Bach, Christians and anti-Semitism: A reply

Fixing blame for anti-Semitism: A Christian perspective

Bach wasn't anti-Semitic, and neither is his St. John Passion. Neither was St. John himself. True Christians understand that Christianity is Jewish through and through.

Kile Smith

Apr 24, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Joshua Bell at Verizon Hall

On taking Joshua Bell seriously

At 44, the violinist Joshua Bell is no longer a child prodigy, but he's still a matinee idol. His latest concert served notice that he's been taking himself seriously as a major classical musician all along as well.

Steve Cohen

Apr 21, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

I remember Dick Clark

Dick Clark, and a hint of things to come

A couple of lucky breaks brought Dick Clark to “Bandstand” and then national acclaim as big brother figure to America's teenagers. But Clark knew how to make the most of his opportunities, as I witnessed firsthand early in his career.

Steve Cohen

Apr 21, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Dolce Suono's "Russian Roots'

Shulamit Ran finds the ‘soul of the instrument'

Shulamit Ran, ending her composer-in-residence stint with Dolce Suono, seems to have uncovered heavenly aspects of the flute and viola previously hidden from other inquiring theologians.

Tom Purdom

Apr 17, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Orchestra plays Bartok and Stravinsky

Where lesser orchestras fear to tread

Two milestone works by Bartok and Stravinsky are rarely performed together because of the massively difficult effort involved. The Orchestra provided a rare chance to compare two great modern composers who changed the face of 20th Century music.

Victor L. Schermer

Apr 17, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Bach Festival's "St. John Passion' and anti-Semitism

Bach, King Frederick and the Jews

Why did Bach immortalize the anti-Jewish Gospel of St. John? The question is worth considering during times of racial and religious intolerance, such as the present.

Steve Cohen

Apr 17, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Massenet's "Manon' at the Met

Those thighs, that bosom, that voice

When Anna Netrebko as the shameless Manon seduces Des Grieux the priest, the chemistry is hotter than Carmen's seduction of Don José. She was in terrific voice too, even though the action made it hard to focus on the singing.

Steve Cohen

Apr 17, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

View from the percussion section

Where are we? Or: My brilliant career as a percussionist

So you think it's easy to play percussion in an orchestra? That's what I thought, until I tried it.

Kile Smith

Apr 10, 2012 · Articles · 6 minute read

Verdi's "Requiem' by Vox Ama Deus

Vox confronts the 19th Century

Valentin Radu once again expanded the range of Vox Ama Deus, taking on the passion and flamboyance of a 19th-Century masterpiece that's generally performed by large modern orchestras.

Tom Purdom

Apr 10, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Piffaro's 'West Becomes East'

Subverting the Conquistadores

The Spanish Conquistadores brought Renaissance and Baroque music to South America's native cultures. But as Piffaro's latest program demonstrated, the natives put their own stamp on everything from Psalms to Christmas.

Tom Purdom

Apr 03, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read