New Focus Recordings

Classical Album Reviews: Dvořák’s Poetic Tone Pictures, Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, & “Immensity Of”

December 23, 2022

Posted in Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review

A trio of reviews of recordings that include sadly neglected pieces by Dvořák, pianist Mitsuko Uchida’s phenomenal Diabelli Variations, and a haunting, arresting round-up of new music by the Departure Duo.

Classical Album Review: A Quietly Powerful Work for the Lorelei Ensemble Pays Homage to an Anti-Nazi Activist

July 25, 2022

Posted in Classical Music, Featured, Opera, Review

Thankfully, there is no melodramatic black-and-white in James Kallembach’s fascinating 36-minute work, first performed at Boston University by the Lorelei Ensemble in 2017.

September Short Fuses – Materia Critica

September 7, 2021

Posted in Books, Classical Music, Featured, Film, Jazz, Music, Short Fuses

Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.

Classical CD Reviews: François-Xavier Roth conducts Mahler, Mariss Jansons conducts Schumann & Schubert, and Daniel Lippel plays Steve Reich

June 3, 2019

Posted in Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review

François-Xavier Roth’s Mahler offers plenty of personality and ideas; there’s nothing on Mariss Jansons’ disc that’s really worth your time; guitarist Daniel Lippel draws out Steve Reich’s lyrical qualities.

Classical CD Reviews: Duo Noire’s “Night Triptych,” Justin Taylor’s “Continuum,” and Brahms’ “Ein deutsches Requiem”

September 15, 2018

Posted in Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review

Night Triptych is an important disc, but also an inviting one that takes you to some fresh places well worth experiencing. Also, another success for harpsichordist Justin Taylor, and a well-earned one at that.

Year-end CD Round-up, Part 1: Rosanne Philippens’ Prokofiev, Dover Quartet’s “Voices of Defiance,” Longleash’s “Passage,” Michael Gielen Edition Vol. 4, and Barbara Hannigan’s “Crazy Girl Crazy”

December 18, 2017

Posted in Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review

Reviews of performances that are energetic, immediate, muscular, and simply breathtaking.

Classical CD Reviews: David Del Tredici’s “Child Alice” and Scott Wollschleger’s “Soft Aberration”

December 5, 2017

Posted in Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review

Child Alice is an important addition to the recorded catalogue of major American symphonic music.