REVIEW: Shelley, Pacific Symphony decide Stravinsky’s complete”Firebird” score needs visual help
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Pacific Symphony / Reviews 2025/2026

REVIEW: Shelley, Pacific Symphony decide Stravinsky’s complete”Firebird” score needs visual help

The Pacific Symphony’s choice of Alexander Shelley as its next Music Director has been a solid so far. He has crafted compelling programs. He’s made concise yet informative pre-performance comments from the podium.  And it doesn’t hurt that he’s young, dashing, personable, and therefore a marketing department’s dream. Most importantly, he’s shown the capacity for … Continue reading

A chat with Matt Howard (part 2 of 2):  more on the world premiere of Pereira’s percussion concerto “Naru”, Gustavo Dudamel’s upcoming final season, and more
Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Philharmonic Society of Orange County

A chat with Matt Howard (part 2 of 2): more on the world premiere of Pereira’s percussion concerto “Naru”, Gustavo Dudamel’s upcoming final season, and more

This is part 2 of my conversation from Tuesday, May 28, with Matthew Howard, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Principal Percussion (part 1 is HERE). We continue our discussion about Naru, the percussion concerto Joseph Pereira wrote for him and the LA Phil receiving it’s premiere this week (Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday in Walt Disney Concert … Continue reading

Doing pre-concert lecture for Daniil Trifonov recital tomorrow night
Music News & Info: Classical / Philharmonic Society of Orange County

Doing pre-concert lecture for Daniil Trifonov recital tomorrow night

I’ll have the distinct privilege of doing the pre-concert lecture for tomorrow night’s piano recital by Daniil Trifonov in Costa Mesa at Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Many thanks to the Philharmonic Society of Orange County for inviting me. Mr. Trifonov was Gramophone’s 2016 Artist of the Year award and Musical America’s 2019 Artist of … Continue reading