April 1, 2015
This Naxos release (Nov. 2014) appeared very near the centennial of the beginning of World War I, or “The Great War” as it is known in Britain, from where the composers of this compelling recordings hailed. All of the composers – Ralph Vaughan Williams, George Butterworth, Ivor Gurney and Gerald Finzi – had their lives …
March 26, 2015
He recently won the Grammy for “Play” as Best Instrumental Solo, and was also in Portland in the fall for a solo recital with Portland Classic Guitar. She has a Grammy-nominated CD titled “Air”, and next season, will perform Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto with the Oregon Symphony. Now, harpist Yolanda Kondonassis and guitarist Jason Vieaux …
March 16, 2015
Last summer, we introduced you to Avi Avital with “Between Worlds”, Mr. Avital’s second CD for Deutsche Grammophon, where the Israeli-born mandolinist sought to bridge classical and folk genres, and effortlessly navigated between those “worlds”. Now making Berlin his home, Avi is embarking on a tour with Venice Baroque Orchestra, playing works by that city’s …
March 2, 2015
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein first gained notice with her recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, a recording which she funded herself, and which launched her international career. Not long after, Ms. Dinnerstein recorded other works of Bach, the contemporary composer Philip Lasser, Schubert and Beethoven. On her newest CD, she’s created a musical bridge between France and …
February 19, 2015
When I think of Beethoven’s 15 string quartets, which are works that represent the whole of the composer’s adult life, I liken them to taking a long trek up a mountain. If Opus 18 is the trailhead and the first few miles, the “middle period” quartets of Opp. 59, 74 and 95 are when the …
January 16, 2015
Ms. Pine records for the first time with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Sir Neville Marriner. I found these to be among the best new performances of Mozart’s violin concertos to come our way in a while. Also, the first complete set in several years by anyone. I am particularly impressed …
November 25, 2014
Domenico Scarlatti was one of three major Baroque composers all born in 1685 (Handel and Bach being the others). Scarlatti and Handel became friends after an amicable competition was held in Rome when both were 23. Later, Scarlatti left Rome for Lisbon to educate the princess in keyboard performance. Apart from a brief return to …
October 30, 2014
The renowned Jordi Savall and his ensemble, Hesperion XXI come to Portland in February. Mr. Savall is not only a highly esteemed researcher of European music, but also sheds light on the musical heritage of the middle east, partly in an effort to raise awareness of regions experiencing conflict. Music director John Pitman shares his …
October 13, 2014
Russia is not the first place many people think of as a source for Mozart operas. While not unheard of, Mozart is more associated with western Europe. This may be changing, thanks to a dynamic and driven conductor named Teodor Currentzis, founder of an orchestra and chorus named Musicaeterna. Currentzis has embarked on a remarkable …
July 1, 2014
It’s the first day of July, and the ninth day of our residence in Suite 200 of the Hampton Opera Center. If you’ve visited the All Classical Portland Facebook page recently, then you’ve no doubt seen some of the photos and video that I’ve posted as we packed up equipment, documents and 25,000 Cds, and …
