Orchestra's opening night

Yannick's inaugural: Just one slight problem

The Philadelphia Orchestra's opening concert amply demonstrated its musicians' ability to deliver memorable moments. Now, if only their managers could deliver an audience.

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 20, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

On music and politics

From Beethoven to Wagner: The political uses and abuses of music

What was Beethoven trying to say about Napoleon? What was Shostakovich trying to say about Stalin? Whom am I voting for? And why does it matter?

Kile Smith

Oct 20, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Piffaro's "Renaissance Towns'

The next best thing to a time machine

For 21st-Century Renaissance musicians, mastering a musical instrument is merely one of many challenges. They spend much of their professional lives studying the playing styles and even the ornaments of five centuries ago.

Tom Purdom

Oct 16, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Opera Company's "La Bohème'

With a litle help from Van Gogh and Renoir

When computer programs bring Impressionist paintings to life, an old chestnut like La Bohème becomes a whole new experience without sacrificing its setting or story.

Steve Cohen

Oct 02, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Chamber Orchestra: Brossé, Beethoven and Gatto

The Belgian connection

Dirk Brossé opened the Chamber Orchestra season with one of his own pieces and introduced Americans to a high-powered fellow Belgian violinist.

Tom Purdom

Oct 02, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Choral Arts' Rachmaninov "Vespers'

Cossacks in the cathedral

Choral Arts Philadelphia presented Rachmaninov's Vespers in an ideal setting, even if the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul rests on a slightly different religious tradition.

Tom Purdom

Oct 02, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

2012-13 music preview: Nine great coming attractions

From Yannick to the Black Watch: Nine music programs I wouldn't miss

Yannick, Ignat, Hilary Hahn, Natalie Zhu, bagpipes”¦ my cup runneth over for Philadelphia's coming music season. Here are nine programs I'm marking on my calendar.

Tom Purdom

Sep 25, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Orchestra 2001's John Cage centennial

Learning to love John Cage

How can anyone take an eccentric “composer” like John Cage seriously? The answer, as Orchestra 2001 demonstrated, involves looking beyond his admittedly bizarre antics.

Tom Purdom

Sep 18, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Why computers can't replace composers

But can a computer say ‘Oo oo oo'?

Computers already beat chess masters and produce notes for composers. But could they replace Beethoven or Puccini some day? The answer is no, for three reasons.

Kile Smith

Sep 11, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Poor Richard's "Falstaff' at Fringe Festival

Verdi meets Facebook

By raising surtitles to a supporting role, Poor Richard's Opera multiplied the fun that Verdi and Shakespeare built into the adventures of Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff. Opera by Giuseppe Verdi, from Shakespeare's play. Siddhartha Misra, stage director; Laurie Rogers, music director/conductor/surtitles; Ting Ting Wong, piano; Jeremy Gill, alternate conductor. Poor Richard's Opera production for Philadelphia Fringe Festival through September 15, 2012 at Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St. livearts-fringe.ticketleap.com/falstaff.

Tom Purdom

Sep 11, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read