AVA's 'Don Giovanni'

A libertine who almost gets away with it

The opening night patrons at AVA saw a superb performance that rivaled the Don Giovannis of major opera houses.

Steve Cohen

Nov 10, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Stillman and Abramovic; Prism Quartet; Bengtson

CDs featuring Philly-area performers

Three recent CDs highlight performances by Philadelphia area musicians.

Nov 09, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

'Chopin without Piano' at Fringe Arts

A perverse concept

Some of Barbara Wysocka's theatricality crossed the line into sensationalism, but the overall effect of the performance was highly stimulating, as she revealed a vivid sense of history and also a deep love for the music of Chopin.

Nov 03, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Loreena McKennitt at the Keswick

A musical odyssey

Over a career now spanning three decades, Loreena McKennitt remains a singular artist who resists easy categorization.

Mark Wolverton

Nov 03, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Marin Alsop Conducts the Shostakovich Fifth

'This game may end badly'

The Philadelphia Orchestra stepped through its paces as a chamber ensemble, a jazz band, and a full symphonic ensemble in its program with guest conductor Marin Alsop.

Robert Zaller

Nov 03, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

On the importance of melody

Myth and melody

Music isn’t broken into the three parts of melody, harmony, and rhythm. It’s just melody.

Kile Smith

Oct 27, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

In search of Philadelphia operas

Kitty Foyle and yellow fever, set to music?

With all this operatic creativity, money, and synergy in Philadelphia nowadays, how come no one past or present has written an opera that takes place in Philadelphia?

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 27, 2015 · Articles · 6 minute read

PCMS presents the Borodin Quartet

Heavenly delights

The intimate collaboration between Shostakovich and the Borodin Quartet is one of the most remarkable relationships in musical history, and it would warrant the Borodin a special place in cultural memory even if it had long since disbanded. Instead, it's celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Robert Zaller

Oct 19, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

Verdi's 'Otello' at the Metropolitan Opera

Is blackface necessary?

The ill-considered decision to use a white Otello in the Met's current production of Otello stole attention that should have been focused on the musical performance led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Steve Cohen

Oct 13, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Tom Lawton's 'Man Ray Jazz Suite'

Where the ear meets the eye

Tom Lawton's Man Ray Jazz Suite, performed in the main hall of the Art Museum, was a stunning musical evening that combined the intimate, spontaneous experience of a jazz club with the seriousness of a classical concert.

Victor L. Schermer

Oct 13, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read