Music Criticism

Arts Commentary: Reviewing Music, Re-viewed

July 14, 2020
Posted in , , , ,

Our opera-loving reviewer contrasts his own pieces, written 48 years apart, on the same Offenbach operetta.

Read More

Book Review: The Joy and Glory of Virgil Thomson’s “The State of Music & Other Writings”

October 12, 2016
Posted in , ,

The Library of America volumes of Virgil Thomson’s writings will help reestablish him as one of the 20th century’s preeminent musical scribes.

Read More

Book Review and Commentary: Testaments to the Wonderful Ears of Ralph J. Gleason

July 26, 2016
Posted in , , , , , ,

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.

Read More

Book Review: “Real Life Rock”— Decades of Quick Hits from Critic Greil Marcus

October 26, 2015
Posted in , , , ,

If Real Life Rock‘s page count seems daunting, fear not. There isn’t an entry you’ll want to skip.

Read More

Arts Interview: Tim Page on the “Virgil Thomson: Music Chronicles, 1940-1954”

December 11, 2014
Posted in , ,

Tim Page on a generous sampling of Virgil Thomson’s best music criticism – trenchant, outspoken, oftentimes delightfully clever, and always assured.

Read More

Recent Posts