Mona Omar, Author at 2MBS

Where have you been all these years?

CD Reviews Classical Michael Morton-Evans

This is a collection of traditional folk music from England, Ireland, Scotland and (strangely) Sweden given what I can only describe as an intellectual 21st century polish by these three gifted classical musicians. The result is mixed. Claire Patti has a beautiful voice, perfectly attuned to these folk songs, but on occasion the sweetness overcomes the meaning, as in the first track Sweet Lemany.

CD Review – TRIO

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

Sydney-based pianist and composer Glenn Doig began his musical journey on the keys then progressing to the trombone, until jazz educator Mike Nock heard him play the piano at the Conservatorium of New South Wales where he was studying at the time and suggested that he concentrate his studies on pianoforte.

CD Review – Mountain to Sea

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

This latest recording from the pianist/composer is engrossing music of the highest quality, a masterclass in how to be full of sound without necessarily being furious. Bringing together musicians from different backgrounds and generations, Chris Cody (piano), Sandy Evans (soprano and tenor saxophone), Lloyd Swanton (double bass) and relative newcomer Tessie Overmeyer (alto saxophone), the album combines jazz, classical, African and French influences, in an intimate and fluid performance that combines masterful skills and musicality.

50th Anniversary Program

50th Anniversary Celebration Jill Hickson Special Programs

A tribute to the Founders of 2MBS with music of significance to them. Includes brief words from Professor Neil Runcie, David James, Charles Barton, Max Benyon and Vincent Plush with tributes to the late Trevor Jarvie, David Rumsey and jazz pioneers.

Illuminate – Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra

CD Reviews Classical Michael Morton-Evans

When the late and much lamented Richard Gill founded the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, he added another vital brick to the ever-increasing wall of Australian musical brilliance. The orchestra’s latest offering (at the moment available only as a digital download), features three of the late 19th, early 20th century’s greatest composers, Max Bruch, Benjamin Britten and Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

A fresh new look . . .

Station news

The 50th Anniversary of 2MBS Fine Music Sydney brings with it a fresh new look for our station!
Since the re-introduction of the 2MBS call sign a few years ago, it became apparent that the existing logo was no longer fit for purpose. The emphasis was essentially back-to-front, with ‘2MBS’ playing too small a role, despite that being the way we are to be found on DAB+ (for instance) and a “short hand” way of describing the station.

CD of the Week – Bartók Piano Works, Land of my Early Childhood

2MBS Subscriber giveaways CD of the Week

The Hungarian-born Australian pianist, Julie Adam, has recently recorded a number of Bartók’s works in Budapest, Bartok Piano Works, Land of my Early Childhood. Of this endeavour she says: it is one thing to return to the country of one’s birth and feel at home. It’s another to be able to record there the music which has symbolised a lost and cherished childhood.

Selby & Friends’ Lonely Angel Review

Michael Morton-Evans Reviews

In Lonely Angel, the latest iteration of Selby & Friends, Kathryn Selby once more teams up with husband and wife duo, violinist Dimity Hall and cellist Julian Smiles for an evening of piano trios and an excruciatingly lovely violin meditation by the contemporary Latvian composer, Pēteris Vasks. The concert starts in Spain with the Piano Trio in B minor by Joaquin Turina. Turina studied composition in Paris with Vincent d’Indy who inducted him into the mysteries of cyclical form, i.e. what you hear at the beginning, you’ll hear at the end.

Herbie Hancock in Concert

Barry O'Sullivan Jazz Reviews

The legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock brought his final Australian tour of a stellar band to the stage of the Sydney Opera House, walking casually onto the stage with his three-year-old grandson Dru in hand to commence the proceedings. Dru showed off his flashing light-up sneakers to warm up the house for the excitement that was to come.

CD of the Week – Lyhra

2MBS Subscriber giveaways CD of the Week Jazz

Celebrated singers, composers and performers in their own right, Trish Delaney-Brown, Sam Walton and Briana Cowlishaw combine their musical sensibilities to form the distinctive vocal harmony soundscape experience that is Lyhra’s debut EP.