Do musicals with honorable intentions deserve a pass when it comes to quality?
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Music Interview: From Bass Goddess to Singer/Songwriter — Tal Wilkenfeld
With the release of her second solo album, Tal Wilkenfeld has become more than a bass virtuoso: she’s a sensitive songwriter, expressive singer, and capable guitarist.
Visual Arts Review: “Collecting Stories” — Yarns Worth Viewing
Almost every painting here is a discovery worth making.
Book Review: “Uninhabitable Earth” — Incentivizing Survival
We will find out how much the future of the earth matters in the next Presidential election.
Classical CD Reviews: Theodore Kuchar Collected Recordings, Eduard Strauss Centennial Edition vol. 2, and Railroad Rhythms
Railroad Rhythms is one of the year’s delights: unexpected, well played, and thoroughly charming. Theodore Kuchar is a conductor who seems to know precious few limitations; Eduard Strauss, despite his champions, turns out to have been a competent writer of music for the day.
Jazz CD Review: Ralph Peterson and the Messenger Legacy — Hard Bop, Revived
Once again, drummer Ralph Peterson pays fine homage to Art Blakey’s tradition of joyous, hard-edged bashing jazz.
Visual Arts Review: Play It Loud — Admiring the Tools that Made the Tunes
Play It Loud is porn for musicians and fans who fetishize the tools of the trade.
Classical CD Reviews: Andris Nelsons conducts Shostakovich, Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Cello Concerto, Project W
Arguably, the strongest entry in the BSO’s complete Shostakovich symphony cycle thus far; Esa-Pekka Salonen’s 2016 Cello Concerto is emotionally direct and, at times, simply gorgeous; the resurgence of interest in the music of Boston-educated composer Florence Price is a good thing.
Coming Attractions: May 19 through June 4 — What Will Light Your Fire
Arts Fuse critics select the best in film, dance, visual art, theater, music, and author events for the coming weeks.
Television Review: “This is Not Happening” — Standup Comedy Gets Real
This Is Not Happening serves up welcome shots of honestly and reality that hit you in the most ticklish parts of your own amusingly flawed, hilariously stupid humanity.