Human beings are living longer - and so are performing artists. The question of when they retire gracefully isn't going away, and, if anything, will only require more finesse as musical legends have increasingly few reasons to retire. That question inevitably arose as pianist Menahem Pressler, the multi-decade soul of the Beaux Arts Trio, was helped onto the Kimmel Center … [Read more...] about Pianist Menahem Pressler at age 94: Fragile, fallible, but still a credit to his legacy?
Michael Gordon’s Acquanetta: Backstage carnage amid on-screen horror
Mystery is the canny substitute for substance. The less that is known, the more implication can spin grandeur out of the mundane. And that explains Acquanetta, the single-named Hollywood star of 1940s B-movies like Captive Wild Woman who wouldn't have had even her brief heyday without the veil of ambiguity. Certainly, she wouldn't be the namesake of Michael Gordon's recently … [Read more...] about Michael Gordon’s Acquanetta: Backstage carnage amid on-screen horror
‘A Room in India’ at Park Avenue Armory: A theater titan stumbles? Or fights back?
Those who like theater that’s epic, brainy and political couldn't have had a more irresistible ticket than A Room in India - no matter how expensive it was. Théâtre du Soleil, the Paris-based crucible headed by director Ariane Mnouchkine, has a history of indelible appearances at the Lincoln Center Festival and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. One need only see … [Read more...] about ‘A Room in India’ at Park Avenue Armory: A theater titan stumbles? Or fights back?
Janine Jansen at Carnegie Hall without veneer – or microphones breathing down her neck.
What price freedom? Carnegie Hall's Perspectives series allows its selected artist-curators to have something close to carte blanche over multiple concerts in numerous different forums. This year, the glamorous Dutch violinist Janine Jansen is one of those artists, and later in the season, she'll be joined by the Philadelphia Orchestra in a performance of the esteemed but … [Read more...] about Janine Jansen at Carnegie Hall without veneer – or microphones breathing down her neck.
Another classical music critic is sent into the night … and this time it’s me.
Life in the newspaper world these days can't help but feel like Russian Roulette. With every wave of layoffs, my position has seemed that much closer to its end. And I'm surprised that I lasted as long as I did. But as of December 8th, after 17-plus years, I will no longer be on the Philadelphia Inquirer fine arts staff. I will continue to freelance for the Inquirer, but … [Read more...] about Another classical music critic is sent into the night … and this time it’s me.