Classical Music
An early highlight of the upcoming Leonard Bernstein centennial is Sony Classical’s 25-disc box set.
Michael Tilson Thomas proves he’s got Alban Berg’s style in his blood; Pablo Heras-Casado’s Mendelssohn symphony cycle continues to be stylish.
Sit Fast’s performances are breathtaking for their clarity and emotional involvement; Vladimir Jurowski serves up a ho-hum, un-monumental an interpretation of a late-Romantic pillar.
It is my sad duty to report that an evening which looked so promising was hardly a worthy homage to an important musical figure of the 20th century.
Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin does dazzlingly right by the symphonies of Mendelssohn.
A wonderful new performance of Mahler’s three orchestral song cycles; Daniel Reuss’s account of the oratorio Le Roi David is basically flawless.
Violinist Sebastian Bohren’s album is uneven; violinist Isabelle Faust and pianist Alexander Melnikov have produced a wonder.
Chock-full of truly delightful music, the production scores as yet another BEMF opera triumph.

Classical Music Commentary: What’s Next for the Boston Symphony? — Lessons from the Past