Music

Commentary: Top Classical Recordings of 2016

December 17, 2016
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I make no claims to have listened to everything released in 2016; here are my picks for the top classical recordings of the year.

Commentary: Best Classical Performances of 2016

December 16, 2016
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Picks for the top live classical performances of 2016. Feel free to agree, disagree, add to them, come up with your own list, etc.

Jazz Review: Sheila Jordan with the Yoko Miwa Trio at Thelonious Monkfish

December 16, 2016
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Sheila Jordan, to the club crowd in Central Square: “What do I care? I’m still alive.”

CD Reviews: Orchestral Music by Mason Bates — A Welcome Addition to the Canon.

December 16, 2016
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Mason Bates’ music isn’t afraid to smile. If it doesn’t always run deep, it’s at least always engaging and pleasant to encounter.

Classical CD Reviews: Mitsuko Uchida plays Mozart, Seong-Jin Cho plays Chopin, and Hans Gal’s Piano Concerto

December 15, 2016
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Among the three CDs reviewed is a particular treat — a new recording that really, truly matters.

Music Interview: Kristin Hersh — Making the Best Music of Her Life

December 14, 2016
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“There should never have been the cult of the rock star. That just shouldn’t have happened.”

CD Review: The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble — Volatile Fun

December 12, 2016
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Contagious enjoyment is very much the goal of Ken Field’s Revolutionary Snake Ensemble. Mission accomplished.

Music Interview: Morgan Heritage — Pushing Reggae Forward

December 10, 2016
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Surprise! The New England roots of reggae’s sibling act Morgan Heritage.

Concert Preview: David Crosby Still Sees the Light

December 7, 2016
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At age 75, there are more miles behind David Crosby than ahead of him, but he is resolved to carry on with freak flag flying.

Opera Review: BEMF Hangs Out with the Sun King

November 30, 2016
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The stellar BEMF team whips up a holiday confection that’s worth catching year after year.

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