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.
John Harbison
Classical Music CD Review: Radius Ensemble’s Refreshing “Fresh Paint”
The disc offers a rewarding look at the work of four local composers and also showcases the members of Radius Ensemble in a warm, winning light.
Fuse Concert Review: Radius Ensemble’s Season Finale
The Rasas are but the latest in a series of remarkable scores John Harbison has been turning out over his eighth decade.
Classical Music Review: Cantata Singers — A Soul-Stirring Performance
There was no question that Music Director David Hoose loves these four pieces. The chorus was meticulously prepared, and sounded wonderful.
Classical Music Review/Commentary: BSO / Pianist Kirill Gerstein – Whose America?
The BSO’s Americana concert could only provide four beautiful snapshots of a very complicated landscape.
Commentary/CD Reviews: Recent Symphonic Recordings From Boston Orchestras
A series of new and recent recordings by Boston orchestras demonstrate that, in the right hands, symphonic music since 1945 remains alive and well, still powerful, fresh, and vibrant.
Music Feature: Notable Classical Recordings of 2014
Feel free to disagree, add to them, come up with your own list, etc. Above all, enjoy!
Classical CD Reviews: Camerata Pacifica plays John Harbison; Jean-Guihen Queyras and Alexander Melnikov perform Beethoven
Camerata Pacifica does right by John Harbison. And when it comes to Beethoven’s music for cello and piano, Jean-Guihen Queyras and Alexander Melnikov are tops.
REVISED: Judicial Review #11: “The Great Gatsby” — A Great Opera?
This Judicial Review deals with the Boston premiere of John Harbison’s opera version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Read the reactions and join the conversation.
Classical CD Reviews: John Harbison’s “Winter’s Tale” (Soloists, Boston Modern Orchestra Project/Gil Rose) and Derek Bermel’s Canzonas Americanas (Alarm Will Sound/Alan Pierson)
If you think contemporary music is the domain of fusty academics and has no bearing on (or relationship to) the outside world, you really need to check out “Canzonas Americanas.”