Classical Music

Music Feature: It’s Opening Night — Groton Hill Music’s 1000-Seat Concert Hall

January 22, 2023
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Groton Hill’s stunning new venue is a beautifully designed and acoustically brilliant music hall that is certain to become a desired destination for artists touring New England.

Concert Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra and Violinist Nicola Benedetti — Dionysian Zest

January 20, 2023
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In the hands of some, Szymanowski’s Second Violin Concerto can be tame and traditional. As conducted by Karina Canellakis, and performed by the BSO and violinist Nicola Benedetti, the piece came off as bold, colorful, and urgent.

Concert Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra Plays Dello Joio, Stenhammar, Boulanger, and Dvořák

January 13, 2023
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Justin Dello Joio’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, written especially for pianist Garrick Ohlsson, creates an emotionally satisfying canvas out of thorny harmonies and astringent lyricism.

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.

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