Sala: Süreyya Opera House, Istanbul

Youthful Mahler, earth-shattering Shostatovich and life-affirming Schumann, played by The Maisky Trio and Maxim Rysanov at the Istanbul Music Festival.

In the wide world of impersonal, take-a-number singing competitions, Istanbul’s Leyla Gencer Voice Competition stands out for its unusual TLC of young singers. And its generous selection of prizes.

Angela Hewitt's Spanish Lanscapes offered perfect summer fare delivered with flawless execution.