Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, television, film, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.
David Lang
Classical CD Reviews: Michael Daugherty’s “This Land Sings,” Ethel Smyth’s “The Prison,” and David Lang’s “prisoner of the state”
A welcome political homage to Woody Guthrie, a new recording of Ethel Smyth’s 1931 choral symphony makes a strong case for a full reconsideration of her output, and David Lang’s rejiggering of Beethoven’s Fidelio is both stirring and timeless.
Classical CD Reviews: David Lang’s “love fail,” Christopher Rouse’s Orchestral Music, and Hub New Music’s “Soul House”
For fans of David Lang and/or one of the country’s best choirs, this is a can’t-miss release; Christopher Rouse’s Fifth is about as fresh and engaging a Symphony as the composer wrote; Hub New Music plays the daylights out of Robert Honstein’s Soul House.
Concert Review: Emmanuel Music’s Late Night Show
David Lang’s score is hypnotic, and Emmanuel Music’s quartet of singers gave wonderful renditions.
Theater Review: Yale Rep’s “Caucasian Chalk Circle” — Singing Well About Our Dark Times
Those who want to experience the brilliance of Bertolt Brecht at its mellowest should head down to Yale Rep’s lively and moving production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle.