The estimable Elisabeth Barnette will cover Thursday evening’s Vienna Philharmonic concert at Carnegie Hall for Classical Source. The orchestra (this time with a pretty full string complement) sounds as glorious as ever, despite the “historically [allegedly] authentic” playing techniques demanded by Maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt in what sounded like an attempt to ape late 19th century performance practice, but judging from recordings made in the early 20th century was likely way off the mark.
The “official” music season usually does not start in New York until a couple of weeks after Labor Day, but there is still plenty to see and hear — and one of the best places to jump the gun is at Symphony Space, where the New York Chamber Music Festival has already launched their second season. Continue reading Pascal Rogé et al @ New York Chamber Music Festival→
I’d heard rumblings about this recording a few months ago. Andrew Rose makes it official — and issues it! I’m not a huge fan of Toscanini, but this recording is particularly excellent (Carlos Païta is IMNSHO Toscanini’s only competition in this work).
Now that’s some pretty lousy news to wake up to if you’re a clarinetist, active or recovering (as in my case). Read Charles Strum’s NY Times obituary of one of the great American musical pedagogues — including reminiscences from Richard Stoltzman.
Just back from the all-Stravinsky program with Valery Gergiev guest conducting the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall — part of the orchestra’s “The Russian Stravinsky” series, and the orchestra’s 15,000th concert!
Two helpings of Shostakovich: ultraconcentrated instant Dmitri and an outsize assault that infuriated Soviet authorities. My full review at Classical Source.