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

Mendelssohn Club: "Battle Hymns'

Battle Hymns, revisited

The Mendelssohn Club offers a second look at David Lang's new Battle Hymns. Four other Philadelphia music organizations collectively demonstrated the range and variety of Philadelphia's music season.

Tom Purdom

Oct 20, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Streisand's "Love Is the Answer'

The lioness in autumn

Barbra Streisand's tastes have often changed over the past 40 years. Now, at 67, she has come out with an album of self-reflective songs performed by a great singer in the autumn of her years.

Armen Pandola

Oct 20, 2009 · Articles · 6 minute read

The LA Philharmonic: New hall, new leader

Learning from Los Angeles: A great new hall and a great new conductor

While the Philadelphia Orchestra flounders for lack of leadership, the Los Angeles Philharmonic unveiled its hot young Venezuelan conductor, Gustavo Dudamel.

Lesley Valdes

Oct 15, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

Philadelphia Orchestra's quandary (and Yuja Wang)

The Orchestra's Peggy Lee moment

Last weekend's Philadelphia Orchestra program seemed aimed at the ghosts of Eugene Ormandy's old crowd. Charles Dutoit isn't giving us the type of innovative programming he provided in his young conducting days in Montreal.

Steve Cohen

Oct 15, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Opera Company's "Madame Butterfly' (1st review)

Passions of the Orient

Director Cynthia Stokes evokes mythic resonances in the Opera Company's Madame Butterfly, and soprano Ermonela Jaho gives a vocally and dramatically commanding performance in the title role. The striking set and lighting design complete this fresh and impressively conceived view of one of opera's perennial classics.

Robert Zaller

Oct 12, 2009 · Articles · 6 minute read