-
John Hersey High School Symphonic Band and William Mason High School Wind Symphony in Review
John Hersey High School Symphonic Band in Review Scott Casagrande, Director William Mason High School Wind Symphony in Review Robert C. Bass Jr., Director Stern Hall at Carnegie Hall; New York, NY March 4, 2011 The highlight of this shared high school band concert on March 4th was a memorable performance of Leonard Bernstein’s…
-
Julie Boulianne, mezzo-soprano in Review
Julie Boulianne, mezzo-soprano in Review Metropolitan Opera, New York, NY March 2 and 3, 2011 Follow up to review of October 28, 2003 One of the rewards of being a music critic is having the opportunity to anticipate the success of a young performer. Seven and a half years ago, my review of Julie Boulianne’s…
-
Karen Hakobyan, composer and pianist in Review
Karen Hakobyan, composer and pianist in Review Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall March 1, 2011 No one who was in attendance at the recent concert of works by Karen Hakobyan could possibly have felt shortchanged. The Armenian composer and pianist, a musician of abundant gifts and bountiful ideas, structured an evening that was a…
-
Musicians Club of New York in Review
Musicians Club of New York in Review Music by Paul Kirby and Jon Liechty Liederkranz Club; New York, NY March 1, 2011 In an evening filled with anecdotes and a variety of styles, Paul Kirby’s works often inspired and entertained. And he played well at the piano too. In “Remembrance,” from Songs without Words,…
-
Texas Christian University Wind Symphony in Review
Texas Christian University Wind Symphony in Review Bobby R. Francis, conductor Texas Christian University Jazz Ensemble Curt Wilson, conductor Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall February 24, 2011 Texas Christian University brought its wind, brass and percussion players to Carnegie Hall, and I for one was pleasantly surprised regarding the extremely high quality of these…
-
The Texas Christian Percussion Orchestra in Review
The Texas Christian Percussion Orchestra Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY February 23, 2011 In a very fine recent concert by the TCU Percussion Orchestra at Merkin Hall, the group was especially notable for two remarkable assets. The first was a fluidity of talent, allowing several different players to shift from one instrument to another…
-
CD Review: Tien Hsieh, piano
CD Review: Tien Hsieh, piano “Mostly Transcriptions” in Review Tien Hsieh; Piano Titanic Ti273 Bach-Busoni Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major, BMW 564 Schubert-Liszt “Der Muller and der Bach“, D. 795 No. 19 (S. 565); ‘‘Die Schone Mulleri“ Chopin-Liszt Meine Freuden, Op. 74 No. 5 Bach-Liszt Fantasy and Fugue in G Minor, BMV 542…
-
Dan Franklin Smith, piano: “La Vida Iberiana” in Review
Dan Franklin Smith, piano: “La Vida Iberiana” in Review Musica de Camara St. Cecilia’s Church, New York, NY February 18, 2011 Just less than a year ago, I had the pleasure of giving a rave review to Dan Franklin Smith in a recital of works by living composers. Though that first hearing set the…
-
Duo Sirocco in Review
Duo Sirocco in Review Nathalie Houtman, recorders and xiao (chinese flute) Raphaël Collignon, harpsichord Pro Musicis Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 16, 2011 What a wonderful and informative evening! More than just a concert of music for recorder and harpsichord, it was a virtuoso display by two masters of their instruments, combined…