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

Handel and Davies operas at Curtis

Hokey but effective

Curtis paired two short operas that deal with unrequited love but otherwise have little in common, aside from their ingenious staging by Chas Rader-Shieber. Soprano Anna Davidson's bravura turn as a jilted bride was well worth watching and hearing, notwithstanding the painful atonal score she was dealt.

Steve Cohen

Oct 09, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Mysteries of conducting, with Sean Newhouse

What do conductors really do? A conversation with Sean Newhouse

What does an orchestra conductor really accomplish when he waves his baton? The Boston Symphony's young assistant Sean Newhouse, rushed into the spotlight this year to replace the ailing maestro James Levine, reflects on aspects of his job that most audiences take for granted.

Victor L. Schermer

Oct 09, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Tony Bennett's "Duets II' CD

Who is Tony Bennett's best singing partner? And the answer is…..

Yielding to an old gimmick in his 80s, the crooner Tony Bennett has produced two albums of duets sung with contemporary singers. Some of these duets work better than others, but the prime attraction, as always, is Bennett himself.

Armen Pandola

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read