” I want to try everything, study everything. I just love this work.”
Music
Classical Album Reviews: Andris Nelsons’ CBSO Recordings, and Mariss Jansons’ SACD Recordings
A collection that provides a fascinating bit of context for how Andris Nelsons has developed as a conductor over the last decade-plus, and an honest, mostly flattering, tribute to a much-loved conductor, the late Mariss Jansons.
Concert Review: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones — Beloved and Blistering
It may sound oxymoronic, but the Bosstones scream, shout, and agitate for common decency.
Classical Album Reviews: “Strangers in PARadISe,” Camille Saint-Saëns’ Orchestral Works, and Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique”
Diana Tishchenko’s a violinist well worth keeping an eye on; Jun Märkl leads the MSO in brisk, shapely readings of pieces by Saint-Saëns; Françoix-Xavier Roth and Les Siecles come up with some winning Berlioz.
Classical CD Reviews: “La Damnation de Faust,” Villa-Lobos’ Guitar & Harmonica Concertos, and Messiaen Orchestral Works
John Nelson’s La Damnation de Faust is a triumph; you will rarely encounter Villa-Lobos played with greater understanding or in better sound than here; Paavo Järvi and his orchestra’s survey of Messiaen orchestral works early and late is resplendent.
Top Classical Concerts and Recordings of 2019
Classical music continued to thrive, locally and globally, in 2019.
Concert Review: Blueswoman Samantha Fish — Promise Galore
While Samantha Fish shines with her guitar work on the new album, she impressed more with her singing live.
Music Review: New Releases of November 2019
Five tunes that will make it impossible to have a Blue Christmas.
Classical Album Reviews: Beethoven’s “Leonore,” Tesla Quartet’s “Joy & Desolation,” and Emmanuel Pahud’s “Dreamtime”
A fresh, bracing take on Beethoven as a dramatist, Tesla Quartet serves up refreshingly direct and emotionally-complex performances of Mozart, and flautist Emmanuel Pahud has crafted an ear-catching, unpredictable program.
Music and Concert Favorites 2019
Our expert music critics serve up their usual highly eclectic round-up of the year’s most memorable.