From Concrete to Canyons…
"The idea of the arts is not to be the response to what is going on. It's to be a catalyst for thought and change and an opening up of
People’s Jazz
Still catching up on posts from this past week, but couldn’t let the night pass without a call-out to Brad Mehldau’s set tonight at the People’s Symphony. On a stage
Red Eye
I’ve got one final concert on this week-long musical escapade: Messiaen’s “From the Canyons to the Stars,” with Salonen conducting. In his pre-performance comments, composer-in-residence Stephen Stucky was full of
Movie Music
A longer post is forthcoming about the two Concrete Frequency concerts I’ve heard at Disney Hall, but I can’t let the night pass without a quick word about the world
Midwestern Symphony
When I was attending the University of Notre Dame back in the 90's, I used to drive up from South Bend – occasionally with friends, usually alone – to hear
Nuclear Opera
Last night, I heard John Adams' Doctor Atomic at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the experience was as searing and devastating as the title indicates. In unscripted remarks made
Road Trip
Tomorrow, I fly out for a week-long holiday that will bring me to Chicago and Los Angeles for various excellent musical happenings. Tomorrow, I’ll get my first look at John
Take Two
I found myself at Barbes twice this past weekend, coming away satisfied both times. Friday night featured the latin-jazz-rock sounds of Zemog El Gallo Bueno (loosely translated as "Land of
Classical Gypsies
After yesterday’s Romeo and Juliet matinee, I went for an early nightcap at Joe’s Pub, the excellent performance space attached to the Public Theater on Lafayette Street. They do three