Jonathan Blumhofer

Music Commentary: In Memoriam, Seiji Ozawa (1935-2024)

February 13, 2024
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Taking in the totality of Seiji Ozawa’s life and career, it seems clear that Boston got him in his prime and that he largely returned the favor, ingratiating himself with the community, at times truly elevating the BSO while conveying a lot of joy and energy in the process.

Book Review: “Time’s Echo” — Listening to the Voices of the Past

December 26, 2023
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Jeremy Eichler calls on hearers to engage in “deep listening,” by which he means engaging the mind and heart not just with the music, but also with the historical, cultural, and artistic contexts that gave rise to it.

Film Review: “Maestro” — Scenes from a Marriage

December 24, 2023
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“Maestro” is raw and unsparing but also full of understanding, grace, and honesty. This compelling drama brings to life the man and woman behind an extraordinary amount of musical activity, with many of their shortcomings and contradictions fully intact.

Classical Album Reviews: Louis Wayne Ballard’s “The Four Moons” and Christopher Rouse’s Symphony No. 6

December 16, 2023
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Missional zeal from the Fort Smith Symphony and an electrifying performance from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Classical Album Reviews: “Aux étoiles” and Saint-Saëns’ Symphonic Poems

December 15, 2023
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Spiffy discs of French music featuring the Orchestre National de Lyon led by Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and François-Xavier Roth and Les Siècles.

Classical Album & Streaming Reviews: “Spanish Impressions,” Boston Philharmonic Orchestra & Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in Concert

November 22, 2023
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An admiring review of the latest disc from Hermitage Trio and praise for Boston Philharmonic and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra concerts earlier this month at Symphony Hall.

Classical CD Review: Andris Nelsons Conducts Shostakovich

November 21, 2023
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The final installment in the Boston Symphony Orchestra’ s Shostakovich symphonies series is not nearly as overwhelming as its kick-off disc.

Classical Album Reviews: Emerson String Quartet’s “Infinite Voyage” and Robert Trevino conducts Respighi

November 12, 2023
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The Emerson String Quartet concludes its recorded legacy pretty much the way it began it — in musical glory. Robert Trevino and the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI’s Respighi has plenty of spirit and heart.

Concert Preview: The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s 45th Season Opener

October 18, 2023
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The concert, which along with the Elgar Violin Concerto also includes Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, promises to be a momentous occasion for the ensemble.

Concert Review: Worcester Chamber Music Society’s “Time Changes”

October 4, 2023
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Now in its 18th season, the membership of the Worcester Chamber Music Society has remained remarkably consistent, boasting a number of familiar faces from Boston’s chamber music and orchestral scenes.

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