Did Fleming Play Fast, Loose With Anthem? You Bet
By Arthur Kaptainis
A lot of money was riding on the outcome Sunday evening. I refer, of course, to the duration of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as sung by Renée Fleming. One popular over/under betting line was two minutes, 25 seconds.
Osmo Vänskä, In Job Limbo, Wields Traveling Baton
By Robert P. Commanday
SAN FRANCISCO - He was the beating heart of the Minnesota Orchestra. Vänskä's recent guest conducting appearance with the San Francisco Symphony made it clear why the Minnesota musicians love and need him. A CVNA commentary.
Bassoonist LeClair Brings Back-Bench Favorite To Fore
By Gail Wein
NEW YORK - All eyes and ears will be on Judith LeClair, longtime principal bassoon of the New York Philharmonic, when she plays Mozart's Bassoon Concerto with the orchestra Jan. 16-22. This time, she has a brand new cadenza.
Byrne Book Takes Stand for Music Without Borders
By Marvin J. Ward
BOOK REVIEW – How Music Works, by the legendary singer-songwriter and co-founder of Talking Heads, is analytical, frank, revelatory, and rich in food for thought regardless of one's musical preference. An updated paperback was recently released.
‘Fun Home’ Shines Where Two Boys Obscures Emotion
By Heidi Waleson
NEW YORK -- Jeanine Tesori's Fun Home, currently playing at The Public Theater, isn't actually an opera. Yet it delves deep and has extraordinary emotional resonance -- in ways that Nico Muhly's Two Boys at the Met doesn't.
Analysis: Deconstructing Orchestra Debacle In Minnesota
By Robert Commanday
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Orchestra lockout of the past 13 months, resulting in the cancellation of the 2012-13 season and early part of the current season, shows no signs of progress.
Minnesota Cancels Carnegie Concerts, Vänskä Quits
UPDATE: Music Director Osmo Vänskä resigned today (10/1) after the Minnesota Orchestra withdrew from its Carnegie Hall concerts. In the absence of an agreement, the lockout continues.
In 1970s, Critics Saw Job as Guide For ‘Virgin’ Public
By Louise Remmey
In this blast from the past, the leading music critics of 1972 gather to talk shop. It is a different time. There are no cellphones. Newspapers flourish. Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax and James Levine are emerging artists. But the critics face a still-familiar task.
Off-Beat Chicago Venues Energize Classical Music
By Wynne Delacoma
Inside the Empty Bottle, a band was tearing up the joint, playing to a SRO crowd. An encore? Absolutely. What should it be? "Bartók Four!" somebody yelled. Welcome to the newest edition of Chicago's classical music scene.
Seals and Squeals at Syracuse University: ‘Polar Suite’ by Douglas Quin
By Barbara Jepson
Kronos Quartet tries out the K-Bow, made of graphite and Kevlar, the same synthetic material used in bullet-proof vests. Quartet member Jeffrey Ziegler: "Basically, this bow can do almost anything except make an espresso."
