Jonathan Blumhofer
Ken Thomson’s Restless doesn’t hide from dark places or things; Oberlin Orchestra does right by Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera.
Jerusalem Quartet’s Bartók is more elegant than hard-edged; Heath Quartet’s Tchaikovsky is vigorous and sweeping.
Adam Schoenberg is also one of the most widely-performed living composers of orchestral music; in fact, he’s among the top-ten in that category.
Cameron Carpenter played the Terry Riley composition commandingly.
Lara Downes’ America Again is a great album, and one with multiple layers of meaning.
Three CD reviews, including a disc featuring Joshua Bell, Steven Isserlis, and Jeremy Denk teaming up to play less-than-barn-burning favorites by Brahms.
Mason Bates’ music isn’t afraid to smile. If it doesn’t always run deep, it’s at least always engaging and pleasant to encounter.
Among the three CDs reviewed is a particular treat — a new recording that really, truly matters.
I’ve been most impressed by the manner in which these composers, in these works, took strong moral and/or political stands.
Commentary: Best Classical Performances of 2016
Picks for the top live classical performances of 2016. Feel free to agree, disagree, add to them, come up with your own list, etc.
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