Commentary

Music Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — Mavericks, 1923-1955

March 23, 2015
Posted in , , , ,

This first group of mavericks all have their roots in the 1920s, but they demonstrate that George Gershwin’s way wasn’t the only way.

Read More

Music Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — French Threads

March 20, 2015
Posted in , , , ,

New York and Paris both respected innovation, but Paris demanded that the new have a certain style.

Read More

Music Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — The Great God George

March 10, 2015
Posted in , , , ,

There are still some places where the genius of George Gershwin is underappreciated, and regrettably, they include most of the concert halls in his home country.

Read More

Music Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — Who Will Program?

March 2, 2015
Posted in , , , ,

My data might be depressing for anyone who wants a lot of novelty in the concert hall. But I found that some orchestras are taking more risks than the pessimists say.

Read More

Jazz Remembrance: Jazz Trumpeter Extraordinaire Clark Terry

March 2, 2015
Posted in , , ,

Gradually, Clark Terry developed on the trumpet the rounded, full tone that became so distinctive.

Read More

Arts Commentary: Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum Envisions the Future — Now

March 1, 2015
Posted in , ,

To call the American Visionary Art Museum quirky would be an understatement: therein lies its charm as well as one of the reason for its success, even in economic hard times.

Read More

Arts Interview: America’s Arts Economy — Future Tragically Imperfect

February 23, 2015
Posted in , , ,

Over the next two decades, slow-creeping climate change is coming to the arts in America — the arctic ice on which the creative class stands is melting.

Read More

Fuse Book Commentary: Found in Translation — Out in the ‘Burbs

February 21, 2015
Posted in , , ,

Every writer fantasizes about passionate readers. These were as passionate as they come.

Read More

Music Commentary Series: Jazz and the Piano Concerto — Who Will Buy?

February 19, 2015
Posted in , , , ,

The writing is on the wall, and it’s not just a warning to the composer who trifles with the idea of writing a JIPC. It’s a warning to everyone who takes music seriously.

Read More

Fuse Remembrance: Poet Philip Levine — A Voice of Muscle and Grit

February 16, 2015
Posted in , ,

Last Saturday, poet Philip Levine died at the age of 87 in Fresco, California. Here is a reprint of an Arts Fuse appreciation of the writer, originally posted in May of last year.

Read More

Recent Posts