WXEL radio becomes WPBI with close of sale to APMFORT LAUDERDALE – Classical South Florida, the American Public Media radio subsidiary, said it has completed the purchase of WXEL-90.7 FM.The Boynton Beach-based radio station’s new call letters are WPBI. The Minneapolis-based company bought WXEL radio last year from Barry University in Miami Shores for about $4 … [Read more...]
Music review: Verdi ‘Requiem’ marks important moment for Master Chorale, Lynn
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901).By Greg StepanichTime was, and not all that long ago, that the only way South Florida could hear the Verdi Requiem in concert was to wait for the Florida Philharmonic to schedule it or hope that a big touring ensemble would put it on.This year, there have been two major local performances of this 1874 masterwork: Once in January at a … [Read more...]
Music reviews: Confident ‘Creation,’ strong ‘Turandot,’ elegant Mozart
Soprano Maria Jette. Here are capsule reviews of three recent classical music events:Master Chorale of South Florida (Nov. 20, Wold Center for the Performing Arts, Boca Raton)The Creation is one of Franz Joseph Haydn’s finest works, and even in the abridged version the Master Chorale of South Florida presented Saturday night, the beauty and vigor of this … [Read more...]
Music feature: Master Chorale chief sees growth as group embarks on ‘Creation’
The Master Chorale of South Florida.By Greg StepanichWhen Joshua Habermann looks into the upturned 100 or so faces of the Master Chorale of South Florida, he sees a neighborhood.“Choirs are the ultimate community. There’s no question that singing brings people together,” Habermann said. “I look out at that choir on Monday nights and I see lawyers and … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in classical music
Conductor Ramón Tebar.(Illustration by Pat Crowley) By Greg StepanichWith the addition of a new performing arts center in southern Palm Beach County (and a major new hall on Miami Beach), the 2010-11 classical music season in South Florida looks a little stronger than it did last season, and that impression is fortified by the unusual fact of there being two … [Read more...]
Music review: Master Chorale’s Mozart Requiem solid, but too cautious
Joseph Lange’s 1783 unfinished portrait of his brother-in-law, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. By Greg Stepanich One of the more tantalizing aspects of the career of Mozart is his work in sacred music, and that’s primarily because it feels somewhat unfulfilled. There is much great music in the Coronation Mass and even in the epistle sonatas, and choral ensembles … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: April 16-21
Network of Stoppages, by Leora Klaymer Stewart.Art: In time for Earth Day, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is opening an exhibit of works compiled from “recycled, reused and found objects.”Executive Director Cynthia Palmieri selected artists who would be willing to consider the site’s unique location and its natural materials as well as the limitation that a historic home … [Read more...]
Music review: Soloists shine for Judd’s return in ‘Messiah’
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759).By Greg StepanichAnnual performances of George Frideric Handel's oratorio Messiah at this time of year are always of the so-called Christmas portion, that close-to-half of this Easter piece that touches on the birth of Jesus.In his return to area podiums for the first time since 2001, former Florida Philharmonic director James Judd leads … [Read more...]
ArtsPaper Interview: James Judd moves ahead, moves on
James Judd. (Illustration by Pat Crowley)By Greg StepanichWhen James Judd takes the stage during the first week of December to lead the Boca Raton Symphonia and the Master Chorale of South Florida in three performances of George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah in Boca, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, it will mark his first appearances with local musicians since 2001.The former … [Read more...]
Music review: Master Chorale comes home to America in season closer
The Master Chorale of South Florida.By Greg StepanichPOMPANO BEACH -- The Master Chorale of South Florida made a welcome gesture in the direction of music from its own country Friday night with a program of older and newer American classics by Copland, Bernstein and Lauridsen.The performances themselves, which closed the first season of the chorale's concerts under its new … [Read more...]