a virtual journal and blog of the classical music scene in Boston
Robert Levin, editor; Bettina A. Norton, executive editor; Lee Eiseman, publisher
News & Features
April 2, 2010
The “New” in NEC: The Buzz from New Faculty, New Programs, New Events
by BMINT STAFF
On April 7, New England Conservatory Philharmonia Orchestra is putting on a concert for what is believed to be the first time in Symphony Hall. Conducted by Chair of Orchestral Conducting Hugh Wolff, the concert features NEC’s Artist Diploma candidate cellist Narek Hakhnazarian in Schumann’s Cello Concerto, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. [...]
March 31, 2010
Ghostwriter Honors Intelligencer
by John Sullivan Dwight
To the esteemed editorial staff of the Boston Musical Intelligencer, In the more than a century since my passing, not in my wildest dreams would I have contemplated a musical world that you now have in Boston. Some issues I do not comprehend, some fill me with great pride, some I note with concern. But [...]
March 27, 2010
WGBH to BMInt, “We decline to respond.”
by BMINT STAFF
Just released monthly (February) Arbitron ratings, respected indicators that track radio listenership, show that since the November changes, audience at the new all-talk WGBH has remained flat and at the new all-classical WCRB has declined. It seems timely therefore to revisit the issue of what is going on at these stations. BMInt recognizes WGBH management’s [...]
March 22, 2010
B S O Music Director James Levine withdraws from rest of season.
by BMINT STAFF
Maestro Levine will miss the remainder of the season, citing back problems for the cancellation. “This has been a difficult year for James Levine and we wish him the very best as he works with his doctors towards resolving his ongoing back problems,” said BSO Managing Director Mark Volpe. Jayce Ogren will conduct the world premiere of Peter Lieberson’s Songs of Love and Sorrow on March 25, 26, and 27. Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos will conduct Mendelssohn’s Elijah on April 1,2, and 3. The conductor for the program on April 8, 9, and 10, featuring John Harbison’s Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with soloists Mira Wang and Jan Vogler and Mahler’s Symphony No. 7, will be announced later this week.
etcetera
by Richard Buell
Richard Buell will be contributing a column from time to time on music in Boston. His first for BMInt features excerpts from Francis Poulenc, “‘Echo and Source’: Selected Correspondence 1915-1963,” translated and edited by Sidney Buckland; research consultant: Patrick Saul (London: Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1991) “What a dismal town” — Francis Poulenc, the Gloria, and [...]
March 19, 2010
BMINT Has Productive Week
by Lee Eiseman
The Boston Musical Intelligencer has posted reviews of 17 concerts between March 10th and the 17th- way too many for our virtual front page. So we encourage you to click our “Reviews” and “News and Features” buttons and have a look at the older reviews and articles which have been pushed down below the break. You can also use the search box when looking for a specific keyword. We also wish to share with our readers that the site’s average daily hit rate for March stands at 10,577. Thanks to all our readers and writers. And if you hear something, write something!
March 15, 2010
Remembering Lukas
by Mark DeVoto
To be at Tanglewood for six weeks in 1959 as a student at the Berkshire Music Center was not a bad way to spend a summer between sophomore and junior years of college. The Fromm Foundation had recently instituted its summer program in support of contemporary music; the Lenox Quartet was in residence, along with [...]
March 10, 2010
Japan to Accept Britten Score, 70 Years after its Commission
by BMINT STAFF
The Consul General of Japan in Boston, Masaru Tsuji, will be at the NEC Philharmonia concert at Jordan Hall this evening to receive a copy of the Benjamin Britten score, Sinfonia da Requiem. Originally commissioned by the Japanese government in 1940 for a celebration of the 2600th anniversary of that country, the composition was, according to Ben Zander, rejected because of its Christian movement titles and was never performed there.
Benjamin Zander, guest conductor of the NEC Philharmonia, notes, “We are deeply moved by Britten’s composition and by the grace of Japan’s esteemed diplomatic representative in receiving the score 70 years after the event.” [Click title for Ben Zander's Letter]
March 7, 2010
Explanation of Clarity versus Reverberation in Concert Acoustics
by David Griesinger
In his review here in the Intelligencer of the recent recital by violinist Thomas Zehetmair at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Christoph Wolff mentioned that the acoustics in the Stephen D. Bechtel Auditorium, designed primarily for symposia and lectures, “…was remarkably good in every respect. ” Wolff’s comment deserves some expansion on the [...]
March 5, 2010
Emmanuel Church Celebrates Institution of New Rector with Special Offering from Emmanuel Music
by BMINT STAFF
BMInt interviewed composer and Emmanuel Music director, John Harbison, and the Rev. Pamela L. Werntz, who is to be instituted as rector this Sunday. The 10:00 AM regular service will include Bach’s Cantata No. 163 in English, and a motet by James Primosch. The 3:00 PM special service of institution will feature a repeat of [...]