A young ensemble, the USE is a technically accomplished one and, regardless of the interpretive strengths or weaknesses of each reading, the group’s sheer skill level is evenly impressive.
Bis
Classical Album Review: “Scenes from the Kalevala”
This disc highlights various, early-20th-century works inspired by the Kalevala, the Finnish creation epic. It is a fantastic demonstration of creative programming and invigorating orchestral performance.
October Short Fuses – Materia Critica
Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.
Classical Album Review: Escher String Quartet — Barber & Ives String Quartets
Here is an outstanding recording from the Escher String Quartet of music by two stylistically divergent 20th-century American composers, Samuel Barber and Charles Ives.
Classical Album Review: Saint-Saëns Symphonies courtesy of the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège and Jean-Jacques Kantorow
A welcome entry in complete sets of Camille Saint-Saëns’ five symphonies — a composer of his caliber deserves a wealth of viewpoints.
Classical CD Review: A Vibrantly Harrowing “Bluebeard’s Castle”
If this is your first Bluebeard’s Castle, Susanna Mälkki’s recording makes for a fine, occasionally inspired, introduction.
Classical Album Review: Minnesota Orchestra plays Mahler 10
There’s much to admire in the color, character, and urgency of the Minnesotans’ playing and the overall strong direction from conductor Osmo Vänskä.
Classical CD Reviews: Beethoven Chamber Music, Part 1 – Goerne & Lisiecki Lieder, Paul Lewis plays the Bagatelles, and Frank Peter Zimmermann plays Violin Sonatas
Three new discs do right by Beethoven’s chamber music.
Classical CD Reviews: “Clytemnestra,” Max Reger’s “Der Einsiedler,” and Richard Strauss “Lieder”
Soprano Ruby Hughes’ album is fine, well played, sung, and programmed; baritone Christoph Prégardien delivers vocal works by Mahler, Alexander von Zemlinsky, and Max Reger with warmth; soprano Diana Damrau is in her glorious prime singing the songs of Strauss.
Classical CD Reviews: “Aspects of America: The Pulitzer Edition,” Morton Gould “Symphonettes,” and Lindberg conducts Bernstein
Lovers of American music, don’t miss Aspects of America: The Pulitzer Edition ; Lindberg’s recording of Leonard Bernstein’s first two symphonies lacks a compelling command of the musician’s singular voice; the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra tackles four pieces by Morton Gould.