I reviewed the Kansas City Symphony with guest conductor Ludovic Morlot and pianist George Li for The Kansas City Star. Maybe I shoulda gone with "bleak January night" instead of "dreary," but oh well. For a brief time read the review here.
Review: KCSymphony with Noah Geller
I reviewed the Kansas City Symphony with guest conductor Cristian Măcelaru for The Kansas City Star. Noah Geller, KCS concertmaster, performed the Bartok Violin Concerto no.2. For a brief time read the review here.
KCStudio Jan/Feb 2017
I wrote three stories for this issue: an overview of the Californos' Opera Supper, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, a feature on guitarist Beau Bledsoe, founder of Ensemble Iberica, and my column Concert to Come about Friends of Chamber Music's Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, Alexei Lubimov and Malcolm Bilson. As always, the issue... Continue Reading →
2016 Cultural Moments: Adventures in Art Making
The Kansas City Star compiled a list of the top cultural moments of 2016 from its staff and freelancers. I selected 15 personal faves from the last 12 months. Read the full list here and I've linked to the reviews below. KCSymphony: Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy | Joyce DiDonato and il Pomo d'Oro: In War... Continue Reading →
Quoted: Merriam-Webster
So the dictionary quoted me today.... That's a surreal little missive to receive--"We wanted to let you know that you were quoted in today’s Merriam-Webster Word of the Day.""--doesn't that seem like spam? I'm getting the biggest kick of this, goodness gracious the internet is just the weirdest thing, so please just indulge me.
Review: Ensemble Iberica “The Kilmore Carols”
I reviewed Ensemble Ibérica's Christmas offering, "The Kilmore Carols," for The Kansas City Star. For a brief time read the review here.
Review: “In War & Peace: Harmony through Music”
I reviewed "In War & Peace: Harmony Through Music," a concert/project by Joyce DiDonato and Il Pomo d'Oro, for The Kansas City Star. For a brief time read the review here. This project, with the concert tour and album, also includes a dedicated website to collect responses to the question: "In the midst of chaos,... Continue Reading →
Review: KCBallet “The Nutcracker”
I reviewed Kansas City Ballet's "The Nutcracker" for The Kansas City Star. It's my last visit to the Kauffman Center this year, I think, though a few more reviews and events in the mix. For a brief time read the review here.
Wish List: Małe Instrumenty
Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Sometimes you order a bunch of stuff from Poland and your far-more-budget-conscious spouse gives you the stink-eye and says dismissively, "Do you even know how to read Polish?" And sometimes, after he looks through the books you are so happy to now own (happy early birthday to... Continue Reading →
Review: KCSymphony with Bernard Labadie and Robert Levin
I reviewed the Kansas City Symphony with guest conductor Bernard Labadie and pianist Robert Levin for The Kansas City Star. For a brief time read the review here.
Proust Eats a Sandwich 