Globe reviews Lang Lang recital

Lang Lang during his masterclass at Sanders Theatre on Saturday

Matthew Guerrieri reviewed this past Sunday's Celebrity Series recital by pianist Lang Lang, the culmination of the superstar pianist's stay in Boston. Here's a snippet:

"During intermission, Lang swapped the fine-grained German Steinway for a brassier American one (something of a star-privilege trademark for him), then offered all 12 of Chopin’s Op. 25 Études, a fully stocked cabinet of virtuosity highlighting Lang’s penchant for show, not to mention showing off - the two A-minor études, nos. 4 and 11, were thrillingly cocky torrents, the relentless octaves of the B-minor positively blazed."

Read all of A dash of daring serves Lang.

 

 

Celebrity Series of Boston in the News

Left to Right: Former Celebrity Series Executive Director Walter Pierce, incoming Executive Director Gary Dunning, outgoing Executive Director Marty Jones, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and Chairman of the Celebrity Series Board of Directors, Joshua Boger at the Mad About Marty gala, May 2, 2011.

The Celebrity Series of Boston has been in the news in the last few weeks, and this blog is bit behind in getting you the links you need (hey, we've been a little busy), so here's a make-up post:

First up, Lloyd Schwartz, of the Boston Phoenix and NPR's Fresh Air, gaves us his take on the St. Petersburg Philharmonic with Yuri Temirkanov on the podium and Boston native-wunderkind-cellist Alisa Weilerstein as soloist as well as longtime Boston favorite (his and ours) pianist Dubravka Tomsic.

Matthew Guerrieri gave us his review of the eminent Russian orchestra for The Boston Globe.

Northeastern University scholar and author (check out The Last Impresario sometime, if you haven't already) Harlow Robinson reviewed Dubravka Tomsic's recital for the Globe.

Matthew Guerrieri reviewed Dawn Upshaw's April 29 Jordan Hall recital, Cashman Kerr Prince did the same for The Boston Musical Intelligencer.

Mark Shanahan and Meredith Goldstein covered Mad About Marty, the star-studded retirement party for our fearless leader, Marty Jones for the Globe's Names column.

On the blogoshpere, Paul Levy gave us this post on the party on his Not Running a Hospital blog, as did Denise Korn on her K Blog.

Boston Globe review of violinist Bell

Matthew Guerrieri reviewed Friday evening's Celebrity Series concert by Joshua Bell at Symphony Hall. Here's a snippet:

"Bell has always exemplified old-school Romantic virtues, technically accomplished and emotionally flamboyant. If anything, his technique has only gotten better; his bowing, in particular, was a paragon, exceptionally controlled across a range of styles."

Read all of With violinist Bell's aplomb, the bolder the music the better.

Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet Globe review

The Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet made its Boston debut on Friday night at Jordan Hall. Matthew Guerrieri reviewed for The Boston Globe: Berlin Quintet's blend mutes distinctiveness.