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Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic plays Beethoven and Rachmaninoff

November 16, 2019
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Violinist Liza Ferschtman and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s account of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto lacked nothing for momentum and spirit.

Classical CD Reviews: George Li plays Tchaikovsky, Jansons conducts Shostakovich, and Andris Nelsons conducts BSO premieres

November 16, 2019
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Terrific, fiery playing from George Li, one of the most compelling young pianists on the scene; Mariss Jansons’ recording of Shostakovich’s Tenth trudges from start to finish; irrefutable proof of Andris Nelsons’ excellence as a new-music conductor.

Concert Review: Tool — Defying Convention

November 15, 2019
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Tool is going to remain relevant as long as the band can still effectively unleash its nightmare-ish delights for fervid fans.

Author Interview: “The Cult of Trump” — Deprogramming the GOP

November 15, 2019
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When someone recommended to Steven Hassan he write a volume called The Cult of Trump, “it just seemed like the most important book I could write, frankly.”

Classical CD Reviews: Rattle conducts Bruckner, Jurowski conducts Mahler, and Fischer conducts Saint-Saëns

November 15, 2019
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Simon Rattle’s Bruckner is, on the whole, lean and lively; if you’re looking for a new Mahler Four, Vladimir Jurowski’s is the one to check out; Thierry Fischer leads performances of each symphony that take Saint-Saëns’ writing seriously.

Book Review: Biographies of Lou Reed and Warren Zevon — Satisfying Lives of Singular Talents

November 15, 2019
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Two recent biographies take very different approaches as they revel in the wild lives and examine the distinctive songs of two of rock music’s most enigmatic figures: Lou Reed and Warren Zevon.

Jazz Album Review: Karl Berger and Jason Kao Hwang “Conjure” Freely

November 15, 2019
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These are two practiced masters at free improvisation. I am confident that many listeners will find them as intriguing and accomplished as I do.

Concert Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra plays Jolas, Ravel, and Shostakovich

November 14, 2019
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In the right hands, Shostakovich’s Twelfth can come off as nothing less than an intriguing, lively symphonic essay.

Jazz Albums Review: The ‘Season’ of Newvelle Muri — Adventurous, Sure-Footed, and Strikingly Lyrical

November 14, 2019
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The sound on these discs couldn’t be more clear or precise; the music is low-key, thoughtful, and resolutely melodious.

Author Interview: Pulitzer Prize Winner David W. Blight — Speaking of Frederick Douglass in the Witch City

November 13, 2019
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“You can read Frederick Douglass forever and still just encounter new things, new ideas, new passages, new phrases. He’s that kind of writer. It’s like reading Emerson or even Shakespeare.”

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