Category Archives: Pitman Reviews
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 …
American Anthem
Adagio for Strings is one of the best-known works by Samuel Barber. It’s arguably one of the most famous pieces of American classical music ever. It’s less-well known as its original use: the slow movement to his string quartet. A recent CD by the Ying Quartet makes the Barber quartet the launch point for a …
