Jonathan Blumhofer

Concert Review: John Williams’s Violin Concerto no. 2 at Tanglewood

July 25, 2021
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On first impression, John Williams’ second violin concerto didn’t strike me as an instant classic, but there’s more than a little here to warrant repeated listening.

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Classical Album Review: American Quintets — Why Has it Taken so Long?

July 24, 2021
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This disc from the London-based Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective pairs piano quintets by Amy Beach and Florence Price with Samuel Barber’s haunting “Dover Beach.”

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Classical Album Review: “One Movement Symphonies” — Let’s Have a Follow-Up

July 23, 2021
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This is a disc that begs for a sequel (or a whole series).

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Concert Review: The Boston Symphony Orchestra Performs Carlos Simon, Sibelius, and Dvorak

July 13, 2021
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The orchestra’s summer home is operating at reduced capacity this season, but it’s wonderful to have the BSO and its public reunited.

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Classical Music Album Review: Randall Goosby’s “Roots” — Profound and Accessible

July 9, 2021
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Violinist Randall Goosby’s Roots tells a singular story, one that grows and deepens on repeated listening.

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Classical Album Review: “Americans” — Bernstein, Ives, Barber, and Crawford

July 6, 2021
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Americans is a winningly-programmed, strongly-realized effort.

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Classical Album Review: “A Sicilian Traveller” — Exploring Different Corners of the Globe

June 30, 2021
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Cellist Alessio Pianelli’s playing is songful and lovely. The Avos Chamber Orchestra — essentially a student orchestra — imbues their performances with a confidence and surety that is inspiring.

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Classical Album Review: Augustin Hadelich plays Bach

June 29, 2021
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The most striking thing about violinist Augustin Hadelich’s approach to these Bach pieces is his emphasis on the music’s dancing line.

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Classical Album Review: Lise Davidsen sings Beethoven, Wagner, and Verdi

June 17, 2021
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A singer with a gleaming instrument that’s at once mighty and agile, Lise Davidsen’s drawn comparisons with some of the legendary voices of the past.

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Classical Album Review: Saint-Saëns Symphonies courtesy of the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège and Jean-Jacques Kantorow

June 15, 2021
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A welcome entry in complete sets of Camille Saint-Saëns’ five symphonies — a composer of his caliber deserves a wealth of viewpoints.

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