A surprisingly moving collection, all of it mightily played and sung by musicians who clearly intuit John Harbison’s musical language.
BMOP/sound
Listening During Covid, Part 7: Celebrating the Diversity of American Music
New CD releases provide splendid performances of remarkable American music, from Barber and Bernstein to recently rediscovered Black composers Florence Price and William Grant Still.
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 Reviews: John Adams’ Chamber Symphonies — Built on Trust
BMOP’s performances of three John Adams chamber symphonies, all conducted by music director Gil Rose, offer welcome, distinctive takes on the triptych.
Classical CD Review: Elliott Carter Ballets
Bottom line: these are excellent performances and a valuable documentation of Elliott Carter’s early work.
Classical CD Reviews: Delibes Ballet Suites, John Williams in Vienna, and John Harbison Concertos
Terrific performances, blazing with color, character, and wonderful technique from Neeme Järvi and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra offer considerable pleasure with some misteps; another triumphant release from Gil Rose and the BMOP.
Classical Reviews: Boston Modern Orchestra Project plays Harold Shapero, Peter Lieberson’s “Songs of Love and Sorrow,” and Charles Ives’s Complete Symphonies
Discs dedicated to overlooked composers Harold Shapero and Peter Lieberson are well worth your attention. Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra don’t do well by Charles Ives’ final symphony, but the three preceding symphonies fare better.
Classical CD Reviews: David Del Tredici’s “Child Alice” and Scott Wollschleger’s “Soft Aberration”
Child Alice is an important addition to the recorded catalogue of major American symphonic music.
Classical CD Reviews: Boston Modern Orchestra Project plays Steven Stucky and Johannes Moser plays Elgar
BMOP releases a fitting, moving tribute to a giant of contemporary music; Johannes Moser turns in a sweeping performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto.
CD Reviews: Mascagni’s “Zanetto” and Thomson’s “Four Saints in Three Acts”
Odyssey Opera’s first commercially-released album is a fun showcase; BMOP delivers an excellent performance of Four Saints in Three Acts.