Classical Music

Listening During Covid, Part 14: Pleasures and Treasures

December 30, 2022
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Music of Machaut, the teenaged Mozart, and three vibrant American composers, plus a remarkable book about Charles Ives and his works.

Opera Album Review: Can Conductors Compose Well? Consider Mahler, Bernstein, and Now Antal Doráti

December 26, 2022
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This world-premiere recording of a powerfully compelling opera, based on a play by Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, is revelatory.

Classical Album Reviews: Dvořák’s Poetic Tone Pictures, Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, & “Immensity Of”

December 23, 2022
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A trio of reviews of recordings that include sadly neglected pieces by Dvořák, pianist Mitsuko Uchida’s phenomenal Diabelli Variations, and a haunting, arresting round-up of new music by the Departure Duo.

Concert Review: A Handel and Haydn Christmas — A Rousing Baroque Fire

December 16, 2022
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If Handel and Haydn Society’s annual Baroque Christmas program had one takeaway, it was that its new music director, Jonathan Cohen, is a superb fit for the job.

Classical Music Commentary: Top Classical Performances and Recordings of 2022

December 15, 2022
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What a great year 2022 was for classical music recordings: the canon, new music, neglected music – all of it was well-represented and from all comers.

Opera Album Review: Meyerbeer’s Comic Opera about Peter the Great, A Welcome Return

December 13, 2022
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This re-release of a superb recording of a major Meyerbeer opera reminds us what treasures are available to opera companies (and college opera programs) willing to step beyond the well-trodden path.

Concert Review: Pianist Seong-Jin Cho — Fire and Precision

December 12, 2022
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The South Korean pianist possesses technique to burn. His tone is pearly and deep, capable of both haunting distance and grandeur.

Classical Concert Review: Celebrity Series Presents Junction Trio — Balancing Flair and Cohesion

December 11, 2022
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This young, superstar trio is capable of being as cool as it is fiery, and the performers’ strengths bring out the best in each other.

Classical Music Feature: “Best of 2022” — Unusual Operas Plus Some Songs, Choral, and Instrumental CDs

December 8, 2022
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Here’s my list of two dozen superlative operatic offerings of wildly differing kinds, plus some notable non-operatic offerings.

Classical Concert Review: Violinist Christian Tetzlaff — “Playing for Life and Death”

December 7, 2022
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Christian Tetzlaff’s recital was a breathtaking experience, full of dancelike grace, intelligence, and charm.

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