Working within the forms perfected by Haydn and Mozart, Beethoven early compositions managed to say some things that remain compelling to hear.
Mozart
Classical Music Review: The Composer Focus Series Asks — “Mozart?”
This performance of contemporary pieces inspired by Mozart came with a touch of the playfully interrogative.
Concert Review: Emmanuel Music Performs Mozart’s Rarely Staged Operatic Salute to Forgiveness — “La Clemenza di Tito”
Emmanuel Music bought this neglected Mozart opera to life with polished musicianship and excellent singers.
Classical Music Review: ‘Idomeneo’
Mozart wrote some wonderful music in Idomeneo for his wind players, who were up to the task under the capable baton of David Angus. Reviewed By Caldwell Titcomb Turning out an enormous amount of music in a host of genres during his short life (1756–91), Mozart felt that opera was his most important task. It […]
Culture Vulture: In Search of Beethoven
Filled with great insights, musical and other, Phil Grabsky’s wonderful documentary on Beethoven depicts “a man of huge intellect and huge heart.” In Search of Beethoven, a documentary by Phil Grabsky (UK, 2009, 139 min). At the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, Wednesday Jan. 13 at 3:05 pm, Thursday January 14 at 5:10 pm., […]
Book Review: Mozart – The Early Years
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and just about every classical performing group is paying tribute. Enterprising souls are marketing everything from standard keepsakes to off-the-wall Mozart items. Mozart Salami, anyone? “Mozart: The Early Years, 1756-1781″ by Stanley Sadie. (Norton) By Mary Ann Nichols Among the more erudite celebrations of the event […]
Classical Music Commentary: Mozart Mania
The composer turns 250 this year and everyone is trying to cash in on the worldwide party. By Mark Kroll You might not know if 2006 is the year of the dog or the dragon in the Chinese calendar, but you couldn’t have possibly missed the news that this year marks the 250th anniversary of […]
Classical CDs Review: New Tricks for Old Ponies
Recent stand-out classical recordings boast fresh interpretations of familiar works, recordings of little-known repertoire, and some legendary performances by Pablo Casals. By Mark Kroll Harmonia Mundi has an excellent new recording of Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” with Rene Jacobs and his Concerto Koln taking just the right approach to Mozart’s great comic opera. The packaging […]