Classical Music

Classical CD Reviews: John Adams’ “City Noir” and Saxophone Concerto (Nonesuch) and Howard Hersh’s “Angels and Watermarks”

May 21, 2014
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Howard Hersh hails from northern California, and, as in John Adams’ “City Noir,” the music on Hersh’s album, “Angels and Watermarks,” embraces polyglot West Coast culture in various ways.

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Concert Review: BMOP Presents “A Fine Centennial” at Jordan Hall

May 18, 2014
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While 1962’s Symphony owes a clear debt to Stravinsky and Britten (especially its last movement), it sounds like nobody but Irving Fine. This is a score that orchestras ought to be lining up to play.

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CD Reviews: James Brawn’s Beethoven Odyssey (volumes 1 and 2) and In Recital (MSR Records)

May 12, 2014
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In a world populated by talented pianists, James Brawn is a standout. He’s not just a virtuoso, but also a probing, thoughtful musician with strong, creative programming instincts.

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Concert Review: Two Operas About Mythic Women from Harpist Deborah Henson-Conant

May 9, 2014
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The value of these two superb “operas” is learning where harpist Deborah Henson-Conant was musically (and emotionally) in the early ’80s.

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Concert Review: Deborah Voigt — Not Your Ordinary Diva

April 29, 2014
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In both appearances here, courtesy of the Celebrity Series, Deborah Voigt was sensational and very likable to boot. This cannot be said of all divas.

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Concert Review: Violinist Xiang Yu — A Stupendous Technique and a Musical Voice All His Own

April 22, 2014
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At this point, violinist Xiang Yu sounds like a mature artist ready to commence a major career.

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Concert Review: Tenor Nicholas Phan and Pianist Myra Huang — A Dream Team

April 22, 2014
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Tenor Nicholas Phan and pianist Myra Huang are a superb duo, and the pair’s recital was easily one of the highlights of this year’s concert season.

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Classical Concert Review: Conductor Charles Dutoit and the Boston Symphony Orchestra Perform Mozart and Mahler

April 18, 2014
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Conductor Charles Dutoit seems to have little affinity for Mahler’s distinctive style.

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Classical Concert Review: Winsor Music Chamber Series at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

April 18, 2014
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Praise is due Peggy Pearson and Winsor Music for providing a forum for the talented young composer Lev Mamuya.

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Classical Concert Review: The Discovery Ensemble at Jordan Hall — A Group That is Growing Strong and Fast

April 16, 2014
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The Discovery Ensemble’s precision was also on full display in the vigorous contrapuntal writing that came across with impressive, electrifying energy and visceral punchiness.

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