Dolce Suono's tribute to Julius Baker

A celebration of musical genealogy

Mimi Stillman presents an imaginative tribute to the musician she considers “another grandfather.”

Tom Purdom

Jan 20, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Nice music

Nice music mimics the past, thrives on expectations, and never breaks ground. It won’t make you think, though it might make you feel nostalgic or sentimental. It never makes you listen, since there’s nothing to hear.

Michael Lawrence

Jan 13, 2015 · Articles · 2 minute read

Hilary Hahn, Robert deMaine, and Natalie Zhu

The soloist plays with a team

Hilary Hahn offers local audiences a rare chance to hear her play in a chamber ensemble and demonstrates, once again, the all-important virtue that’s made her an international star.

Tom Purdom

Jan 13, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Three Bach concerts

Transcending the parochial

Why would almost 500 people listen to six Bach cantatas on New Year’s Eve and feel they had a good time?

Tom Purdom

Jan 06, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Terry Riley's 'In C' at the Kimmel Center

In C in the round

A retro-themed performance marked the 50th anniversary of Terry Riley's In C, a foundational piece of minimalist music.

Thomas Patteson

Jan 06, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Cirque de la Symphonie at Verizon Hall

Odd couple

What could be more ridiculous than gymnasts and jugglers performing with a world-class symphonic orchestra? Did I mention that I had a great time?

Dan Rottenberg

Jan 06, 2015 · Articles · 2 minute read

Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve concert

Party boy

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve concert rarely delivers momentous musical insight. It does, however, reveal a critical distinction between Yannick Nézet-Séguin and his illustrious predecessors.

Dan Rottenberg

Jan 03, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Remembering Buddy DeFranco

A cool cat and a great guy

Buddy DeFranco brought the clarinet to bebop, and the world was better for it.

Bruce Klauber

Dec 30, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

Piffaro's holiday concert, Mediterranean Holiday

A Christmas card from Renaissance Naples

Piffaro presented a Christmas program that emphasized the gentler moods of the season.

Tom Purdom

Dec 23, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

Met’s ‘Die Meistersinger' in HDTV

Why Die Meistersinger matters

Dare anyone criticize Die Meistersinger? Yes, constantly — because many critics miss Wagner’s point: to bring to life the details of a specific German city at a particular time when religious custom mattered more than nationalism.

Steve Cohen

Dec 22, 2014 · Articles · 6 minute read