Music

Theater Review: “Next to Normal” Takes American Musicals Into the New Millennium

March 16, 2012
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This musical’s challenging, raw, and poignant storyline, along with the stunning work of the SpeakEasy Stage Company cast and designers create a can’t-be-missed, far from normal production.

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Concert Review: Yeol Eum Son at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA

March 9, 2012
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Ms. Son’s performance of Debussy’s Preludes nos. 3 – 8, while mostly note-perfect, was marked by a tentativeness that kept any of them from really blossoming.

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Music Feature: Follow the Lieder — Discovering Lazar Weiner’s Yiddish Art Song

March 8, 2012
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When the Boston Jewish Music Festival presented a special afternoon of Lazar Weiner’s Yiddish Art Songs, it became clear that it’s time for a reappraisal that will bring these small, intense gems back into broader musical circulation.

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Music Commentary: The Problem of the Jazz Piano Concerto – Side A

March 7, 2012
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When the jazz composer is the soloist, which is usually the case, he or she ironically revives one of the most venerable traditions in classical music.

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Coming Attractions in Underground Music: March 2012

March 4, 2012
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March brings a solid lineup of experimental music, including electronic and indie rock shows. The indisputable highlight of the month is Steve Reich at MIT.

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Classical Music Sampler: March 2012

March 3, 2012
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This month I am simply listing concerts I expect will be great. My pick of the month is the Boston debut of a new Flute, Viola, and Harp trio, starring instrumental superstars Marina Piccinini, Kim Kashkashian, and Sivan Magen.

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Concert Review: Alexander Baille and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra/Benjamin Zander at Sanders Theater

March 1, 2012
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The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra handled Lutosławski’s aleatoric textures with confidence, though the all-important brass interruptions felt more hesitant than decisive, making the work’s narrative quality rather episodic as opposed to smoothly flowing.

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Concert Review: Beethoven’s Missa solemnis at Symphony Hall

February 26, 2012
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John Oliver, director of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, deserves the thanks of all involved for his willingness to take on this unenviable assignment, as well as credit for ensuring that the performance didn’t fall off the tracks.

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Jazz Review / Commentary: Chick Corea’s “The Continents” and the Problem of the Jazz Piano Concerto

February 22, 2012
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Chick Corea’s “The Continents: Concerto for Jazz Quintet and Chamber Orchestra” is filled with tuneful melody, shows off some superb playing by the soloists, breaks new ground in a number of ways, and achieves nearly all of its ambitions.

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CD Reviews: John Adams — Harmonielehre and Short Ride in a Fast Machine (SFSO/Tilson Thomas)

February 21, 2012
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The recording was made in December 2010 in San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall, and reveals an orchestra fully at home in John Adams’ distinctive idiom.

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