Music
Rarely in my experience has Ives’s visionary score sounded so fired with purpose.
Composer/pianist Anthony Coleman’s meticulous crafting made every second worthwhile.
Sloan is a brand that stands for high-quality, retro-flavored pop that is rarely hackneyed or derivative.
Mostly the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ends up being about the multiplicity and infinite variety of cultures and traditions, including generic funk.
The performance’s excellent musicianship and many amusing moments were at the service of a relevant evening of commentary on the lighter side of the current news cycle.
Variations and fugues are the overriding themes of pianist/composer Michael Brown’s captivating new album. If you’re an Andris Nelsons fan, this Deutsche Grammophon album won’t disappoint, and a disc that features three pieces by composer Ferdinand Ries, who was friendly with Beethoven, is worth hearing.
David Lang’s score is hypnotic, and Emmanuel Music’s quartet of singers gave wonderful renditions.
The Birringer Duo’s disc is a terrific, engaging release, The Colin Currie Group’s performance is nothing short of a powerhouse, and pianist Liza Stepanova plays with lots of character and color.
The Boston Symphony Chamber Players gave a very satisfying performance of eclectic musical material.
Peter Oundjian and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra deliver a great album, smartly programmed and played to the hilt. Leonard Bernstein’s live Mahler was often electrifying; this performance, even with some cracked notes and hairy transitions, certainly is.
The Annual Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll at Mid-Year: Warming Up a Riff — How It Happened, and Why It Matters