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Christopher O’Riley at the Top

CHRISTOPHER O'RILEY, host of NPR's popular 'From the Top,' offers his own bold takes on Liszt on his acclaimed new solo piano album, O'RILEY'S LISZT.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Fleshing Out New Dimensions in Bach’s Music

On his new album, lutenist HOPKINSON SMITH is fleshing out new dimensions of J.S. Bach's Suites nos. 4, 5 and 6 in what he describes as a 'non-violent approach.' Review and interview herein.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Exploring Celestial Harmony

On 'Spheres,' his new album, violin great DANIEL HOPE explores Music of the Spheres, the junction between philosophy, mathematics and music. Blame Pythagoras.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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The Luxurious Perfection of Chanticleer: 35 Years of ‘Clear Singing’

The early music vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER is marking its 35th anniversary with a new album, The Siren's Call. Herewith a retrospective salute and a listener's guide to Chanticleer musts.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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A Fellow Romanian Remembers Dinu Lipatti

On Piano Music of Dinu Lipatti, one Romanian virtuoso, pianist LUIZA BORAC, pays tribute to another, the late DINU LIPATTI (1917-1950), in selections of his works performed on the composer's own favored Bechstein instrument.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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‘As long as you can look fearlessly at the sky, you’ll know you’re pure within’

Introduced on stage in 2005, James Whitbourn's Annelies, the first adaptation of Anne Frank's diary into a large-scale choral work, will at last be released on CD on Jan. 22. Here's our preview of the first important recording ...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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‘Mission’ Possible: Cecilia Bartoli Rules the Classical Roost

With Mission, her acclaimed new album of Agostino Steffani songs, CECILIA BARTOLI is not only getting the best reviews of her distinguished career, but says she is 'going against the typical cliche of a diva, of being beautiful...
by David McGee
 

 
 
 

It’s Got That Swing…: Alexandre Tharaud’s Swinging Paris Le Boeuf Sur le Toit

Recalling the glory days in the 1920s of the famed Paris nightspot Le Boeuf Sur le Toit, French classical pianist Alexandre Tharaud offers a program of material you might have heard in the club when it was sizzling, ranging fro...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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A Master Returns to Bach, With Glorious Results

As a young pianist, András Schiff earned wide esteem for his 1980s recordings of the major keyboard works of J.S. Bach; in recent years, as part of his long-term relationship with ECM, he has gone back to Bach as a sage vetera...
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Senza pedale ma con tanti colori

WITHOUT THE PEDAL BUT WITH PLENTY OF COLORS: in his self-penned essay the towering classical pianist András Schiff discusses the challenges and nuances of J.S. Bach's music poses for the contemporary musician.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Fifty Shades Stokes Interest in Early Music–But for How Long?

In we attempt to answer the penetrating question: Will the current revival of interest in early music via Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album retain its tumescence even after the trilogy’s commercial fortunes have gone ...
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Of Lute Duets and East Meets West, From Elizabethan England to Modern Japan

‘…an air of warmth and accessibility…’ Casual pronouncements are made every so often that the lute songs of Elizabethan England were the pop music of their day. The lutenist is said to be the 16th-century version of...
by David McGee