Philadelphia Orchestra on the brink

When musicians leave, who's responsible?

Add trumpeter David Bilger to the growing roster of Philadelphia Orchestra musicians leaving for more secure if not greener pastures. But the executive and board leadership should walk the plank instead.

Robert Zaller

Aug 14, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Allen Krantz revives Wencelas Matiegka

Reviving the guitar (with a little help from the Internet)

Beethoven's contemporary Wencelas Matiegka wrote 11 solos for guitar that were forgotten after his death. Now, thanks to the Internet and the guitarist/arranger Allen Krantz, they've been resuscitated.

Tom Purdom

Aug 09, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Menotti's "The Consul' at Princeton

A Cold War surprise

I had begun to believe that Menotti's The Consul was an unworthy relic of an outdated era. In Princeton last month, to my astonishment, it demonstrated both dramatic and musical strength.

Steve Cohen

Aug 06, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Russian National Orchestra with gymnasts at the Mann

Musical muscle

Cirque de La Symphonie is a troupe of aerialists, acrobats and tricksters who perform with classical orchestras. In our visual age, what better way to stimulate fresh interest in serious music?

Aug 02, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Wister Quartet's "Summer Bits and Pieces'

Shorthanded in Fairmount Park

The Wister Quartet, reduced to a trio, responded by showcasing the overlooked talents of its three remaining members.

Tom Purdom

Jul 26, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

How today's orchestras succeed

Earth to Philadelphia Orchestra: It's the Internet, stupid

While the Philadelphia Orchestra struggles in bankruptcy, many major orchestras around the world are flourishing. These “21st-Century orchestras” have seized the marketing and PR possibilities of the Internet in imaginative ways that have so far eluded the timid Philadelphians.

Clarence Faulcon

Jul 19, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Dolce Suono at Laurel Hill

High-level High Baroque

The Dolce Suono Trio manages a successful hop between 20th Century America and 18th Century Europe.

Tom Purdom

Jul 12, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Lenape Chamber Ensemble's 25th anniversary concerts

The evolving Western mind, in three pieces

For its 25th anniversary concerts, the Lenape Chamber Ensemble offers a quick lesson in modern sensibility: The line from Haydn to Dvorak to Shostakovich defines the ascent of individuality, self-consciousness and inner conflict in Western thought.

Victor L. Schermer

Jul 12, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Pirates of Penzance' in Oregon

Hoisting the Victorians, Oregon-style

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, in its 76th year, has discovered new territory: Gilbert and Sullivan. In The Pirates of Penzance, the Festival demonstrates that lampooning Victorian assumptions remains as relevant as ever.

Marshall A. Ledger

Jul 05, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Andrew Rudin's 40-year retrospective

Grand old man of new music

The new music composer Andrew Rudin has accumulated an impressive body of work for more than 40 years— not by imitating old masters, but achieving the same impact in his own way.

Tom Purdom

Jul 02, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read