Whatever Rachmaninoff’s conflicted feelings about writing symphonies were, there’s nothing ambiguous about the content of his Second Symphony. From start to finish, it’s a marvel of melodic freshness and brilliant instrumentation.
Benjamin-Zander
Classical Music Preview: Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2022-23 Season
The season-long celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Benjamin Zander’s debut as a conductor, which gets underway later this month when the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) returns to the stage, doesn’t stint on festive spirit.
Classical Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic Orchestra plays Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8
This was an epic performance of an epic piece, steeped in Brucknerian character.
Classical Music Preview: Catching Up and Looking Ahead with Benjamin Zander on the BPO/BPYO Season
For Benjamin Zander and his musicians – as for all of us – it was a strange, even desperate, several months.
Concert Review: Lucas Debargue and the Boston Philharmonic at Sanders Theatre
A pianist of real character and refinement – plus a huge career in Europe – Lucas Debargue was on hand to lend his musicianship to a relatively rare outing of Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto no. 2.
Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at Symphony Hall
The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s first appearance of the season presented canonical selections without a hint of complacency or apathy.
Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic plays Beethoven and Rachmaninoff
Violinist Liza Ferschtman and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s account of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto lacked nothing for momentum and spirit.
Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic plays Mozart, Brahms, and Bartók
There was nothing sleepy or commonplace about the ensemble’s performance of favorites by Mozart, Brahms, and Bartók.
Arts Commentary: Some Thoughts on the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s 2019 Brazilian Tour
Suffice it to say, the tour was an extraordinary experience, musically and culturally, and, for me, a conspicuously potent introduction to a new continent.
Classical Music Review: The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in Brazil, Part One
The BPYO’s repertoire in Brazil is drawn from last year’s programs and is built around Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 2.