Orchestra performs Handel’s 'Messiah'

Beyond Handel’s dreams

For all his exuberant ambition, in this Messiah Yannick subordinated himself and his orchestra to that most beautiful of all instruments, the human voice.

Dan Rottenberg

Dec 12, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

The Dover Quartet at the Kimmel Center

Night pieces

The Dover Quartet is a terrific young group that should be giving pleasure for many years to come.

Robert Zaller

Dec 12, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

A jazz performance renaissance in Philadelphia

The beat goes on

After many years when it was hard to find live jazz, it's again being heard all around Philly.

Stacia Friedman

Dec 08, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

The Philadelphia Orchestra with Hilary Hahn

A spicy menu of works

The Philadelphia Orchestra cooked up a sizzling Carmen Suite No. 1 by Bizet, a delicious Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 4 played to perfection by Hilary Hahn, and a thankfully rare performance of the complete Firebird ballet, flat as a pancake until a searing finale almost saved the day.

Linda Holt

Dec 08, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

The Metropolitan Opera's 'Lulu'

A decadent opera by a civilized man

A sordid tale about sex and murder is the biggest hit of the Metropolitan Opera season. Surprisingly, its rewards are more intellectual than titillating.

Steve Cohen

Nov 24, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Keith Richards: 'Life' and 'Under the Influence'

The importance of being Keef

It's hard to separate Keith Richards, the man, from his depraved persona, but a Netflix documentary may finally do so.

Judy Weightmanand Illustration by Mike Jackson

Nov 17, 2015 · Articles · 6 minute read

The Michelangelo Quartet makes its Philadelphia debut

Beethoven, our contemporary

The Michelangelo Quartet made its long-delayed Philadelphia debut with a program of three of the medium’s masters, Haydn, Beethoven, and Shostakovich.

Robert Zaller

Nov 17, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

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