Music
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James Levine Withdraws from Tanglewood
Slots Filled by Renowned Conductors
By: - Jun 14th, 2010In April James Levine, the artistic director of Boston Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera, underwent back surgery. While he planned a season for Tangelwood he has now withdrawn from the program. It is hoped that he will recover in time for the fall seasons of the BSO and Met. This is a repeat of his absence from Tanglewood following surgery after the opening concerts in 2008. Given chronic health issues there is speculation about his long term role in Boston and New York. Renowned conductors will fill the vacant slots in Lenox this season.
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TCAN - The Center for Arts in Natick
A Metro-West Treasure
By: - Jun 14th, 2010In 2003, having rescued from demolition, and renovated, a 19th century firehouse, they opened an intimate performance site with professional quality lighting and sound and seating almost 300. Within two years, the Massachusetts Historical Commission acknowledged their efforts with a Preservation Award.
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Mengelberg and Mahler by Daniel Klein
Robert Lohbauer in World Premiere at Shakespeare & Company
By: - Jun 14th, 2010Berkshire based playwright Daniel Klein has collaborated with Emile Fallaux, who directs, on the the world premiere of Mengelberg and Mahler, a one person play, at Shakespeare & Company. It stars company veteran Robert Lohbauer. While Mahler fans may find much to like about this intimate performance it left us unmoved. The script while well crafted was not adequately conveyed by the actor. On opening night, however, Lohbauer was given a standing ovation by some of the audience.
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Rosanne Cash at the Colonial June 29
Performing the List Johnny Cash Gave Her
By: - Jun 12th, 2010The genesis of Rosanne Cash’s new album The List dates back to a day in 1973 when Cash’s father, the incomparable Johnny Cash, discovered some gaps in her knowledge of American roots music. He spent the rest of the day making a list on a legal pad, and at the top he put “100 Essential Country Songs†handed it to her and said, “This is your education.†She will perform this material at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield on June 29.
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A Cole Porter Tribute
You're the Tops at the Pops
By: - Jun 11th, 2010.The music of Cole Porter bubbled like champagne at Symphony Hall. Keith Lockhart conducted in a thoroughly enjoyable evening of Pops. He was joined by Broadway stars including Kelli O’Hara, Jason Danieley and Matthew Anderson.
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Stephanie Blythe Sings at Town Hall, New York
Performs at Tanglewood on July 9
By: - Jun 10th, 2010Free concerts in New York with A list talent can be found if you look, and one of the best venues to scour is Town Hall's. Here on Sunday, for free, lucky listeners got to hear Stephanie Blythe accompanied by Warren Jones. Blythe opens Tanglewood's season in Mahler's Second Symphony on July 9th.
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Sir Andrew Davis Conducts the New York Philharmonic
Susan Graham and Kent Tritle Solo Artists
By: - Jun 07th, 2010The evening's program of French music featuring Berlioz, Chausson and Saint Saens, belied conventional wisdom that the French style is cool. The early Berlioz was whipped to a frenzy, the Chausson songs were full of passion, and Saint Saens' improvisations at the end of the Third Symphony got a wild ride with organist Kent Tritle. Are we ready for a new definition?
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New York Philharmonic at St. John the Divine
Alan Gilbert Conducts Annual Memorial Day Concert
By: - Jun 02nd, 2010Having brought Grygory Liget's Le Grand Macabre to New York for its premier just days beforehand, the Orchestra tamed down for their annual free concert at a Cathedral. The moral of the story is that this Orchestra is never tame, particularly under its conductor Alan Gilbert, who is winding up his first season. .
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New York Philharmonic with Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre
Alan Gilbert Conducts as Doug Fitch Weaves His Magic
By: - Jun 01st, 2010It was a daring gambit, one that was not at all sure to capture New York. But move by move, through education and tease in equal measure, Alan Gilbert made his vision for an extended Philharmonic audience come alive. The only production which got the wildly enthusiastic response Le Grand Macabre received was the Met's "The Nose." Contemporary sounds accentuated and expanded by artful staging techniques, in this case magician Doug Fitch let loose in Avery Fisher Hall, created a bang up, popular work of high art.
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Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas at Alice Tully Hall
Alondra de la Parra Conducts Splendidly
By: - May 26th, 2010Just five years ago, at 24, the brilliant young Mexican conductor, Alondra de la Parra formed the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. In an encore performance at Alice Tully Hall, she conducted the music of mostly Mexican composers in honor of Mexico's bicentennial. The Orchestra now travels to their summer home in Stowe, Vermont.
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Chris Smither Donates Performance
Event June 4 at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls
By: - May 26th, 2010A benefit concert for the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School to take place at Memorial Hall, Shelburne Falls, Friday, June 4th. Benefit concert to help support the program with Chris Smither as the performer. This will be Chris’ last performance in this area this year. We reviewed his recent performance in Natick. This is an opportunity to hear a superb artist for a great cause.
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Rusted Roof at the Colonial June 9
Band Has Sold 3 Million Albums
By: - May 25th, 2010Rusted Root will be at the Colonial on June 9 for one performance at 7:30PM. Rusted Root has sold more than 3 million albums worldwide since forming in Pittsburgh in the early ’90s. The band’s worldly style quickly charmed fans of roots music and world rock. Their 1994 album When I Woke went platinum and featured the hit songs “Send Me On My Way,†“Ecstasy†and “Martyr.â€
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Chris Smither Performs at TCAN
A Packed House in Natick, Mass.
By: - May 23rd, 2010On Friday night in Natick there is no doubt where the hot ticket event is. TCAN, The Center for Arts in Natick is overflowing. Reviewers, promoters, fans all have labels for Chris. Many call him a Blues singer, some say folk singer, others, singer-songwriter
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New York Philharmonic's Le Grand Macabre
Alan Gilbert To Conduct New York Premier
By: - May 20th, 2010The New York Philharmonic presents performances of György Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre by the composer who joined forces with Richard Strauss in the score of Space Odyssey:2001. Kudos for recent productions in London, Paris, Adelaide and Rome suggest the performances will be SRO. The work combines 15th century music, breadth of line, puppetry, adventures musical and otherwise.At Avery Fisher Hall on May 27, 28 and 29.
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Met Opera Orchestra at Carnegie Hall
Pierre Boulez Debut at 85
By: - May 18th, 2010Red flags were raised. This was one tough program. The Metropolitan Orchestra performed at the opera house on Friday evening and twice on Saturday. Yet, on Sunday, the orchestra and its octogenarian conductor, Pierre Boulez, were fresh and sharp. They performed two difficult pieces to perfection.
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Bearfoot Wows Eagle Hill Audience
Ends Season with Panache
By: - May 16th, 2010Despite changes in personnel, Bearfoot delivered a solid performance and made many new fans. As the band breaks into a country tune, Odessa Jorgensen starts to sing, and all the elements fall into place. Though this opening number and the second piece, the traditional, Single Girl, feel just a little bit rushed, by the third number the pace is settled and feels in the groove. The audience as well has fallen into the wavelength and each number is received with growing applause.
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Berg's Lulu at the Metropolitan Opera
Fabio Luisi Conducts Brilliantly
By: - May 15th, 2010Frank Wedekind who wrote the two plays Alban Berg used to create his opera, Lulu, one of the most important operas of the 20th century, traveled with the circus. The opera opens with a circus trainer introducing his animals. The last and most prized is Lulu, the subject of the opera. She is not Eve,the temptress, but rather the snake. This all happens before the curtain rises.
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Mass MoCA Adds to Wilco Festival
Mega Event Planned August 13-15
By: - May 12th, 2010A diverse array of musical guests have been added to the line up of Wilco's first SOLID SOUND FESTIVAL, a three-day festival of music, art, comedy, film and interactivity which takes place at MASS MoCA on August 13 - 15. Joining the Chicago band are Sub Pop's Avi Buffalo and Vetiver; guitarist Sir Richard Bishop; Bennington, VT trio Mountain Man; Portland, ME indie-rockers Brenda; North Adams, MA duo The Books; and Chicago's jazz combo the Deep Blue Organ Trio.
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Cleveland Rocks
Birth Place of Rock ‘n’ Roll
By: - May 11th, 2010Cleveland claims to be the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll. It is the site for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. It is a global destination for every true rock fan. But yet again I Can't Get No Satisfaction.
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Passim's Good Lovelies Boston Debut
With Teddy Goldstein, May 14th
By: - May 09th, 2010The Good Lovelies may be quirky and irreverent. They are rock solid musicians with brilliant harmonies and clever arrangements. Their songs fit comfortably into the folk tradition and they are attracting new fans with each performance.
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Freihofer Saratoga Jazz Festival
Mario Abney New Talent to Perform
By: - May 08th, 2010Freihofer Saratoga Jazz Festival Artistic Director and Co-Producer Danny Melnick loves discovering great new jazz talent. Last spring when he was working backstage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, he heard a young trumpeter named Mario Abney and was “knocked out†by Mario’s playing, music and band.
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Launching 125th Season of Boston Pops
Keith Lockhart Acknowledges a Great Tradition
By: - May 07th, 2010For 125 years the Boston Pops has been bringing musical enjoyment to everyone. For 125 years people from all walks of life have reveled in top musicians playing a variety of the music that we all love. As someone who has frequented the Pops through conductors Fiedler, Williams and now Lockhart. The gala opening night concert is always a greatly anticipated event.
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Ballad Singer Bonnie Dobson
Looking Back a New CD
By: - May 07th, 2010Bonnie Dobson, ballad singer and songwriter from Ontario was a feature in folk clubs and folk festivals all across the USA and Canada in the '60s. When she resettled in the UK to take up philosophy, her performances here became rare. Her new CD on Biber Records is a treat.
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Eagle Hill Cultural Center : Bearfoot
Concert May 15 at Hardwick, Mass.
By: - May 05th, 2010Lovers of Folk, Country and/or Bluegrass music in this area will get their first chance to experience live, this up and coming critically acclaimed band. Originally named Bearfoot Bluegrass, within two years of their formation they were designated Telluride Bluegrass Band Champions. This band originated in Alaska, not the first locale most of us might associate with Bluegrass.
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Flying Dutchman at Metropolitan Opera
Lori Phillips Makes a Remarkable Debut as Senta
By: - May 04th, 2010The Metropolitan Opera production of the Flying Dutchman is a visual treat-- water, water, everywhere. Readers who appreciate Henry James "The Ambassadors" will see some of the same themes at play here -- the redemption of a man by a woman. The man's failure however to connect in human terms and the ultimate dissolution of his world. Without any knowledge of the plot, the music is transporting. There are performances May 6, 10 and 14.
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