Philadelphia Singers discover Mendelssohn's sister

The sister also rises

As composers go, Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel may have been as talented as her brother Felix. The Philadelphia Singers reminded us that she deserves our attention.

Tom Purdom

Nov 01, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Heath Brothers: Vintage jazz at the Perelman

Good riddance to jazz clubs?

Even in their 80s, the jazz legends Jimmy and Tootie Heath still make terrific sounds together. They differ on just one issue: Does jazz sound best when served in clubs or in concert halls?

Lewis Whittington

Oct 29, 2011 · Articles · 2 minute read

Andrew Bird in Wilmington

Love me, love my sound equipment

Has technology changed the nature of musical performance? If a concert involves recordings, in what sense should it be considered a “live” performance?

Judy Weightman

Oct 25, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Classical Symphony's "likeable music'

Do I hear a saxophone?

Karl Middleman presented five pieces, including a world premiere, that prove the music of the last 70 years can be just as likeable as any divertimento penned by Mozart and Haydn.

Tom Purdom

Oct 25, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Mendelssohn Club with Orchestra 2001

From Poland to Istanbul

The Mendelssohn Club and Orchestra 2001 presented a joint concert that spanned a broad range of modern musical styles.

Tom Purdom

Oct 25, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

The end of the Orchestra?

Enjoy it while you can

The Philadelphia Orchestra under Charles Dutoit featured Lang Lang's mannered performance of the Liszt First Piano Concerto between Faure's wistful Pavane and Shostakovich's epic Tenth Symphony. The Orchestra was in good form, but the looming question remains: for how long?

Robert Zaller

Oct 25, 2011 · Articles · 6 minute read

Ama Deus Ensemble at the Perelman

Mozart Ó la Radu

Valentin Radu opened an ambitious series of concerts at the Perelman Theater with a program that includes his own uninhibited half-sitting, half-standing approach to playing and conducting Mozart's 23rd Piano Cconcerto.

Tom Purdom

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 2 minute read

Tempesta di Mare's tenth birthday bash

Celebrate good (Baroque) times

Tempesta di Mare celebrated its tenth anniversary with pieces saluting a royal birthday, a military victory and the sheer joy of making music.

Tom Purdom

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Opera Company's "Carmen' (2nd review)

Where's the edge?

The Opera Company of Philadelphia's production of Bizet's Carmen was a split decision: competent but not probing as a traditional staging of a Romantic classic, with the female leads coming off decidedly better than the males. Carmen. Opera by Georges Bizet. Directed by David Gately; Corrado Rovaris, conductor. Opera Company of Philadelphia production closed October 14, 2011 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust St. (215) 893-1999 or www.operaphila.org.

Robert Zaller

Oct 18, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

1807 & Friends: Forgotten woman composer

Rescued from obscurity

1807 & Friends opened its 31st season with a rare work by an 18th-Century woman composer, a masterpiece for the oboe, and one of the best loved works in the string quartet repertoire.

Tom Purdom

Oct 11, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read