Classical music news: Pulitzer Prize for music goes to Zhou Long for his new opera. BBC Magazine announces awards. A recovered Riccardo Muti triumphs in New York. How does the brain connect music and feelings of well-being? Plus, two concerts to watch on Easter Sunday.

By Jacob Stockinger

It’s springtime not just on the calendar and in the backyard but also in the classical music world where prizes are handed out and renewals are at hand.

But it must feel like winter in Philadelphia.

ITEM: The Chinese-American composer Zhou Long (below) wins a Pulitzer Prize for his new opera:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2011/04/18/135522931/zhou-long-wins-music-pulitzer-for-fairy-tale-opera

ITEM: BBC Music Magazine (below) hands out its top awards. Best of Show goes to ..:

http://www.classical-music.com/awards2011

ITEM: Chicago Symphony Orchestra maestro Riccardo Muti (below) is back in top form with Verdi and Berlioz, and conquers New York at Carnegie Hall:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-live-0416-cso-carnegie-online-20110412,0,162109.column

ITEM: The revered Philadelphia Orchestra (below) does it, and files for bankruptcy:

http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/arts-a-entertainment/classical-musings/26656-philadelphia-orchestra-files-for-bankrupt

ITEM: How do classical music and feelings of well-being connect in the human brain?

http://www.overgrownpath.com/2011/04/classical-music-and-feel-good-factor.html

ITEM: Here are two events, with Simon Rattle (below) conducting Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” and Yundi playing Chopin,  to watch on Easter Sunday:

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/two-special-musical-events-to-watch-this-easter

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Posted in Classical music