Music

Book Review: “Jazz With a Beat: Small Group Swing, 1940-1960” — Told With an Edge

February 27, 2024
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Shouting and honking saxes made visceral appeals to the emotions and the body. For jazz critics, this kind of theatricality degraded what should have been ‘Art.’

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Classical Album Reviews: “African American Voices 2” & “A Room of Her Own”

February 24, 2024
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Kellen Gray and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra continue its mission of bringing vital music to life; the Neave Trio releases an album of gems, a survey of piano trios by four women.

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Concert Review: Yunchan Lim — The BSO Brings in a Pianist to Watch

February 23, 2024
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Pianist Yunchan Lim struck an arresting balance between thunderous drama and filigreed lyricism as he tackled Rachmaninoff’s knuckle-busting score.

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Classical Album Reviews: Violinists Frank Peter Zimmermann and James Ehnes play Stravinsky

February 23, 2024
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Franz Peter Zimmermann’s rendition of Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto overflows with style and character; James Ehnes’ version is generally warmer and more relaxed, though it doesn’t lack for rhythmic zip.

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Classical Album Reviews: “A Lionel Tertis Celebration” and “Laws of Solitude”

February 21, 2024
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Violist Timothy Ridout’s new double-album “A Lionel Tertis Celebration” is heartily recommended; soprano Asmik Grigorian’s “Laws of Solitude” not so much.

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Concert Review: Cat Power — Sharing Life on the Tightrope That Is Live Performance

February 20, 2024
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Cat Power transformed Dylan’s songs across a 90-minute set that appeared organically studied, slightly unsettled, and ultimately sublime, as the singer rode the arc from a shadowy “She Belongs to Me” to an exultant “Like a Rolling Stone.”

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Book Review: “Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon” — Overcome by Madness

February 20, 2024
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“Drums & Demons” is at times frustratingly unclear on dates, but its research is comprehensive about the brilliant career and disasterous end of drummer Jim Gordon.

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Concert Review: Du Bois Orchestra Serves Up a Feast of Music by Black Composers

February 19, 2024
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The performance conveyed the essence of the Du Bois Orchestra’s mission: when played with exuberance, long-neglected and little-played works can generate as much excitement as they do wonder that they were ever overlooked.

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Concert Review: Cowboy Junkies — Still Outside the Mainstream

February 18, 2024
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For years now, Cowboy Junkies has been bringing its brand of contemplative, atmospheric rock ’n’ roll into a patchwork of independent venues in our region.

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Opera Album Review: A Short but Virtuosic Opera from 1786 Receives Its First Recording

February 17, 2024
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Even without international-caliber singers and players, Giovanni Piaisello’s “Amor vendicato” works much magic.

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