Strings Magazine: Juilliard Quartet Reclaims Its Old Verve
Strings Magazine
Brian Wise
As it nears its 75-year anniversary, the Juilliard String Quartet could easily become the classical equivalent of an oldies rock act, trading on a faded name and reveling in past glories. Yet after several reshuffles to its lineup, the quartet appears to be finding its collective groove again, and a performance at Alice Tully Hall on December 12 drew a sizable and even boisterous audience. To read the full review, click here.
I Care If You Listen: Central Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra of Beijing
I Care If You Listen
Sam Reising
Central Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra of Beijing
This performance is the Carnegie Hall debut of the Central Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra of Beijing. Central Conservatory President Feng Yu, also in his Carnegie Hall debut, will conduct works for modern symphony orchestra and traditional Chinese instruments by eight Chinese composers. For more information, click here.
The New York Times: Juilliard String Quartet Featured in Concerts to See
The New York Times
David Allen
In a big week for the late Beethoven quartets, the storied Juilliard String Quartet plays the Op. 131, as well as the Op. 18, No. 1, and Kurtag’s “6 Moments Musicaux,” at Alice Tully Hall (Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.).
To see the complete list of concerts featured in The New York Times “7 Classical Music Concerts to See in N.Y.C. This Weekend,” click here.
Chicago Tribune: Mahan Esfahani Featured in Best Classical Albums of 2019
Chicago Tribune
Howard Reich
Bach’s Toccatas carry a measure of mystery, in that definitive scores for this music are impossible to come by, leaving performers ample latitude in ornamentation and other details. Harpsichordist Esfahani applies meticulous scholarship to this process yet has produced a vivid recording built on animated performances appropriate to the toccata form.
To see the Chicago Tribune’s complete list of “Best Classical Albums of 2019,” click here.
Chamber Music America Magazine: Bridge Builders
Chamber Music America Magazine
Claire Sykes
It was the last thing they ever expected. When the foursome first teamed up more than 35 years ago, they didn’t think their string quartet would continue for long, let alone become one of the most successful in the world.
The 35-year-old Shanghai Quartet travels as seamlessly between hemispheres as it does between traditional and new music. To read more of the quartet’s feature in Chamber Music America Magazine, click here.
The Canadian Jewish News: Azrieli Prize Winners Explore Diversity of Jewish Music
Yotam Haber, a Dutch-born composer who’s based in New Orleans, is the recipient of the 2020 Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music, the organization announced on Nov. 7. The winner of the 2020 AMP for the best new major work of Jewish music is Yitzhak Yedid, an Israeli-born Australian. For the first time, a third AMP winner was selected this year for the new Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music (not with a Jewish theme). It goes to Keiko Devaux, a composer of music for ensembles, dance and film, who’s currently completing a doctorate in composition at UdeM.
The Canadian Jewish News
Janice Arnold
The distinct musical tradition of the Jews of Rome, who trace their lineage back to their dispersal after the Second Temple’s destruction, will be revived in a new composition that’s being written by the latest winner of a $50,000 commission from the Azrieli Foundation.
Yotam Haber, a Dutch-born composer who’s based in New Orleans, is the recipient of the 2020 Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music, the organization announced on Nov. 7.
His work-in-progress will receive its premiere at the Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP) concert on Oct. 22, 2020, at Salle Pierre Mercure in Montreal, performed by the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, a chamber orchestra in residence at the Université de Montréal (UdeM).
The winner of the 2020 AMP for the best new major work of Jewish music is Yitzhak Yedid, an Israeli-born Australian. The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music also carries a $50,000 cash award.
His “Kiddushim Ve’ Killulim” (“Blessings and Curses”) for voice and ensemble had its debut in 2017. The AMP jury hailed the piece for its unconventional synthesis of ancient religious musical sources with contemporary Western music.
For the first time, a third AMP winner was selected this year for the new Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music (not with a Jewish theme). It goes to Keiko Devaux, a composer of music for ensembles, dance and film, who’s currently completing a doctorate in composition at UdeM.
To read more about the 2020 winners and their works, click here.
Classical Voice North America: Beijing Music Festival is Innovative
“Golden Week” is the name for the national holiday period held in the People’s Republic of China at the beginning of October. This year, it also signaled an earlier-than-usual start to the annual Beijing Music Festival (BMF) — the country’s largest and most extensive festival devoted to classical music.
Classical Voice North America
Thomas May
“Golden Week” is the name for the national holiday period held in the People’s Republic of China at the beginning of October. This year, it also signaled an earlier-than-usual start to the annual Beijing Music Festival (BMF) — the country’s largest and most extensive festival devoted to classical music.
BMF, which unfolds over the course of the month, is also spread out spatially. This year, in its 22nd edition, BMF took place in venues dispersed across this vast, sprawling, restlessly energetic city: from the Poly Theatre and the Forbidden City Concert Hall to an exhibition space in the lively nightlife district of Sanlitun and the enormous, egg-shaped National Centre for the Performing Arts (where the grand opening was held on October 9 for the first time in BMF history). It even extended to the Great Wall north of Beijing (specifically, the Wall’s Shuiguan section).
To read more, click here.
The New York Times: Two Pianists Offer Contrasting Paths of Exploration
The New York Times
Anthony Tommasini
Last week in New York, two brilliant pianists offered examples of adventurous programming in classical music. According to Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times, Marc-André Hamelin’s program lingered with him the most: “That Mr. Hamelin played both works with technical dazzle and wondrous subtleties made the music seem even wilder.” To read the full review, click here.
Strings Magazine: Political Turmoil & Personal Tragedy Inform Composer Qigang Chen’s Emotional New Violin Concerto
Strings Magazine
Greg Cahill
Over the years, Qigang Chen has composed numerous works—from symphonies and chamber pieces to film scores and songs—to become one of China’s foremost composers. In an interview with Greg Cahill of Strings Magazine, he reveals details about his latest violin concerto, La Joie de la souffrance (The Joy of Suffering). To read the complete article and interview, click here.
The New York Times: 6 Classical Music Concerts to See in N.Y.C. Including Marc-André Hamelin
Marc-André Hamelin visits Carnegie Hall on October 22, 2019 at 8:00 PM. Hamelin has always relished performing the most technically challenging of piano music, and there is plenty of it in this recital, with pieces by Scriabin, Prokofiev, and Samuil Feinberg. But this Canadian pianist has recently been recording more canonical works, including a fine account of Schubert’s final sonata, the last work on the program here.
The New York Times
David Allen
Our guide to the city’s best classical music and opera happening this weekend and in the week ahead.
MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN at Carnegie Hall (Oct. 22, 8 p.m.). Hamelin has always relished performing the most technically challenging of piano music, and there is plenty of it in this recital, with pieces by Scriabin, Prokofiev, and Samuil Feinberg. But this Canadian pianist has recently been recording more canonical works, including a fine account of Schubert’s final sonata, the last work on the program here.