Music
1944 results
Page 167
AVA's "La fiamma' (1st review)
Oh, those sexually repressed women
Ottorino Respighi as an opera composer? Yes, he wrote ten of them, and La fiamma, in a 75th-anniversary concert revival by the Academy of Vocal Arts, showed itself worthy of a place on the international stage.
Articles
4 minute read
Christoph Eschenbach returns
Eschenbach returns— twice, with no hard feelings
Christoph Eschenbach, the former and (by some) lamented music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, returned to take over the city's symphonic January in concerts with the Orchestra and the Curtis Symphony. If he was trying to suggest what Philadelphia has lost with his departure, he mostly made his case.
Articles
7 minute read
Orchestra's biggest problem: Its board
The trouble with the Orchestra: It's the board, not the musicians
Why is the Philadelphia Orchestra stuck in its rut? One spoiler has been obvious over 30 years: a board that cares more about its sovereignty than about what will make the Orchestra the best in its field.
Articles
3 minute read
"Sextet Spectacular' by 1807 & Friends
Reviewing the unreviewable
The latest 1807 & Friends program did everything a good chamber music session is supposed to do. So what else can you say?
Articles
2 minute read
Diaz, Denk et al at the Perelman
A classical music lover's plea: Can we please try the road less taken?
We all love Brahms, Mozart and Dvorak. Especially for these seasoned musicians, it's much easier to put together a Mozart Piano Quartet that they've all played before than to learn a contemporary piece. But seriously, there are other composers out there.
Articles
5 minute read
Do happy musicians play better?
Do happy musicians play better? (A rejoinder to Dan Rottenberg)
Does it matter whether or not musicians”“ especially musicians in a classical orchestra”“ seem to be personally enjoying the music they're playing? Given a certain level of musical excellence, it's really a very simple question in the end.
Philadelphia Orchestra: The old vs. the new
The 'old' Orchestra and the new
Was the old Ormandy Orchestra of blessed memory superior to today's? The question is really irrelevant. I've found sublime experiences in both. Consider, for example, the contrast between William de Pasquale (old) and Yumi Kendall (new).
Articles
3 minute read
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"Freeway Philharmonic': California's freelance musicians
The life of a freelance musician: California vs. Philadelphia
In 55 well-edited minutes, an insightful documentary captures the challenging life style of California's freelance classical musicians. Philadelphia freelancers— who constitute the backbone of a dozen local musical groups— will find here a reflection of their own unpredictable lives.
Articles
3 minute read
David Cohen: A one-man classical band
Yes we can (music dept.): A one-man classical band on a mission
David Cohen grew up in dire poverty in Philadelphia but made a career for himself, first as a pastry chef and then as a multi-talented musician. And at 47, he may just be getting started in promoting his twin passions: classical music and feeding the hungry.
Articles
6 minute read
The Crossing at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian
Taking chances at The Crossing
In its fourth year, The Crossing conveys a depth of vision and a commitment to innovative programming that many older, more-established choral ensembles would envy.
Articles
4 minute read