Category Archives: Pitman Reviews
Bel Canto Paganini: Rachel Barton Pine takes on the Caprices
Nicolo Paganini dazzled audiences in his time with his unprecedented virtuosity, made women swoon (and men envious), and helped to create the myth that he must have sold his soul for such abilities. In truth, Paganini was a gifted creator of original melodies, as well as variations on opera arias and popular tunes of his …
Simone Dinnerstein takes Mozart to Havana
American pianist Simone Dinnerstein, who first received critical acclaim for her recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, has made collaboration a major part of her career since that first, solo recording. She has created recordings that bridge the worlds of classical music, jazz and folk. Her longtime collaborator and arranger, composer Philip Lasser, has been with …
Emerson Quartet bridges the centuries (Music of Britten and Purcell)
The members of the Emerson String Quartet are keeping plenty busy, both onstage and in the studio. They’re touring, too: the four members of the Grammy® – winning chamber ensemble were in Portland recently (presented by Chamber Music NW), and will return in July. It’s all part of a well-deserved celebration of the group’s 40th …
Jennifer Higdon’s Majestic music
On the heels of their triple-Grammy® – winning CD of Michael Daugherty’s music (Tales of Hemingway), the Nashville Symphony Orchestra continues its commitment to American music with this showcase of Jennifer Higdon works. All Things Majestic (Naxos) includes the eponymous composition, which was written for the Grand Teton Music Festival. It certainly captures the splendor …
Arvo Pärt Festival (Cappella Romana) review
This February in Portland, Oregon, Cappella Romana and Director Dr. Alexander Lingas, presented the first-ever festival in North America dedicated to the contemporary composer, Arvo Pärt. The Estonian composer’s music is arguably the most performed of any living composer. It was a slight departure for Cappella Romana best known for their performances of Byzantine, Russian …
Prodigy, genius, legend: The Menuhin Century
2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Yehudi Menuhin, truly one of music’s most international figures. He was also one of those people who seem to have been born at just the right time in history. It was the dawn of the age of recorded music, and Menuhin started his relationship with recordings …
The Cello Suites According to Anna Magdalena, and Matt Haimovitz
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Haimovitz, the American cellist who garnered a lot of attention fifteen years ago, when he performed in “unusual” venues, including brew pubs and rock clubs. This was ground-breaking stuff back then; now it seems less surprising to see a cadre of bass-instrument players strike bow to …
Introducing violinist Itamar Zorman
Until now, all of the “audio blogs” that I’ve posted have been either about CDs by established artists and ensembles, or interviews with established musicians on their latest recording. In this case, it’s a review of a new CD, and an introduction of a bright new talent on the classical music scene: Itamar Zorman. Born …
A Lotta Scarlatti
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 …
Pitman Review: The Marriage of Figaro
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 …
