December with Zubin Mehta Is the Month to be Jolly
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Mehta’s account of Mahler First Symphony after the intermission was unlike any I have heard, with its insertion of the “Blumine” movement between the first and second.
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'Frida and Diego' in L.A., all that glitter is not gold
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The excellent musical team did their best to work with the meager materials they’ve got. From the podium, Lina González-Granados commanded the strong feeling for individual lines.
Read More'Rodelinda' in L.A., a Baroque gem full of vocal gold
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The English Concert orchestra, featuring period strings, a theorbo, two harpsichords facing each other, two recorders and oboes (played by the same players), performed like a veritable b’rock band…
Read MoreL.A. Opera's Handsome New 'Barber' is a Cut Above Competition
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The uncut, note-perfect score of Barbiere used in this production – which I assume is the new critical edition from Pesaro – breezed through the three hours without an ounce of tedium or boredom.
Read MoreSoprano Lise Davidsen in Santa Monica, a Big Debut in a Small Hall
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Many have compared Davidsen to her great predecessor Birgit Nilsson, but I would beg to differ and go back further in time, and compare her to another Norwegian, Kirsten Flagstad…
Read More2023 Hollywood Bowl Classical Highlights
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Classical highlights at the Bowl, 2023 include John Williams, Verdi’s Requiem, Rhapsody in Blue, Rachel Barton Pine…
Read MoreLA Phil Season Ends with Mostly Memorable Mozart
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Swiss Philippe Jordan returned to conduct Dvorak and Bruckner. Pianists Víkingur Ólafsson and Mitsuko Uchida played Mozart...
Read MoreIn L.A. Opera’s ‘Otello’, revisionist staging cannot dampen firestorm in the pit and voices
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In John Cox’ revisionist staging, portable heat lamps replaced campfire in “Fuoco di gioia”; a desk and chairs replaced Desdemona’s bed and pillows…
Read MorePianist Hélène Grimaud Returns to Disney With Three B's
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For each composer, Ms. Grimaud chose a late work: Beethoven’s Op.109, Brahms Op.116 and Op.117 (in a manner of speaking, Brahms’ entire Op.116-119 could be classified as one big set of ‘piano songs’), and the Bach chaconne transcribed for the piano by Busoni…
Read MoreWagner, Brahms and sad decline of classical audience
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In an unusually stimulating pre-concert talk, Russell Steinberg drew a parallel between Wagner and Brahms...
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