Music

Music Commentary: Analyzing the Greatness of Brian Wilson’s “God Only Knows”

July 5, 2025
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I hope this close look makes clear the exquisite craftsmanship that went into “God Only Knows.” But for many of us, the song has a magic that goes beyond the mere exercise of compositional skill, even skill of a very high order.

Pop-Folk Album Review: Singer-Songwriter Terry Kitchen Offers Up a Splendid Batch of New Songs (and a Couple of Covers)

July 5, 2025
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In his new album, Terry Kitchen moves effortlessly through lilting songs of happiness and sadness.

Jazz Album Review: Trombonist/Composer Matteo Paggi’s “Giraffe” — Surprisingly Tall

July 5, 2025
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The planned variety of sounds and rhythms is the adroit work of a composer dedicated to both freedom and his own version of continuity.

Classical Album Reviews: Järvi Conducts Furtwängler & Collon Conducts Sibelius

July 4, 2025
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Neeme Järvi, true to his usual form, favors brisk tempos, which tend to keep things from getting bogged down in Wilhelm Furtwängler’s bog of a Symphony No.2; Nicholas Collon leads a stupendous recording of Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5.

Concert Review: Singer/Composer Jon Batiste — Raising Spirits

July 2, 2025
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Jon Batiste’s performance resonated with what musician Zachary Richard calls the “holy trinity” of Louisiana music: Cajun, zydeco, and “old-fashioned” rock and roll.

Classical Music Album Reviews: Violinist Lea Birringer Performs Sibelius & Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays Shostakovich

July 2, 2025
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Violinist Lea Birringer does dazzlingly right by Sibelius and Szymanowski concertos and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason finds life and defiance in Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2.

Concert Review: Pianist Jonathan Biss — Masterful Performances of Schubert

July 1, 2025
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Rockport Chamber Music Festival is in the midst of a stellar season. Saturday evening, the brilliant pianist (and writer) Jonathan Biss gave a sensational recital of two late Schubert sonatas—a music lover’s dream.

Theater Interview: Hip-Hopper Baba Israel on “I Spy an Adventure!”

July 1, 2025
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“When you collaborate with an audience and other artists, and you let hip hop flow and intertwine, anything goes.”

Jazz Commentary: John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” Turns 60 — A Homage

June 29, 2025
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This year marks the 60th anniversary of the release of John Coltrane’s magisterial album “A Love Supreme,” which has meant so much to so many.

Opera Review: Boston Modern Orchestra Project Sheds New Light on “Frederick Douglass”

June 25, 2025
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Played and sung with verve in its New England premiere, “Frederick Douglass” stands as the most significant revival BMOP has undertaken in recent years.

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