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  David Chesky’s String Theory: More Than a Gimmick

  String Theory is a seven-minute rhythmic fantasia for strings and percussion that’s over before you know it. Chesky is a very serious composer, and like most of his music this little piece, although ostensibly based on his characteristic blend of trendy jazz/rock influences [...]

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  New All-Rachmaninov Rocks

  Nareh Arghamanyan has developed by leaps and bounds since her 2008 Concours Musical International de Montréal victory, followed by a debut solo disc containing proficient yet overly rhapsodic performances of Liszt’s B minor and Rachmaninov’s B-flat minor sonatas. Arghamanyan [...]

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  Cav & Pag–Not bad; not essential

  This live Met broadcast from April 11, 1964 is a mixed bag. Nello Santi’s leadership is unexciting in both operas, and the chorus and orchestra are ragged in Cav (better in Pag). The list of singers is certainly impressive, and one or two come through with flying colors: If you [...]

  Read Review
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  Concerto Charmers by Cowen and Somervell

  The Romantic Piano Concerto Volume 54? My God! And the series shows no lack of interest or quality. These works are delightful. Frederic Cowen’s single-movement Concertstück is beautifully written, full of good tunes, and thoroughly captivating. It’s a worthy success [...]

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  Dark, Intense Dvorák from Flor

  You might subtitle this disc “The Dark Dvorák” since it consists of three of his most turbulent (but also greatest) works. First there’s Othello: guy kills girl. Next, The Wood Dove: girl kills guy, then offs herself. Finally, there’s the tragic Seventh Symphony: everyon [...]

  Read Review

Latest Music Reviews

David Chesky’s String Theory: More Than a Gimmick

by David Hurwitz

String Theory is a seven-minute rhythmic fantasia for strings and percussion that’s over before you know it. Chesky is a very serious composer, and like most of his music this little piece, although ostensibly based on his characteristic blend of trendy jazz/rock influences, hints at darker th... Continue Reading

New All-Rachmaninov Rocks

by Jed Distler

Nareh Arghamanyan has developed by leaps and bounds since her 2008 Concours Musical International de Montréal victory, followed by a debut solo disc containing proficient yet overly rhapsodic performances of Liszt’s B minor and Rachmaninov’s B-flat minor sonatas. Arghamanyan’s new all-Rac... Continue Reading

Cav & Pag–Not bad; not essential

by Robert Levine

This live Met broadcast from April 11, 1964 is a mixed bag. Nello Santi’s leadership is unexciting in both operas, and the chorus and orchestra are ragged in Cav (better in Pag). The list of singers is certainly impressive, and one or two come through with flying colors: If you like Richard Tucker... Continue Reading

A Classic St. Matthew Returns

by Robert Levine

This recording has been a classic for more than 40 years and remains one, all the way through the eras of HIP, anti-HIP, HIP with alterations, etc. Yes, it runs to 3 hours and 17 minutes, far longer than some by the Herreweghe/Harnoncourt crowd, but it is almost 30 minutes shorter than Klemperer’s... Continue Reading

Concerto Charmers by Cowen and Somervell

by David Hurwitz

The Romantic Piano Concerto Volume 54? My God! And the series shows no lack of interest or quality. These works are delightful. Frederic Cowen’s single-movement Concertstück is beautifully written, full of good tunes, and thoroughly captivating. It’s a worthy successor to Weber’s ... Continue Reading

Dark, Intense Dvorák from Flor

by David Hurwitz

You might subtitle this disc “The Dark Dvorák” since it consists of three of his most turbulent (but also greatest) works. First there’s Othello: guy kills girl. Next, The Wood Dove: girl kills guy, then offs herself. Finally, there’s the tragic Seventh Symphony: everyone kills everyone, bu... Continue Reading

Jalbert’s Polished (not perfect) Goldbergs

by Jed Distler

The polished pianism and serious musicianship characterizing David Jalbert’s recording of the Shostakovich Preludes & Fugues are also apparent throughout his performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Observing all repeats save for those in the Aria da capo, Jalbert generally favors brisk ye... Continue Reading

Revelatory Scott Joplin Opera

by Jed Distler

Rick Benjamin’s reconstruction of Scott Joplin’s lone surviving opera Treemonisha from the existing vocal/piano score is nothing less than a revelation of historical research and musicology. In contrast to Gunther Schuller’s 1975 grand opera version with full orchestra, Benjamin ai... Continue Reading

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