Dudamel’s Opening Fare At New York Phil Echoes Tensions Of The Times
NEW YORK – With the world in turmoil, Gustavo Dudamel pegged his debut as music director to John Adams' tragic On the Transmigration of Souls, the catastrophic edge of Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony, and a confrontational world premiere.
Youthful Mahler Opens An Orchestra’s Season In Voluminous Fashion
MONTREAL – Having made his way through nearly all the numbered symphonies, Rafael Payare, music director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, turned to Mahler's early cantata Das klagende Lied with massive forces, huge sound.
Prokofiev Sonata Cycle Etched As Love, Terror In Up-Close Experiences
CHICAGO – With their angry outbursts, rat-a-tat passages, and mood swings, Prokofiev's nine piano sonatas offer enormous technical challenges, and Adam Neiman met them with unflappable facility in the cycle's opening flourish.
Italian Countertenor Displays His Sparkling Art In Stylish NY Recital
NEW YORK – Carlo Vistoli, at age 39 one of Italy's established countertenor stars, offered a wide-ranging program that showcased the singer's technical facility and expressive depth in styles as removed as Baroque, bel canto, and Bernstein.
Josephine Baker, Once Darling Of Paris Stage, Conjured In New Light
PARIS – In a radical act of reclamation, a group of Americans opened the Paris Opera season with Perle Noire: Méditations pour Joséphine. Starring Julia Bullock, the work summons a complicated woman and brings a clear reckoning with racism.
Spreading His Populist Wings, Dudamel Opens NY Phil Era In Big Way
NEW YORK – With an entourage of guest artists that extended well beyond the classical realm, the Philharmonic shifted its introduction of new music director Gustavo Dudamel from Geffen Hall to a space three time its size: Radio City Music Hall.
Martinů’s Symphonies: Reveling In Variegated Garden Of Late Bloomer
DIGITAL REVIEW - Martinů's six symphonies, written between 1942 and 1953 and heard in a three-CD set by the Bamberger Symphoniker under Jakub Hrůša, sound like no others, more or less out of time with the trends of mid-century.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MISSION !
CVNA MARKS 12TH ANNIVERSARY!
Classical Voice North America has won praise for the quality of its informative reviews, articles, commentary, and occasional podcasts at a time when many newspapers have cut back or eliminated coverage. We explore the richness of the classical music scene: opera productions, leading and regional orchestras, new works and upcoming artists, plus calendar listings. But access is free, so we need your support!
IN THE NEWS: MCANA MEMBERS' PICKS
- Ileana Cotrubas, the “Traviata” of her generation - by Wilhelm Sinkovicz at Die Presse
- ‘Musical Bodies’ Review: A Human Symphony at the Met Museum - by Diane Cole at Wall Street Journal
- The crisis facing US classical music - by Douglas McLennan at Bachtrack
- The Salzburg Festival navigates uncertain times without a captain - by Markus Hihnterhauser at NY Times
- This Opera Written for Louis XIV Feels Ripped From the Headlines - by Roslyn Sulcas at NY Times
- Bach ache: The project transforming classical music into an immersive bodily experience - by Tom Almeroth-Williams at University of Cambridge
- William Kentridge’s L’Orfeo at Glyndebourne - by Denis Wendel-Poray at La Scena Musicale
- The experience that coloured everything Britten went on to write - by Philippe Sands at The Guardian
- Here’s What ‘the Most Important Mozart Discovery in Decades’ Sounds Like - by Jeffrey Arlo Brown at NYTimes
- Summer festivals are a bright spot on the classical music landscape - by Philip Kennicott at Washington Post
- When an Extravaganza, the Dudamel Era in L.A. Approaches Its End - by Adam Nagourney at NY Times
- Los Angeles Philharmonic announces Daniel Harding as next music director - by Imogen Tilden at The Guardian
- Harmonium of Texas, Kahane's new start for San Antonio – by Jack Morgan at Texas Public Radio
- Leif Ove Andsnes on Geirr Tveitt, Norway’s Lost Genius – by Qobuz at YouTube
- Six podcasts about classical music – by Emma Dibdin at NY Times
- Encore! Encore! Maybe only one. Kissin’s fans were dazzled; he was dazed by da bum’s rush - by Lawrence B. Johnson at Chicago On the Aisle
- Elim Chan named SF Symphony's next music director - by Janos Gereben at SF Classical Voice
- The Wayward, new on CD at Bridge Records, is vivid reminder how vivid Harry Partch's music can be - by Ralph P. Locke at The Arts Fuse
- Musicians of the Old Post Road take on Graupner, Telemann, and others - by Ralph P. Locke at Boston Musical Intelligencer
- Gustavo Dudamel receives $1 million award from musician Herb Alpert: ‘We can change the world, but it starts with educating young people’ - by María Porcel at El Pais
- ‘Time to Act’ Review: Pittsburgh Opera’s Didactic Trauma Drama - by Heidi Waleson at WSJ
- After ‘Priceless’ Violin Flies on Lap, Lufthansa Changes Carry-On Rules - by Christine Hauser at NY Times
- More than 40% of musicians may suffer from tinnitus - and it’s not just rockers, according to new research - by Hazel Davis at Classic FM
- Remembering Helmuth Rilling, Who Brought Bach to a Wider Audience - by Tim Page at WSJ
- Klaus at Chicago's Art Institute - by Hannah Edgar at Chicago Sun-Times
- Is Lise Davidsen the soprano of the century? - by Fiona Maddocks at The Observer
Around the US
Once-A-Year Chorus Puts A Fine Finish On Josquin, Dolly Parton
NEW YORK – Now in its fourth season, Res Facta Vocal Ensemble exists in once-a-year ideal conditions. Its public knew to drop everything for a program of Josquin, the Franco-Flemish School, and a perfectly aligned Dolly Parton encore.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Welcome to Classical Voice North America, the online magazine of the Music Critics Association of North America. Since 2013, CVNA has been a vibrant outlet for music criticism, providing expert coverage by members and occasional guest contributors. If you are a writer with experience in classical music, please consider joining MCANA. Together, we will keep music criticism alive and well.
AROUND CANADA
INTERNATIONAL
DISC AND STREAM
Unearthing, Restoration Of Old Recordings Puts Music’s Arc In New Light
PERSPECTIVE – There is a unique satisfaction in uncovering recorded performances that have remained unknown for decades. From as far back as 1962, I have enjoyed tracking down, listening to, and broadcasting these historic documents.
GAIL WEIN FOR CLASSICAL GAS
ISSUES IN THE ARTS
Marian Anderson: Voice Of A Century Who Also Bore Discord Of Racism
BOOK REVIEW – Anthony Tommasini's perceptive new biography chronicles the legendary American contralto's wildly popular embrace in Europe as well as her experience back home: banned from hotels even as she was cheered in concert halls.
STAY CONNECTED
SUPPORT US
