Two exquisite sopranos bring us refreshing songs, arias, and cantatas; and a noted Broadway composer and a remarkable Black librettist offer a searing opera about police brutality.
Classical Music
Classical Album Review: Orion Weiss’s “Arc 1” — Crafting a Strong Sense of Impending Doom
The album serves up exceptional stuff, even if the program’s a touch macabre and pianist Orion Weiss’s well-written liner notes make uncomfortable connections between the world of pre-World War 1 Europe and our own pandemic-riddled age.
Opera Review: “Champion: An Opera in Jazz” — Fought to a Draw
The cast for this Boston Lyric Opera production was first-rate, and composer Terence Blanchard has worked in a wide variety of jazz styles and shifts gears to keep the score swinging throughout.
Classical Album Review: The Claremont Trio’s “Queen of Hearts”
What might be the most impressive feature of this disc: everything on it was written for The Claremont Trio since 2008. The album stands as a shining testament to their adeptness as an ensemble as well as their curiosity as musicians.
Classical Music Review: Osvaldo Golijov’s “Nazareno”
Nazareno is bright, often joyous, and easy on the ears. That ought to count for something.
Classical Album Review: Violinist Lea Birringer plays Sinding and Mendelssohn
Violinist Lea Birringer’s performance of the Christian Sinding selections are impressive. Her Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, though, is missing drive, excitement, and passion.
Classical Album Review: “When There Are No Words…” — Do Music and Politics Mix?
When There Are No Words presents six pieces written between 1936 and 1980 by composers responding (at least seemingly) to contemporaneous political events and situations.
Classical Album Review: “Opalescent” from the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Opalescent’s overriding aspect is celebratory – but from a variety of angles.
Book Review: “Every Good Boy Does Fine” — A Career in Music, Elucidated With Brilliance
Pianist Jeremy Denk is a sensitive and articulate polymath who can elucidate his ideas about music with wit, humor, and style.
Opera Album Review: The Boston Early Music Festival — One of the Best Recordings Ever of a Baroque Opera
The Boston Early Music Festival returns in person — and in a world-premiere recording of a German Baroque opera.