Jonathan Blumhofer
The Birringer Duo’s disc is a terrific, engaging release, The Colin Currie Group’s performance is nothing short of a powerhouse, and pianist Liza Stepanova plays with lots of character and color.
Peter Oundjian and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra deliver a great album, smartly programmed and played to the hilt. Leonard Bernstein’s live Mahler was often electrifying; this performance, even with some cracked notes and hairy transitions, certainly is.
New Yorker critic Alex Ross has called the LAPO the best orchestra in the country and that appellation seems about right.
A thoroughly charismatic Fairy Queen from start to finish, well-prepared, fulgently delivered, and received by a packed house with well-earned warmth.
Pianist Alexander Melnikov has come up with one of the still-young year’s most compelling discs, Deutsche Grammophon releases an aural train wreck.
Two Mahler symphonies, one sluggish the other intense, while symphonies composed by Louise Farrenc, Mozart, and Haydn are done right.
Superb discs from pianist Lars Vogt, violinist Francesca Dego, pianist Denis Kozhukhin, and violinist James Ehnes on the viola.
It is, clearly, a crafty Beethoven remix and the ways John Adams assimilates the older composer’s language into his latest style are fascinating.
Kalinnikov’s First Symphony is one of those neglected works well worth beating a drum for.
Classical Music Commentary: Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-19 Season Announcement
The BSO seems to have taken to heart complaints about its lack of programming diversity, devoting two full programs to underrepresented groups.
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