Music Criticism
Nicholas Tochka is less interested in crafting a coherent portrayal of Charles Manson’s “musical lives” than in connecting his critical hypothesis of “the invention of the Sixties” to critical theories.
The Library of America volumes of Virgil Thomson’s writings will help reestablish him as one of the 20th century’s preeminent musical scribes.
A writer has to write for the now or to write for the ages. Gleason almost always chose the now, but his best moments go deeper.
If Real Life Rock‘s page count seems daunting, fear not. There isn’t an entry you’ll want to skip.
Tim Page on a generous sampling of Virgil Thomson’s best music criticism – trenchant, outspoken, oftentimes delightfully clever, and always assured.
Arts Commentary: Reviewing Music, Re-viewed
Our opera-loving reviewer contrasts his own pieces, written 48 years apart, on the same Offenbach operetta.
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