Music
There aren’t too many ensembles around that consistently remind us how fresh, rich, diverse, and thought-provoking contemporary can be.
Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter gave a searing, intense reading of the solo part in Nostalghia (In Memory of Andrei Tarkovskij).
So, what is one to make of the BPYO’s weekend effort? It was a bit bold, to be sure. But it was also stirring, heartfelt, and timely.
J.S. Bach has been subjected to every imaginable kind of transcription, but the combination of mandolin, bass, and cello is probably new.
Mitsuko Uchida is quite possibly the finest Mozart pianist around today, at least among non-period specialists.
Sometimes new music isn’t really new and old music isn’t actually old; the best of it exists on some other plane entirely.
The Boston Conservatory production of Mass was mostly frustrating, but Leonard Bernstein’s score came across very strongly.
A welcome triumph for Hyperion, Bruch, and the Nash Ensemble, but the Oregon Symphony does not do right by Haydn.
The fiery excellence of Handel and Haydn Society’s collective effort made Monteverdi’s epic masterpiece sparkle like a star.

Commentary and Preview: The Shrinking Scene v. Jazz Week and the Thelonious Monkfish Jazz Festival
I try to be optimistic, but it’s hard not to observe that the jazz club scene in eastern Massachusetts is worse than it’s been in decades.
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