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Concert Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra/Christoph von Dohnányi at Symphony Hall

April 7, 2012
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If a few of his tempos, particularly in the opening movement, weren’t among the liveliest on record, there was a gravitas and underlying conviction to Mr. von Dohnányi’s interpretation of “A German Requiem” that were wholly appropriate to the piece and its appearance on a program that was presented during Holy Week.

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CD Review: Basya Schechter Sings “Songs of Wonder”

April 7, 2012
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This CD marks a turning point: a solo effort by Basya Schechter with outstanding back-up by a wide range of musicians that features music based on the Yiddish poetry of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

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Short Fuse: On Pesach

April 6, 2012
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A new Haggadah has recently been published, the “New American Haggadah,” edited by Jonathan Safran Foer and translated by Nathan Englander. It’s getting a lot of attention and some criticism from “elders.” But maybe the Haggadah is beside the point. . .

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Fuse Feature: Vertical and Contingent — A Dispatch from William Kentridge’s Norton Lectures

April 6, 2012
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The decisions William Kentridge makes in his minute to-ings and fro-ings are akin to the decisions a poet makes as she works her measure over and over again.

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Visual Arts: Chopped liver at Woburn Abbey

April 4, 2012
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The world press has announced that a painting of an old man in Woburn Abbey, England, has been newly discovered to be an authentic Rembrandt. Gary Schwartz is incensed that the abbey is practicing such flagrant spin, and that the press feeds it to us so uncritically.

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Concert Review: An Embarrassment of Vocal Riches — Blue Heron and The Tallis Scholars

April 4, 2012
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It was, for this listener, an embarrassment of riches, even in this early music town. Both groups gave excellent performances of music written at approximately the same time.

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Music/Poetry Review: “Letters to Distant Cities” — An Appetite for the Forlorn

April 4, 2012
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The strength of the poetry is the ambiance it creates. Narrative is almost totally submerged in imagery, which may seem natural enough in verse but often is not the case.

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Coming Attractions in Jazz: Spring Preview

April 3, 2012
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Pianist Fred Hersch

A reprise of Fred Hersch’s Leaves of Grass highlights the key role of Boston’s educational institutions; plus, an abundance of performances celebrating CD releases.

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Book Review: “The O’Briens”— A Grand Family Epic

April 3, 2012
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“The O’Briens” is a good sink-your-teeth-into read that explores the capricious nature of destiny with grace and humor and shows great compassion for its characters.

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Movie Review: “The Deep Blue Sea” — A Feast for the Eye and the Mind

April 2, 2012
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While “The Deep Blue Sea” may be a throwback to another era, director Terence Davies has used his masterful style to engage the audience cinematically and psychologically in an elegant circular structure.

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