The Classical Review

BSO gives Glass’s “Lincoln” Symphony a noble sendoff at Tanglewood

Karen Kamensek conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” ...
The Classical Review

With luminous Sibelius and rousing Strauss, Mäkelä and Chicago Symphony prepare to take it on the road

Klaus Mäkelä conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in music of Sibelius and Richard Strauss Thursday night. Photo: Todd Rosenberg A pair of contrasted heroes made up the Chicago Symphony ...
The Classical Review

Guerrero, Grant Park Orchestra give rousing, eloquent performance of Copland’s Third

It’s been a good month for Aaron Copland in Chicago. Coming off an extended period of local neglect, the composer’s Appalachian Spring and Lincoln Portrait have been played by the Chicago Symphony ...
The Classical Review

Piano worlds collide with a pair of compelling new releases

Garrop: Invictus. Joie de vivre. Marta Aznavoorian, pianist. Scott Speck, conductor/Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra (Cedille). Two recent recordings present compelling music for piano cast in starkly ...
The Classical Review

Outstanding new opera, “Loving v. Virginia,” makes a moving debut

Flora Hawk and Jonathan Michie star in the world premiere of Damien Geter’s Loving v. Virginia at Virginia Opera. Photo: Dave Pearson Virginia Opera is marking its golden anniversary season in the ...
The Classical Review

Noseda and NSO serve up a spirited showcase for Carlos Simon’s music

Simon: The Block; Tales: A Folklore Symphony; Songs of Separation; Wake Up! National Symphony Orchestra; Gianandrea Noseda, conductor (NSO). A new recording from the National Symphony Orchestra, ...
The Classical Review

Fischer, Budapest Festival Orchestra deliver a deep, eloquent Mahler Third to remember

Iván Fischer conducted the Budapest Festival Orchestra in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 Tuesday night at Symphony Hall, presented by Vivo Performing Arts. Photo: Robert Torres No one ever accused Gustav ...
The Classical Review

No slowing down for Gerard Schwarz, South Florida’s busiest conductor

Gerard Schwarz conducting the Palm Beach Symphony at a 2024 concert. Photo: IndieHouse Films When Gerard Schwarz was a teenage trumpet student, he dreamed of being a member of the New York ...
The Classical Review

Dello Joio’s captivating concerto receives sterling premiere from Ohlsson, Gilbert & BSO

Though the Boston Symphony Orchestra didn’t advertise it as such, Thursday night’s concert with Alan Gilbert at Symphony Hall was essentially an evening of premieres. There was, for one, the unveiling ...
The Classical Review

Santa Fe Opera rounds out comeback season with brilliant Verdi and Wagner

Quinn Kelsey stars in the title role of Verdi’s Falstaff at Santa Fe Opera. Photo: Curtis Brown The most complex works on the stage this summer at Santa Fe Opera came at the end of the first full week ...
The Classical Review

Florida Grand Opera’s “Silent Night” proves a rich and moving tale of common humanity

Alex DeSocio (Audebert), Kyle Albertson (Horstmayer) and Elijah William Brown (Jonathan Dale) in Kevin Puts’ Silent Night, presented by Florida Grand Opera at the Arsht Center in Miami. Photo: Lewis ...
The Classical Review

Opera creators find the light of love amid the horror of “The Shining”

Craig Irvin as Jack Torrance (with Bella Grace Smith as Danny) in Utah Opera’s The Shining. Photo: Dana Sohm In their adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic 1977 novel The Shining, composer Paul Moravec ...