I was the mother of a teenaged garage band

Ever since Noah was small, I’ve taught him that rock and roll is more than music; it is, as Bruce insinuates, a religion.

Ilene Raymond Rush

Aug 15, 2014 · Articles · 4 minute read

Perseverance Jazz Band in Wallingford

Where did New Orleans jazz go? To Philly!

Traditional New Orleans jazz survives and flourishes some 1,300 miles to the northeast of its birthplace with the Perseverance Jazz Band.

Robert J. Robbins

Aug 10, 2014 · Articles · 4 minute read

Covent Garden’s ‘Manon Lescaut’

Tawdry as she goes

Covent Garden’s controversial porno-revival of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut was denounced as tawdry and coarse. Yet it did grip my attention. And it does support the opera’s key emotional point.

Steve Cohen

Jul 30, 2014 · Articles · 4 minute read

The Lorin Maazel I remember

A conductor who defied easy labels

Most of Lorin Maazel’s obituaries described him as a coldly intellectual and clinical conductor. I saw another side.

Steve Cohen

Jul 28, 2014 · Articles · 2 minute read

The premiere of 'Gold and Silver' in Helena

Symphony Under the Stars was in this, its 11th year, all Disney movie music and one work called Gold and Silver, a piece they asked me to compose.

Kile Smith

Jul 22, 2014 · Articles · 4 minute read

Minas in Media

A touch of Brazil

The "new thing" in Brazilian music is no longer new — but it's still infectiously enjoyable.

Robert J. Robbins

Jul 12, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

Townes Van Zandt: An appreciation

Townes Van Zandt was all artistry, and if he wasn’t popular, he nonetheless influenced many other musicians who were.

Michael Lawrence

Jul 12, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

When music trumped military force

When you have music, who needs guns?

Music has long been used by armies in battle to intimidate the enemy and bolster morale. We tend to forget that diplomats also used music to heal the scars after the fighting stopped. That’s what happened between European Christians and Muslim Turks.

Clarence Faulcon

Jul 07, 2014 · Articles · 4 minute read

City Rhythm Orchestra at Cooper River Park

Keeping the Big Band flame burning

City Rhythm Orchestra brought its swinging 12-piece edition to an outdoor concert on an evening with near-perfect weather.

Robert J. Robbins

Jul 05, 2014 · Articles · 2 minute read

Tchaikovsky's "Maid of Orleans" at the Academy of Vocal Arts

Workshopping Saint Joan

Ghenady Meirson’s Russian Opera Workshop offers local audiences a chance to hear promising young voices singing major works in an informal setting, with no admission charge.

Tom Purdom

Jul 01, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read