Piffaro's "Portuguese Vespers'

‘God's musicians come from Portugal'

Piffaro presents a historically accurate Vesper service that combines good-humored Portuguese nationalism with a tribute to the Virgin Mary.

Tom Purdom

Nov 17, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Classical Symphony's 19th-Century musicale

Pregnant girlfriends, and other 19th-Century curiosities

Karl Middleman presents a 21st- Century version of a 19th-Century event that acquired a history without actually taking place.

Tom Purdom

Nov 17, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Philadelphia Singers: A lesson in economy

Like Hemingway in music

The Philadelphia Singers have largely abandoned the Baroque and classic choral repertoire to focus on more modern scores. Their first concert this season produced a triumph for the new approach, as well as a four-part lesson in the relationship between music and words.

Tom Purdom

Nov 10, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Musicians and money

The art of the musical deal

No one goes into a musical career for the money, but even passionate musicians need to eat, as I was reminded when I bargained with a dedicated amateur clarinetist named Tom Sanders.

Maria Thompson Corley

Nov 07, 2009 · Articles · 7 minute read

Jurowski awakens the Orchestra

The buzz is back

The combination of Vladimir Jurowski's inspired Slavic programming and the exciting young Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan generated the sort of intermission buzz that hasn't been heard at Philadelphia Orchestra concerts for a good while.

Steve Cohen

Nov 07, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

The Orchestra's strange new "Collections'

If it's Tuesday, these must be Masterworks

As the result of a survey three years ago, the Philadelphia Orchestra now offers subscribers four “collections” of concerts. But the guidelines for each “collection” seem arbitrary, if not amorphous.

Steve Cohen

Nov 07, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

Critic's Notebook: Five concerts

Immersed in the musicsphere: A critic's notebook

Eight days, five concerts. If a music critic like me blogged or twittered, here's what I'd say.

Tom Purdom

Nov 03, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

Andre Watts Plays Schubert and Liszt

A former child prodigy's brilliant autumn

On an otherwise dreary Sunday afternoon, Andre Watts lit up the musical world with stellar performances of piano works by two stylistically different composers. Among other achievements, Watts brought out a depth in Liszt that few performers have accomplished.

Victor L. Schermer

Nov 03, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Tempesta di Mare: Telemann vs. Bach

Score one for the underdog

George Philip Telemann, the also-ran of Baroque composers, goes up against the heavyweight champ (Bach) and scores a rare knockout.

Oct 27, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Opera Company's "Madame Butterfly' (2nd review)

Butterfly, improved yet again

This Butterfly was perhaps the most beautiful I've ever seen. Virtually everything about it suits the legend and never intrudes on the story. I have only two quibbles.

Steve Cohen

Oct 26, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read