Music
The Grateful Dead’s music is moving forward with the help of musicians who are OK with the occasional look back over their shoulders.
Here’s a look back at the history of jazz recordings and a selection of ten of the best, plus one release from 2018 that has a good chance of being one of my favorites for many years to come.
Aequa is one of the year’s standout new-music albums. Philip Glass’s Symphony no. 11 suggests that the veteran composer has more than a few tricks left up his sleeve. And Neave Trio’s Celebrating Piazzolla is a thoroughly delightful, engaging album.
Visions Take Flight is one of those rarest of accomplishments: a contemporary music album that’s a sheer joy to listen to, from start to finish. And John Cage on guitar? Why not?
An impressive collection of nine new releases (seven of which are reviewed here). While some might not displace the classic recordings of Debussy already out there, this gathering offers some welcome and fresh interpretive contrasts.
A list of the most memorable opera and vocal recital recordings of the year.
Our critic’s twelve favorite classical music performances that he reviewed this past year.
Quite properly, Miles Evans evokes rather than mimics his dad’s arrangements on this excellent disc.
This year’s version – the 48th! – of The Christmas Revels is delightful and refreshing way to bid adieu to a tumultuous 2018.
Best Jazz Recordings (and Live Concerts), 2018
A pair of our critics supply their favorite albums and live local concerts of the year.
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