Wagner's "Ring' cycle (Part 2)

The Ring keeps changing (but then, so did Wagner)

For the past half-century, producers of Wagner's Ring have focused on the characters' psychology, much more than on the telling of a story. Instead of celebrating German forests, castles and genius, they tapped into themes like fear of death and loss of control. All well and good. But must the original version disappear altogether?

Steve Cohen

Apr 28, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

The Baroque revival: Three concerts

Telemann's revenge, or: The sheer delight of going for Baroque

For musicians, today's Baroque revival has created new opportunities and challenges. For those of us who sit in the audience, it has broadened our experience and added new names to the musical firmament that were once long forgotten.

Tom Purdom

Apr 25, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Sandro Russo's Lisztomania

Franz Liszt is his agent

The pianist Sandro Russo has no agent, but his obsession with the music of Franz Liszt has opened global opportunities for him. His latest coup: a DVD recorded on Liszt's own 1862 Bechstein piano. (With a video excerpt of Russo playing Liszt's Bechstein.)

Maria Thompson Corley

Apr 21, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

Masur conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra

Do I hear a symphony— before intermission?

By opening with a symphony, the popular guest conductor Kurt Masur challenged the established order of things at the Philadelphia Orchestra. In his closing piece he demonstrated a dash of audience savvy as well.

Tom Purdom

Apr 21, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Time-hopping with Ancient Instruments

Swept away by a Romantic sound

America's oldest active period instrument organization presented one of the most educational interludes I've experienced at a concert. The moment the big emotional voice of Vivian Barton Dozor's cello filled Old First Reformed, I understood why the Romantic movement had captivated Europe and swept away most of the music that preceded it.

Tom Purdom

Apr 14, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Network For New Music: Composing for painting

If Thomas Eakins could carry a tune…

The Network for New Music asked three composers to create works based on paintings— and these composers actually did what they were asked to do.

Tom Purdom

Apr 07, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

YsaÓ¿e Quartet at Perelman Theater

Three composers face the final curtain

The YsaÓ¿e Quartet, named for the Belgian violinist Eugene YsaÓ¿e, plays with exquisite refinement and sensitivity. Unlike the steak-and-eggs mishmash offered by so many concert programs, the YsaÓ¿e's combination of late and last works by Fauré, Bartok and Franck was thoughtful and suggestive.

Robert Zaller

Apr 07, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

"The Loathly Lady' at Penn

Freud's riddle as musical comedy

What do women want? The Penn Humanities Forum recruits a world-class early music team for the world premiere of a musical comedy about an endlessly fascinating quest. It's a stimulating evening, albeit one skewed against men.

Tom Purdom

Apr 07, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Guitarist John Williams at Perelman Theater

The casual virtuoso

Some virtuosos are all about showing you how good they are. John Williams is just the opposite: He actually makes you forget just how good he is, because he never allows his technical virtuosity to overshadow the essential musicality of whatever he's playing.

Mark Wolverton

Mar 28, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

Classical Symphony's "Americans in Paris'

The birth of the world (and jazz too)

The Classical Symphony's music director, Karl Middleman, spotlights a fruitful combination: Paris and jazz.

Tom Purdom

Mar 28, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read