Beethoven: ‘Diabelli’ Variations Mitsuko Uchida, piano (Decca) Slowly, slowly, Mitsuko Uchida is adding to her Beethoven discography – these “Diabelli” Variations are now joining her five sonatas and two reviews of piano concertos, Kurt Sanderling and Simon Rattle. His last one is worth the wait. There are pianists who will tell you that “Diabellis” is …
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Gardener: ‘St. John Passion’ Nick Pritchard, tenor; William Thomas, bass; Monteverdi Choir; British Baroque Soloists; John Eliot Gardiner, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon) John Eliot Gardiner, “St. John Passion” remained so long that the countertenor from the first recording of the piece, Michael Chancein this new version – the third version of Gardiner – he was replaced …
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Subscribe to Popcast!Apple Podcasts | Spotify | sewer Creators Olivia Rodrigo and Tyler have released the only albums to appear on three pop music critics’ 2021 year-end lists for The New York Times. Beyond that, there was a variety of awards: Memphis rap, Colombian electronic folk, British spazz-rock, Atlanta soul, Georgia country-rap, Chicago jazz abstraction, …
Steve Perry, ‘The Season’ Steve Perry, formerly of Journey, must be proud of his high grades. Open “Season,” a familiar repertoire – “Winter Wonderland”, “Auld Lang Syne” – pushes into the slow tempo and range where his tenor is on the verge of falsetto. The arrangements take a vintage approach from the 1950s, with a …
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Even the big reveal albums by jazz musicians this year had an intense sense of intimacy: large-scale problems solved in an enclosure with limited tools and only a few citizens. I guess there are no surprises there. Twelve months ago, the year started with promises, but we hardly ever get back to old comforts. Instead …
‘Amata dalle Tenebre’ Anna Netrebko, soprano; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra; Riccardo Chailly, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon) Soprano Anna Netrebko has always been more satisfying in person—her voice blooms in the expanse of an opera house—on recordings where her super-wide vibrato feels less impressive than unsteady in close-up. On her new solo album, she struggles to maintain …
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Brahms: Symphony No. 4 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Manfred Honeck, conductor (Reference Records) Last month, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra announced that music director Manfred Honeck will extend his contract until the 2027-28 season. good for them. As I wrote two years ago, these forces new standards in standards, their recordings bring together amazing playing ideas that are …
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Welcome. If each day of the work week corresponds to a gear on a five-speed car, then Monday can be “start” and Thursday “cruise”. By the way, Wednesday will be an intermediate gear, a time to wander around the city and get things done. As the weeks get longer, I’m thinking of moving to Wednesday, …
ENDEA OWENS & THE COOKOUT Let’s be honest: Many of us started the pandemic with the promise of filling the desolate periods of quarantine with new and meaningful projects. For Endea Owens, a rising young bassist, that vow came to naught. He started out as a member of the “Late Show” group led by Jon …
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Finally, the music industry — sort of? Type? maybe? – Starting its re-awakening after 2020. Bands that were waiting to release new albums until they realistically envisioned touring are now temporarily re-emerging from extended hiatus. Rising stars, whose rise has been postponed due to the pandemic, are finally on the rise. After a long fallow …
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‘Générations’: Senailé and Leclair Sonatas Theotime Langlois de Swarte, violin; William Christie, harpsichord (Harmonia Mundi) This flamboyant album was my acquaintance with the composer Jean-Baptiste Senaillé and the young violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte, much loved by the French aristocracy in the early 18th century but now obscure. This is Langlois de Swarte’s third release …
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What is the meaning of country music? 80-year-old singer-songwriter, “I always believed it was the crying of the heart” Connie Smith In a recent video call from his Nashville office, he said he was decorated with the distinctive palette he wore on stage. Framed by black walls and purple tufted furniture, she said, “I understand …
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