Music

Opera Review: “Nixon in China” at The Shalin Liu Performance Center

February 14, 2011
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Although its interior says 21st century, the Shalin Liu Performance Center has a homespun, American 19th-century facade that made me think of Mark Twain and the provincial opera houses of the California Gold Rush. Care was taken to reference the original Haskins Building that once housed a clothing store called Madras and the local yacht…

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Music Review: Oneohtrix Point Never — Returnal Makes Beautiful Noise

February 10, 2011
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With Returnal, Daniel Lopatin proves that noise can be beautiful and original. The album is a piece of (Neo?) New Age psychedelia, taking cues from the electronic experiments of the Berlin School. Returnal by Oneohtrix Point Never. Editions Mego By David Cooper In Returnal, Oneohtrix Point Never (OPN), aka Daniel Lopatin, advances the stagnant noise…

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Either/Orchestra: The 25th Anniversary Concert

February 8, 2011
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UPDATE: Either/Orchestra’s 25th anniversary concert comes to New York—an unforgettable confluence of talent revisiting more than two decades of memorable compositions and arrangements.

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Classical Music Review: Clear As a Joshua Bell

February 5, 2011
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The recipient of countless honors and awards, the perennially popular Joshua Bell, now 43, can still pass for a 20-something. He’s still slender with the same trademark head of straight, light brown, swinging hair (think Ringo in a shampoo commercial) that he’s always had. Joshua Bell, violin and Sam Haywood, piano. Presented by the Celebrity…

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Jazz Concert Review: BANN’s Likely Stories

February 4, 2011
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There’s something special going on among the four musicians in BANN that is very promising—something that makes me want to see the band live. I hope one of our local bookers picks up on them soon, so I don’t have to go to New York City to do so. As You Like by BANN [Seamus…

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Coming Attractions in Jazz: Early February 2011

February 3, 2011
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Wayne Shorter

Two rescheduled events—a celebration of Haiti and Mango Blue’s CD release—highlight the first half of February, along with a not-to-be-missed visit by Wayne Shorter and his Quartet.

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Fuse Book Review: Why Jazz? How Now?

January 31, 2011
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People who love jazz should read jazz history books periodically, and Kevin Whitehead, jazz critic on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, has done a great service in giving us a What, Who, Where, and When book with insight and ingenuity. Why Jazz?: A Concise Guide by Kevin Whitehead. Oxford University Press, 136 pp. of…

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Coming Attractions in Popular Music: February 2011

January 30, 2011
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After January’s brief hibernation, the pop music coming attractions column is back for the month of February to deliver what you crave: music, sweet music. (Cue dancing in the street.) Wait . . . what’s that you say? The streets are covered in snow? No problem: there are plenty of places to dance indoors while…

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Coming Attractions in Underground Music: February 2011

January 30, 2011
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Escape the cold with some good live music this February. These are the shows I would be going to if I had the time and resources. While some fit into the cultural zeitgeist more than others, I predict that all these shows will rule. I’ll show you the door; you take the trip. And say…

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Coming Attractions in Theater: February 2011

January 28, 2011
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A hold-onto-your seat month with some intriguing world premieres, including a musical version of a Korean folktale, an attempt to turn Aeschylus’s Prometheus Bound into a rock event, and a cerebral confab featuring Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli. By Bill Marx. King Lear by William Shakespeare. Directed by Michael Grandage. NT Live screens the…

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