Boston Classical Review

17/01/2025

The Beethoven cycle of Andris Nelsons and the BSO continued with a spirited Fourth and notably lyrical Fifth Thursday night.

One repeat for this program Friday afternoon.

Andris Nelsons conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra in music of Beethoven Thursday night at Symphony Hall. Photo: Hilary Scott/BSO

16/01/2025

Pianist Yulianna Avdeeva proved more in synch with music of Liszt than that of Beethoven in her recital Wednesday night at Pickman Hall.

One repeat Thursday at the Groton Hill Music Center.

Yulianna Avdeeva performed a recital Wednesday night at Pickman Hall for the Celebrity Series of Boston. Photo: Robert Torres

10/01/2025

Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra opened 2025 with the finest playing of the season under their music director in the first installment of a complete Beethoven cycle.

Andris Nelsons conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s first three symphonies Thursday night. Photo: Robert Torres

21/12/2024

BCR's Top Ten Performances is posted! Click over to see what were Boston's finest classical performances of the year as well as the rest of our annual musical roundup in our Year in Review.

Andris Nelsons’ annual opera-in-concert weekends with the Boston Symphony Orchestra usually showcase the conductor at his best. This year’s surely did, with the culminating installment of the nine-year survey of Shostakovich’s symphonic output by Nelsons and the orchestra. Music of major histo...

21/12/2024

The Back Bay Chorale brought an American accent to "A Boston Christmas" Friday night at Old South Church.

One repeat 4 p.m. Saturday.

A few days after Boston was designated the “most beautiful winter city in the world,” Mother Nature decided to put that rating to the test.

07/12/2024

Boston Cecilia cast a wide ecuemenical net for their holiday program of "Comfort & Joy" Friday night.

One repeat Sunday in Brookline.

Boston Cecilia performed a holiday program titled “Comfort & Joy” Friday night at Church of the Advent. File photo: BC

07/12/2024

The Boston Camerata's medieval Christmas program resonated gracefully with the present Friday night in Belmont.

Two repeats this weekend at different venues.

Boston Camerata proved that medieval music can resonate as much as holiday music of today in a well-attended performance on Friday night in Belmont. Considered almost a perennial in this ensemble’s repertory, the “Hodie Christus Natus Est” program curated well-flowing storytelling that felt co...

30/11/2024

A trifecta of conductors made for an enjoyable post-Thanksgiving Nordic feast with the BSO Friday afternoon.

One repeat Saturday night.

Sometimes, despite its imposing grandeur and marvelous acoustic, Symphony Hall can feel like an extension of one’s living room. On Friday, it radiated homey vibes.

22/11/2024

Renee Fleming and Rod Gilfry provided memorable moments in Kevin Puts’ “The Brightness of Light,” with Andris Nelsons and the BSO.

Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry were the soloists in Kevin Puts’ The Brightness of Light with Andris Nelsons and the BSO Thursday night. Photo: Hilary Scott

18/11/2024

Benjamin Zander and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra delivered the grandeur and intimacy of Holst's "The Planets."

Benjamin Zander led the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra in Gustav Holst’s The Planets Sunday in Symphony Hall. Photo: Hilary Scott

15/11/2024

An individual "Pathetique" and fresh Mozart from Philippe Jordan, Jan Lisiecki and the BSO Thursday night.

Philippe Jordan conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra Thursday night in music of Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Photo: Winslow Townson

11/11/2024

A lineup of fine singers carried Boston Lyric Opera's concert "Aida" over some orchestral rough edges Sunday afternoon.

Diego Torre and Michelle Johnson starred in Boston Lyric Opera’s concert performance of Verdi’s Aida. Photo: Nile Scott Studios

11/11/2024

Guest conductor Daniel Parsley impressively led the singers off Seraphim Sunday in Cambridge.

Sunday at First Church in Cambridge, Seraphim accomplished this in a heartfelt program of sacred choral works featuring challenging repertoire spanning more than two centuries. Titled “Eternal Voices and Sacred Landscapes,” the program aimed to express the transition from darkness to light, from...

04/11/2024

The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra tackled the duo challenges of Dvořák and Stravinsky most impressively under Benjamin Zander's direction.

The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra under founding conductor Benjamin Zander opened their season Sunday at Symphony Hall with an intense program devoted to the relationship between old and new.

02/11/2024

Passion vied with rough edges in the Jerusalem Quartet's concert Friday night at Jordan Hall for the Celebrity Series.

https://bostonclassicalreview.com/2024/11/jerusalem-quartets-intensity-vies-with-rough-edges-at-jordan-hall/

29/10/2024

Boston Classical Review wants you! We have an opening for a concert reviewer in the Boston area. Apply today.

Solid knowledge of classical repertory is required as well as excellent writing skills. Classical reviewing and/or journalism experience is preferred but not mandatory.

26/10/2024

Reprising his Celebrity Series program of 11 years ago, Paul Lewis's program of Schubert's final three sonatas proved even more insightful the second time around.

Pianist Paul Lewis gave a sparkling program of Schubert for his Celebrity Series recital at Jordan Hall on Friday night. Lewis’ impeccable technique and subtle artistry combined for a powerful performance of Schubert’s final three sonatas.

25/10/2024

A short but sensational program from the BSO Thursday night with Antonio Pappano and Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

https://bostonclassicalreview.com/2024/10/pappano-bso-serve-up-a-season-highlight-in-short-but-insightful-program/