Critic's choices for 2006-07

Contrary to his earlier declaration, our music critic finds a way to attend the Philadelphia Orchestra’s concerts this year after all. Some of them, at least. Here's his concert schedule for 2006-07.

Dan Coren

Sep 20, 2006 · Articles · 3 minute read

Nancy Wilson at Verizon Hall

These days Nancy Wilson takes a while to get her act together. Or is that part of her act? Once she gets going, Wilson's audience sees a jazz diva in the full bloom of autumn, but with all the heart of spring.

Nancy Wilson. Opening of Kimmel Center’s Mellon Jazz Fridays series, at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, September 15, 2006. www.kimmelcenter.org.

Lewis Whittington

Sep 18, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

A feast from the Chamber Music Society

The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society reminds me of Southwest or Frontier Airlines competing against a legacy carrier: the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Orchestra can’t come close to meeting PCMS’s prices or to offering its richness of repertory. And not a single PCMS ticket is priced above $22.

Dan Coren

Sep 11, 2006 · Articles · 3 minute read

Chamber music lovers' alert

Heads-up for chamber music lovers: Two dates to circle for next season

If you’re looking for an opportunity to hear some of the greatest chamber music masterpieces— works that are much too rarely performed— here are two dates to circle on your calendar in 2007.

Dan Coren

Aug 10, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

My problem with Denyce Graves

The celebrated mezzo-soprano lacks the magnetic star quality that seizes an audience by the throat, as she demonstrated yet again in a guest appearance with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Music Center.

Denyce Graves with the Philadelphia Orchestra. At Mann Music Center, July 19, 2006. www.philorch.org.

Dan Rottenberg

Aug 01, 2006 · Articles · 3 minute read

Emanuel Ax plays the 'Emperor' Concerto

Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, performed by Emanuel Ax with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Mann Center, June 21, 2006. www.philorch.org.

All this, plus the Yankees and the summer solstice, too.

Dan Coren

Jul 03, 2006 · Articles · 1 minute read

Fresh insight into Eschenbach

In an old recording of Beethoven’s last piano sonata, our critic finds a link between Christoph Eschenbach and Thomas Mann’s fictitious stammering organ professor Wendell Kretschmar. And then he encounters Mitsuko Uchida.

Dan Coren

Jul 03, 2006 · Articles · 7 minute read

Pay to play on the Kimmel's organ

Contrary to what you read in the Inquirer, the Kimmel's "Pay to Play" organ event was no mere public-relations exercise. It was a showcase for a serious but often disrespected constituency: organists and composers of organ music.

Dan Coren

Jun 03, 2006 · Articles · 7 minute read

The Kimmel organ's debut

It was a pleasure to find a full and enthusiastic house at a Philadelphia Orchestra concert. But it took a novelty act to do it. The Kimmel organ’s debut concert itself was a sedate affair, notwithstanding the Gallic charm of Olivier Latry.

Philadelphia Orchestra. Christoph Eschenbach conducting, Olivier Latry, organist. May 11-13, 2006. at Kimmel Center. www.philorch.org.

Dan Coren

May 29, 2006 · Articles · 5 minute read

OCP's 'Marriage of Figaro'

Due to budget constraints, the new watchword at the Opera Company of Philadelphia is “conservative.” That’s a blessing for some operas— like this Mozart masterpiece— that simply need to be held up to the light.

The Marriage of Figaro. By Mozart; Opera Company of Philadelphia production directed by Robert Driver, conducted by Corrado Rovaris. May 5-21, 2006, at Academy of Music, (215) 893-3600 or www.operaphilly.com.

Daniel Webster

May 22, 2006 · Articles · 3 minute read