This is a strongly-played effort that makes a powerful case for the vitality and worth of Erwin Schulhoff’s oeuvre, particularly his mature chamber music.
Classical Music Album: “African American Voices”
Overall, this is a strong program done in by unsatisfying recorded sound.
Classical Album Review: Pianist John Wilson’s “Upon Further Reflection”
Pianist John Wilson, like his mentor Michael Tilson Thomas, is a servant of the music rather than its dictator and he knows both when and how to step back and let it speak.
Classical Album Review: Thomas Adès’s Tuneful “Märchentänze”
As the composer moves from youth to middle age, Thomas Adès is unique among his contemporaries for his singular embrace of melody, harmony, and form.
Classical Critic’s Notebook: Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2
Whatever Rachmaninoff’s conflicted feelings about writing symphonies were, there’s nothing ambiguous about the content of his Second Symphony. From start to finish, it’s a marvel of melodic freshness and brilliant instrumentation.
Classical Music Preview: Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2022-23 Season
The season-long celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Benjamin Zander’s debut as a conductor, which gets underway later this month when the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) returns to the stage, doesn’t stint on festive spirit.
Classical Music Review: Violinist Augustin Hadelich’s “Recuerdos”
Augustin Hadelich has the feeling of this music – its bittersweet melodic phrases, dancing riffs, and restrained passion – well in hand.
Classical Album Review: “John Adams” — Mastering the Style of an Iconic American Composer
This recording presents one of the most lucid and well-programmed portraits of John Adams to emerge, well, in a long while.
Classical Album Review: Khachaturian Piano Music
Soviet Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, at his best, was compelling. Granted, he wasn’t working at this level in every piece. But most of his bigger works are better than not.
Classical Album Review: Composer Derek Bermel’s “Intonations” — Turning Acerbity and Complexity on Their Heads
For Derek Bermel fans, Intonations is a must. For new music enthusiasts and the otherwise curious – ditto.