Watanabe leading the Orchestre Métropolitain in an all-Mendelssohn program.

***11

Elegant lyricism from Watanabe in all-Mendelssohn program

By Robert Markow

A Mahler 8 from heaven in Singapore

By Robert Markow, 10 July 2015

Singapore’s amazing Orchestra of the Music Makers presents Mahler’s “Gift to the Entire Nation,” his massive Eighth Symphony, as part of the celebrations marking the country’s 50th anniversary as an independent state.

*****

A Mahler 8 from heaven in Singapore

By Robert Markow

Taiwan National Choir shines in Montreal

By Robert Markow, 26 November 2012

Taiwan is barely on the radar as far as most Western classical music aficionados are concerned. A recent visit, however, by the 40-member Taiwan National Choir certainly alerted those who heard it that something extraordinary must be going on over there.

****1

Taiwan National Choir shines in Montreal

By Robert Markow

Melnikov the Magnificent: Schumann, Scriabin and Shostakovich at the Festival de Lanaudière

By Robert Markow, 17 July 2012

An extraordinary event took place on Tuesday evening in Saint-Paul-de Joliette, Quebec, a pleasant little farming community located about an hour’s drive northeast of Montreal.

*****

Melnikov the Magnificent: Schumann, Scriabin and Shostakovich at the Festival de Lanaudière

By Robert Markow

Philippe Sly Hits the Jackpot in Montreal Voice Competition

By Robert Markow, 08 June 2012

The Montreal International Musical Competition, this year devoted to voice, ended on a high note with the Winners’ Gala Concert on June 8. First, Second and Third Prize winners sang two arias each, but, in a gratifying show of solidarity with the remaining finalists, the program afforded concertgoers the opportunity to hear the five runners-up as well.

Philippe Sly Hits the Jackpot in Montreal Voice Competition

By Robert Markow