Jonathan Blumhofer

Classical Music Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra/Ludovic Morlot at Symphony Hall

November 29, 2011
Posted in , ,

While I’m not necessarily sold on this particular interpretation of Mahler Symphony no. 1, it was a thoughtful reading led with conviction; conductor Ludovic Morlot drew a committed performance from the BSO, and that counts for something.

Read More

Classical Music Review: The BSO — A Chemistry Lesson

November 21, 2011
Posted in , ,

It was clear from the moment Ludovic Morlot mounted the podium that he and the Boston Symphony Orchestra possess a strong chemistry: the players clearly respect him and they responded to his leadership with precision, energy, and feeling.

Read More

Classical Music Review: Worcester Chamber Music Society — A Deeply Memorable Evening of Music Making

November 20, 2011
Posted in , ,

The Worcester Chamber Music Society’s combination of repertoire demonstrated how creative programming can lead to highly satisfying musical results: each piece had something to say to or about its neighbors and the cumulative effect of hearing them in such a context made for a deeply memorable evening of music making.

Read More

Classical Music Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra — A Matter of Faulty Chemistry

November 13, 2011
Posted in , ,

While the BSO’s inventive program this week had the potential to plumb the heights and depths of human experience, Saturday’s performance generally lacked the necessary conviction, purpose, and mystery required to do so.

Read More

Classical Music Review: The NCCO at The Worcester Music Festival

November 10, 2011
Posted in , ,

The New Century Chamber Orchestra’s ability to vividly bring to life music of delicate character was on full display in this concert, part of the 152nd Worcester Music Festival.

Read More

Classical Music Review: The Boston Lyric Opera — An Efficient and Satisfying “Macbeth”

November 7, 2011
Posted in , , ,

The Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of “Macbeth,” with sets designed by John Conklin, is based on elements of a New York City Opera production and plays up the macabre elements of the story, which are many.

Read More

Concert Review: Lang Lang at Symphony Hall

November 1, 2011
Posted in ,

After intermission, Mr. Lang closed the concert with Frederic Chopin’s Twelve Etudes (Op. 25). This is music in which Mr. Lang is completely in his element, and his performance of these fearsomely difficult pieces was a marvel of extraordinary technical skill.

Read More

Classical Music Review: BSO Serves Up a Memorable Evening of Brahms

October 23, 2011
Posted in ,

Throughout his career, conductor Kurt Masur has focused primarily on conducting the standard German repertoire, and now, at age 84, his mastery and understanding of this music is unmatched.

Read More

Classical Concert Review: Sean Newhouse Conducts the BSO

October 9, 2011
Posted in , , ,

Despite some interpretive shortcomings, Sean Newhouse, the orchestra’s 30-year-old assistant conductor has solid technique, and a major orchestra whose players, management, and audience believe in him.

Read More

Recent Posts