Category Archives: All Reviews

“The Rite of Spring” served up 3 ways: shaken, straight up, and blended (c/o Ojai, Pacific Symphony, and UCI)
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc. / Other classical music concerts and recitals (in So Cal and beyond) / Pacific Symphony / Reviews 2012/2013

“The Rite of Spring” served up 3 ways: shaken, straight up, and blended (c/o Ojai, Pacific Symphony, and UCI)

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At the opening talk of this year’s Ojai Music Festival last Thursday, Ara Guzelimien (Provost & Dean of The Julliard School and former Artistic Director of the Ojai Festival) astutely observed that The Rite of Spring has become big business.  What used to scare audiences now regularly packs houses.  With all of the buzz surrounding … Continue reading →

Season enders (part 1 of 2): Alisa Weilerstein closes LACO’s final 2012/13 concert with a flourish
All Reviews / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

Season enders (part 1 of 2): Alisa Weilerstein closes LACO’s final 2012/13 concert with a flourish

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When the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival was in town last year, I managed to catch two of the three concerto performances that different soloists were performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  The one I soloist I missed:  Alisa Weilerstein.  At the time, someone told me I had made a mistake.  Judging by the strength of … Continue reading →

For your consideration: Kenneth Branagh’s version of “The Magic Flute” finally available on DVD in the US
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

For your consideration: Kenneth Branagh’s version of “The Magic Flute” finally available on DVD in the US

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Kenneth Branagh filmed his cinematic adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute in the middle of the last decade as part of the 250th Anniversary celebrations for that opera.  It was screened at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals in 2006; however, it was not shown in United States theaters nor was it released on DVDs that … Continue reading →

Seeing “Figaro” again: after Thursday’s performance, more random other thoughts about LA Phil’s latest gem
All Reviews / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

Seeing “Figaro” again: after Thursday’s performance, more random other thoughts about LA Phil’s latest gem

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I was so enthralled by the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s production of The Marriage of Figaro that I wanted — needed — to see it again.  So last night, I decided to Tivo the King’s playoff game and head back to Walt Disney Concert Hall for another go at it.  Turned out to be the right … Continue reading →

Appealingly over the top: Sondra Radvanovsky is an ideal Tosca for LA Opera, with ample support from Domingo and Caird
All Reviews / Los Angeles Opera / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

Appealingly over the top: Sondra Radvanovsky is an ideal Tosca for LA Opera, with ample support from Domingo and Caird

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If I were to look up “diva” in the dictionary, I’d half expect to see one of the definitions — maybe THE definition — to be “Floria Tosca.”  The character after which Puccini named his famous opera has all the attributes that would come to mind when I think of a diva:  petulant but passionate, … Continue reading →

A magnificent “Marriage of Figaro:” LA Phil’s modern staging of Mozart classic is a huge success on all fronts
All Reviews / Architecture / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

A magnificent “Marriage of Figaro:” LA Phil’s modern staging of Mozart classic is a huge success on all fronts

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This past Friday night, the Los Angeles Philharmonic unveiled the latest foray into its three-year “Mozart/DaPonte Trilogy” project, the first ever performance (staged or otherwise) of The Marriage of Figaro in the orchestra’s history.  It was glorious in every respect:  visually striking, dramatically compelling, and musically excellent. Before a single note was played, one marveled at … Continue reading →

Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society brings one of their namesake’s oratorios out of obscurity
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Other classical music concerts and recitals (in So Cal and beyond) / Reviews 2012/2013

Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society brings one of their namesake’s oratorios out of obscurity

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Quick, name a Handel oratorio besides Messiah. . . . Not that easy, is it? They aren’t exactly common fare, and I’m willing to bet that few of you would have come up with Jephtha, especially if Harry Christophers and the good folks at the Handel and Haydn Society  (aka “H&H”) hadn’t decided to resurrect … Continue reading →

And here’s to you, Mr. Robertson: SoCal native returns to conduct the LA Phil
All Reviews / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

And here’s to you, Mr. Robertson: SoCal native returns to conduct the LA Phil

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A little over a week ago, David Robertson returned to the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s podium for the first time in over five years, and for the life of me, I have a hard time understanding why it’s taken so long. First and foremost, his broad repertoire featuring impeccable credentials in 20th and 21st Century music … Continue reading →

Ketevan Kemoklidze charming as LA Opera’s latest Cinderella
All Reviews / Los Angeles Opera / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

Ketevan Kemoklidze charming as LA Opera’s latest Cinderella

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Halfway through Los Angeles Opera’s current run of Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola), they introduced a new singer into the title role:  Ketevan Kemoklidze, a winner of Plácido Domingo’s “Operalia” competition, made her company debut as she took over for Kate Lindsey this past Wednesday night. It’s never easy joining a cast in midstream, and still the … Continue reading →

All Reviews / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

LA Chamber Orchestra struts its stuff with program of Mozart, Stravinsky, Bach, and Handel at Royce Hall

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The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra often plays larger symphonic works — and does so quite well — but one of the joys and privileges of having a standing chamber group like them is the chance to hear pieces written for small to medium-sized ensembles that a full-sized orchestra would not take on.  Their most recent concerts … Continue reading →

Carl St.Clair leads Pacific Symphony in persuasive Mahler 5th, quiet Bach
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Pacific Symphony / Reviews 2012/2013

Carl St.Clair leads Pacific Symphony in persuasive Mahler 5th, quiet Bach

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Last Friday, Carl St.Clair and the Pacific Symphony took on two seemingly disparate giants of the orchestral repertoire, Johann Sebastian Bach and Gustav Mahler. The program notes mentioned Mahler’s interest in Bach’s counterpoint during the time he wrote his Fifth Symphony, spurring the creation of some contrapuntal elements of the score.  It made sense in … Continue reading →

A delicious romp: there is everything to like about LA Opera’s “Cinderella”
All Reviews / Los Angeles Opera / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

A delicious romp: there is everything to like about LA Opera’s “Cinderella”

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Los Angeles Opera’s latest production of Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola) which debuted this past Saturday has everything you’d want in a comic opera:  an excellent cast that can sing and act well, a clever production, and a great sense of humor.  The story might not be told exactly the way you know it — the evil step-mother … Continue reading →

LA Phil tuning up the programs they are taking on tour (part 3 of 3): pondering how much better “The Other Mary” v2.0 actually is
All Reviews / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013

LA Phil tuning up the programs they are taking on tour (part 3 of 3): pondering how much better “The Other Mary” v2.0 actually is

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic is in the midst of the continental European leg of its tour to London, Lucerne, Paris, and New York.  Reviews of concerts in London have been consistent in their high praise of the orchestra’s performance and sound in the fairly adventurous repertoire they have taken on the road.  On balance, they … Continue reading →

Like a boss: David Robertson and SLSO at Segerstrom Concert Hall show how it’s supposed to be done
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Philharmonic Society of Orange County / Reviews 2012/2013

Like a boss: David Robertson and SLSO at Segerstrom Concert Hall show how it’s supposed to be done

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Good chemistry between a conductor and orchestra is a difficult thing to predict or explain, but as former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart might say, I know it when I see it.  And I know I saw — and heard — it this past Monday night when David Robertson brought the St. Louis Symphony into … Continue reading →

Anne LeBaron’s latest gem out-sparkles the rest at final LA International New Music Festival concert
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2012/2013 / Southwest Chamber Music

Anne LeBaron’s latest gem out-sparkles the rest at final LA International New Music Festival concert

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In an ideal world, I would have been able to see all four concerts that formed the “LA International New Music Festival 2013” presented by Southwest Chamber Music; alas, life often gets in the way.  Thankfully, after multiple thwarted attempts to make my way out to The Colburn School for the festival, I was able … Continue reading →