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 oratorio were well in evidence. … [Read more...]
Authentic bluegrass, by way of Switzerland
The decline of major recording labels may be the most famous byproduct of the online music retail and radio booms. But another result has been the cross-pollination of genres, the categorical descriptions that were largely created for now-dwindling record stores and musical airwaves in the first place. A versatile case in point is the Kruger Brothers, a North … [Read more...]
Singer O’Connor finds career on contemporary path
Kelley O'Connor would like to spend some time pursuing her passion for cooking in the house she just bought in her hometown of Fresno, Calif. But for the time being, the world of contemporary classical music has plenty for her to do. Most notably, O'Connor is currently championing the Neruda Songs, a five-song cycle written by the American composer Peter Lieberson for his … [Read more...]
Cleveland Orchestra does right by Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein always was torn between the needs of his composing and conducting lives, and in the end, the lure of the podium proved too strong for him to write as much music as he said he wanted to. In a previous Miami residency, Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra tackled the first of the three symphonies Bernstein composed, and Friday night they brought us … [Read more...]
Tom Scott, saxman of legend
Most musical artists have lists of their recording credits. Saxophonist Tom Scott, on the other hand, requires a scroll. Over the course of 45 years and more than 500 credits, the multi-reed player has worked with musical icons ranging from Thelonious Monk and Gerry Mulligan to Joni Mitchell and Aretha Franklin to Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. When asked who else he … [Read more...]
New chamber music group shows heart, nerve in Boca debut
Starting a chamber music collective isn’t necessarily the easiest thing in the world to do, but in their debut concert Saturday at the Steinway Gallery in Boca Raton, the members of Vivre Musicale showed they have a good sense of what it will take for long-term success. Founded by tenor Jorge Toro and clarinetist Berginald Rash, this five-member iteration of the group offered … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2009-10: The season in classical music
Some things will be absent or reduced in the upcoming classical music and opera season, but overall, the coming supply of concerts will be relatively robust, and well worth investigation. Here’s an overview of the season by genre – orchestral, solo, chamber and choral – with the proviso that this is a selective list and not a comprehensive one. Orchestras: Fans of … [Read more...]
Mosaic’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ a heady evening of Stoppard
Over 40 years ago, Czech-born journalist-turned-playwright Tom Stoppard burst onto the world stage with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, his hommage to Samuel Beckett and the emptiness and impotence of his characters. Ever since, however, Stoppard has been stuffing his plays with heady ideas and dialectical notions, moving from nothingness to cerebral overload. He … [Read more...]
Senior-citizen CSN proves the best wine is vintage
Do, do, do-do, do, do, do-dah-do, do, do. Not a hint of Judy's blue eyes. No holding anyone close before the fire. Nothing about Chicago or Ohio or Woodstock. But with Crosby, Stills and Nash, so much water has moved underneath their bridges that no matter what or how many songs they performed at Seminole Hard Rock on Thursday night, it wouldn't be enough for the … [Read more...]
Dave Matthews shows who’s king of the anthill
Driving in on this highway All these cars and upon the sidewalk People in every direction And all the little ants are marching Red and black antennas waving They all do it the same They all do it the same way – from Ants Marching Not rain, nor heat, nor gloom of blight could deter the generation of ants that swarmed the … [Read more...]