Jonathan Blumhofer

CD Reviews: Isabelle Faust plays Bartók; Wolfgang Rihm’s Symphonie “Nähe fern”; Tokyo String Quartet plays Dvorak and Smetana; Thea Musgrave’s Chamber Works for Oboe (Harmonia Mundi)

May 29, 2013
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A round-up review of new releases from Harmonia Mundi — an invigorating crop of albums.

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REVISED: Judicial Review #11: “The Great Gatsby” — A Great Opera?

May 20, 2013
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This Judicial Review deals with the Boston premiere of John Harbison’s opera version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Read the reactions and join the conversation.

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Fuse News: Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director-designate Andris Nelsons

May 16, 2013
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The selection of Andris Nelsons, 34, as the BSO’s next chief is an inspired choice and bold, and not just because of his age.

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Fuse Concert Review: Nikolaj Znaider and the Boston Symphony Orchestra/Bernard Haitink

May 6, 2013
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The return to the standard repertoire, which, since January, has been the orchestra’s primary focus, is safe, unassuming, and (potentially, at least) creatively stifling.

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Classical Music Sampler: May 2013

May 3, 2013
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John Harbison’s The Great Gatsby gets its long-overdue Boston premiere, as does Jan Dismas Zelenka’s 1739 Missa Votiva. Handel’s Jephtha returns to the Handel and Haydn Society after a century and a half, and the Walden Chamber Players explore music from Cuba.

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Fuse News: A Critic’s Responsibility?

May 1, 2013
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Generally in New England we’re outspoken about nearly everything – politics, social issues, sports – so why not the arts?

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Concert Review: The Boston Lyric Opera Takes a Fresh Look at “The Flying Dutchman”

April 29, 2013
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The Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Flying Dutchman” may not the subtlest you will see — the Freudian elements are slathered on pretty thick — but the nervy dramatic concept adds to our understanding of the opera without compromising its core elements.

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Classical Music Feature: Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 2013-14 Season — An Appraisal

April 24, 2013
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Next season’s stale programming certainly derives from the BSO’s lack of a music director guiding and shaping the overall course of the season.

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Fuse News: In Memoriam — Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013)

April 16, 2013
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Indeed, for much of the latter part of his career, Colin Davis was that rarest of breeds, a conductor seemingly without ego, one who made music simply for the love of it.

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Fuse Concert Review: Michael McHale and the Discovery Ensemble/Courtney Lewis

April 15, 2013
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Sunday’s concert had the Discovery Ensemble and conductor Courtney Lewis playing with uncommon vigor and focus: this was one of the most exciting symphonic performances that any local orchestra has given this season.

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