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Sam Jacobson

Sam Jacobson

Sam Jacobson has been writing for Bachtrack since 2015 and is currently in Pittsburgh, having previously lived throughout the Midwest. A keen traveler, he endeavors to see all the great orchestras and opera houses across the US and abroad. Outside of music, he works as a software engineer. He also maintains a blog which can be read here.

Author:Sam Jacobson

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Franz-Welser Möst leads a profound Cleveland Orchestra pairing

By Sam Jacobson, 05 October 2025

The Cleveland Orchestra couples a war-torn symphony of Arthur Honegger with Gustav Mahler’s sublime orchestral song cycle Das Lied von der Erde.

*****

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Franz-Welser Möst leads a profound Cleveland Orchestra pairing

By Sam Jacobson

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Manfred Honeck heralds a spirited season opener at the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 26 September 2025

Manfred Honeck inaugurates the new season in Pittsburgh with a Sibelius concerto and a Dvořák symphony, prefaced by a contemporary American work by Christopher Theofanidis.

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Honeck heralds a spirited season opener at the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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Ken-David Masur opens Milwaukee Symphony season with opulent Strauss and Ravel

By Sam Jacobson, 13 September 2025

Ken-David Masur opens his final season in Milwaukee with Ravel’s one-handed wonder and Strauss’ musical autobiography.

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Opulent Strauss and Ravel open Milwaukee Symphony season

By Sam Jacobson

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Chopin and Rachmaninov make for a gorgeous summer evening at The Cleveland Orchestra

By Sam Jacobson, 21 August 2025

Dima Slobodeniouk returns to Cleveland for an evening of Romantic era masterworks, and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii makes a memorable local debut.

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Chopin and Rachmaninov make for a gorgeous summer evening in Cleveland

By Sam Jacobson

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Concertos old and new on Jonathon Heyward’s energetic Baltimore program

By Sam Jacobson, 08 June 2025

Jonathon Heyward led the Baltimore Symphony in a Beethoven piano concerto along with a new Concerto for Orchestra by composer-in-residence James Lee III.

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Concertos old and new on Heyward’s energetic Baltimore program

By Sam Jacobson

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Ma and Honeck offer definitive Dvořák on festive Pittsburgh Symphony program

By Sam Jacobson, 04 June 2025

Yo-Yo Ma returns to Pittsburgh for searing performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto. The enjoyable program also includes a tribute to Fred Rogers.

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Definitive Dvořák from Ma and Honeck on festive Pittsburgh program

By Sam Jacobson

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Giancarlo Guerrero’s Pittsburgh program grows from sprout to symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 30 May 2025

The Pittsburgh Symphony flanks Khachaturian’s flamboyant Violin Concerto with a Brahms symphony and a recent piece from Sean Shepherd.

***11

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Giancarlo Guerrero’s Pittsburgh program grows from sprout to symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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American Panoramas: On the Trail with the Phoenix Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 17 May 2025

Thomas Wilkins conducts the Phoenix Symphony in Grofé’s evocative depiction of the Grand Canyon in a program that also explores a melting pot of Mexican-American influences.

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American Panoramas: On the Trail with the Phoenix Symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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From Bach to Shostakovich, Evgeny Kissin a commanding force in Cleveland recital

By Sam Jacobson, 07 May 2025

Anchored by the piano music of Shostakovich, Evgeny Kissin’s Cleveland recital also explores works of Bach and Chopin.

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From Bach to Shostakovich, Evgeny Kissin a commanding force

By Sam Jacobson

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Kazuki Yamada balances Mozart's grace and Elgar's grandeur in Cleveland debut

By Sam Jacobson, 25 April 2025

Kazuki Yamada selects a regal Mozart piano concerto and a sprawling Elgar symphony for his Cleveland Orchestra debut.

***11

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Yamada balances Mozart's grace and Elgar's grandeur in Cleveland debut

By Sam Jacobson

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Ancient Greece and reimagined Tchaikovsky at the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 11 April 2025

Daniele Rustioni leads the Pittsburgh Symphony in music inspired by Ancient Greece, flanking Kirill Gerstein’s take on Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto that restores the composer’s original intentions.

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Ancient Greece and reimagined Tchaikovsky at the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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Yuja Wang stars in winning Cleveland Orchestra Tchaikovsky program

By Sam Jacobson, 23 March 2025

Yuja Wang conquers Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto, and just as impressive is The Cleveland Orchestra’s powerful take on the same composer’s Fifth Symphony.

****1

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Yuja Wang stars in winning Cleveland Orchestra Tchaikovsky program

By Sam Jacobson

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Lang Lang headlines a festive evening at the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 19 March 2025

Lang Lang gives a dramatic, technically brilliant rendition of Grieg’s beloved piano concerto.

***11

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Lang Lang headlines a festive evening at the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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Elim Chan commands powerful Prokofiev with Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 07 March 2025

The debutante conductor made her mark in Prokofiev, with Jan Lisiecki joining in for Mozart.

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Elim Chan commands powerful Prokofiev with Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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Thomas Adès presents a bold, modernist vision with The Cleveland Orchestra

By Sam Jacobson, 22 February 2025

In a rewarding program of challenging, unfamiliar scores, Thomas Adès and The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus tackle works by Sibelius, Ives, Saariaho, and Adès himself.

*****

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In Cleveland, Thomas Adès presents a bold, modernist vision

By Sam Jacobson

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Virtuosity and contrasts with Dueñas, Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 14 February 2025

From Carlos Simon’s rhythmic energy to Dvořák’s lush melodies, Honeck and the PSO deliver a night of brilliance, with violinist María Dueñas shining in Saint-Saëns.

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Virtuosity and contrasts with Dueñas and Honeck in Pittsburgh

By Sam Jacobson

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Osmo Vänskä leads Pittsburgh Symphony in rich Russian repertoire

By Sam Jacobson, 17 January 2025

Osmo Vänskä’s Pittsburgh program includes key works of Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, prefaced with a recent piece from Samy Moussa.

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Osmo Vänskä leads Pittsburgh Symphony in rich Russian repertoire

By Sam Jacobson

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Dima Slobodeniouk paints portraits of the sea with the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 12 January 2025

Dima Slobodeniouk’s Pittsburgh program is centered around ocean-inspired music of Debussy, Sibelius, and Icelandic composer María Sigfúsdóttir.

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Slobodeniouk paints portraits of the sea with the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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Mendelssohn Choir shines in Pittsburgh Symphony’s mostly choral program

By Sam Jacobson, 06 December 2024

Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony perform five diverse works, culminating in an affecting reading of Fauré’s pensive Requiem.

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Mendelssohn Choir shines in Pittsburgh Symphony’s choral program

By Sam Jacobson

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Santtu-Matias Rouvali journeys across the Baltic in Cleveland Orchestra debut

By Sam Jacobson, 23 November 2024

Santtu-Matias Rouvali unexpectedly debuts with The Cleveland Orchestra, offering an early Sibelius symphony and a Tchaikovsky concerto with Stefan Jackiw.

***11

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Rouvali journeys across the Baltic in Cleveland Orchestra debut

By Sam Jacobson

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Daniil Trifonov opens Chicago residency with imposing recital

By Sam Jacobson, 17 November 2024

Bookended by Tchaikovsky, Daniil Trifonov’s powerfully virtuosic recital also visits the music of Chopin and Barber.

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Daniil Trifonov opens Chicago residency with imposing recital

By Sam Jacobson

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Marek Janowski returns to the Chicago Symphony with majestic Bruckner

By Sam Jacobson, 14 November 2024

Janowski anchors his Chicago Symphony program with Bruckner’s Third, prefacing with music of Weber and Liszt.

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Marek Janowski returns to the CSO with majestic Bruckner

By Sam Jacobson

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Dudamel leads Los Angeles Philharmonic in exuberant celebration of Día de los Muertos

By Sam Jacobson, 01 November 2024

Gustavo Dudamel selects a trio of works by Latin American composers for a colorful and extravagant evening at the LA Phil.

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Dudamel leads LA Phil in exuberant celebration of Día de los Muertos

By Sam Jacobson

Tragic Sibelius and sparkling Ravel from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 20 October 2024

Jukka-Pekka Saraste’s Pittsburgh program makes a strong impression in coloristic works from the early 20th century, while pianist Tom Borrow has a memorable debut.

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Tragic Sibelius, sparkling Ravel from Saraste and Pittsburgh Symphony

By Sam Jacobson

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Klaus Mäkelä guides Cleveland Orchestra through monumental Mahler

By Sam Jacobson, 17 October 2024

Klaus Mäkelä helms Mahler’s Third Symphony, the composer’s longest work, in a journey to remember with inspired playing from instrumentalists and vocalists alike.

*****

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Mäkelä guides Cleveland Orchestra through monumental Mahler

By Sam Jacobson

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Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to Cleveland and introduces his Cello Concerto

By Sam Jacobson, 12 October 2024

After an absence of more than two decades, Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to The Cleveland Orchestra, conducting his own Cello Concerto, flanked by Ravel and Sibelius.

****1

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Salonen returns to Cleveland and introduces his Cello Concerto

By Sam Jacobson

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Dance, variation, symphony: pianist Schaghajegh Nosrati in recital

By Sam Jacobson, 29 September 2024

For her program at Duke University’s piano series, Schaghajegh Nosrati selects a Bach partita, two sets of variations, and Alkan’s massive Symphony for solo piano.

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Dance, variation, symphony: pianist Schaghajegh Nosrati in recital

By Sam Jacobson

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A Romantic Cleveland Orchestra debut for Petr Popelka

By Sam Jacobson, 25 July 2024

In his Cleveland Orchestra debut, Petr Popelka skirts the warhorses: a Franck tone poem, a Dvořák symphony and Korngold’s Violin Concerto with James Ehnes.

****1

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A Romantic Cleveland Orchestra debut for Petr Popelka

By Sam Jacobson

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Manfred Honeck guides Pittsburgh Symphony through musical journeys

By Sam Jacobson, 07 June 2024

Honeck’s Pittsburgh program includes a premiere from Michael Daughtery portraying a cross-country road trip, followed by the inward journey towards enlightenment of Mahler’s Fifth.

***11

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Manfred Honeck guides Pittsburgh Symphony through musical journeys

By Sam Jacobson

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Piotr Anderszewski returns to the Gilmore Festival with probing, poetic recital

By Sam Jacobson, 09 May 2024

The Polish pianist’s Gilmore recital traverses suites by Beethoven, Chopin, Szymanowski, Bartók and Bach, benefitting from thoughtful interpretation.

****1

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Anderszewski returns to the Gilmore Festival

By Sam Jacobson

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Yuja Wang brings dazzling virtuosity and sensitive artistry to the Gilmore Festival

By Sam Jacobson, 08 May 2024

Yuja Wang stuns the Gilmore Festival audience with a formidable program of Messiaen, Debussy, Scriabin, and Chopin – and a generous selection of encores.

****1

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Yuja Wang brings dazzling virtuosity to the Gilmore Festival

By Sam Jacobson

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Gustavo Dudamel and Hilary Hahn lead New York Philharmonic in exuberant Spanish program

By Sam Jacobson, 25 April 2024

The NY Phil’s Music Director Designate makes an unexpected appearance in Spanish works of Ravel framing shimmering showpieces with Hilary Hahn.

***11

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Dudamel and Hahn lead New York Phil in exuberant Spanish program

By Sam Jacobson

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Klaus Mäkelä captivates in vibrant and varied Cleveland Orchestra program

By Sam Jacobson, 13 April 2024

Klaus Mäkelä returns to Cleveland with a recent piece by Jimmy López Bellido, prefacing a pair of English works that feature Sol Gabetta, Thomas Hampson and The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus.

****1

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Klaus Mäkelä captivates in vibrant and varied Cleveland program

By Sam Jacobson

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Associate conductor a last-minute substitute in Arctic Pittsburgh program

By Sam Jacobson, 17 March 2024

Jacob Joyce leads the Pittsburgh Symphony in two Finnish works, both which paint the natural beauty of their composers’ homeland. James Ehnes takes matters a different direction in a work by Bernstein.

***11

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Associate conductor a last-minute sub in Arctic Pittsburgh program

By Sam Jacobson

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Fabio Luisi leads lush Brahms – and a piccolo concerto – in Cleveland

By Sam Jacobson, 09 March 2024

Fabio Luisi leads The Cleveland Orchestra in works of Brahms and Weber, along with a new concerto for piccolo by Oded Zehavi.

***11

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Luisi leads lush Brahms – and a piccolo concerto – in Cleveland

By Sam Jacobson

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Red rocks, interstellar calls, exotic birds... in Cincinnati

By Sam Jacobson, 01 March 2024

The Cincinnati Symphony vividly brings to life sprawling vistas of the American West in a stellar performance of Messiaen’s vast Des Canyons aux étoiles…

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Red rocks, interstellar calls, exotic birds... in Cincinnati

By Sam Jacobson

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Tugan Sokhiev and the Philadelphia Orchestra make compelling case for Shostakovich 4

By Sam Jacobson, 08 February 2024

Tugan Sokhiev leads the Philadelphia Orchestra in a powerful performance of Shostakovich’s haunting Fourth Symphony. Shorter pieces by Gabrieli and Britten offer an enjoyable prelude.

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A compelling case for Shostakovich 4 in Philadelphia

By Sam Jacobson

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Ax, Kavakos and Ma band together for life-affirming Beethoven

By Sam Jacobson, 01 February 2024

Three leading performers join forces for a Beethoven program in Cleveland, all cultivating the highest level of playing from their respective instrument, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

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Ax, Kavakos and Ma band together for life-affirming Beethoven

By Sam Jacobson

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Takács Quartet explores folk-inflected repertoire with Marc-André Hamelin

By Sam Jacobson, 23 January 2024

At the Cleveland Chamber Music Society, the Takács Quartet collaborates with Marc-André Hamelin in works by Price and Dvořák.

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Takács Quartet explores folk-inflected repertoire in Cleveland

By Sam Jacobson

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Garrick Ohlsson’s Beethoven makes for a memorable night at ProMusica Columbus

By Sam Jacobson, 10 December 2023

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra joins forces with Garrick Ohlsson in a Beethoven concerto. Less familiar scores from Schubert and Julia Perry round off the program.

****1

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Garrick Ohlsson’s Beethoven makes for a memorable night at ProMusica

By Sam Jacobson

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Jeremy Denk surveys works by female composers in Oberlin

By Sam Jacobson, 30 November 2023

Jeremy Denk opens his recital with an intricately curated assortment of works by female composers, past and present.

***11

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Jeremy Denk surveys works by female composers in Oberlin

By Sam Jacobson

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Marc-André Hamelin’s bracing Ives anchors memorable Cleveland recital

By Sam Jacobson, 19 November 2023

Marc-André Hamelin opens his recital with the uncompromising demands of Ives’ Concord Sonata, followed by suites of Schumann and Ravel.

****1

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Hamelin’s bracing Ives anchors memorable Cleveland recital

By Sam Jacobson

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Renée Fleming and friends bid adieu to the Emerson String Quartet

By Sam Jacobson, 15 October 2023

In one of their final performances, the Emerson String Quartet comes to Cleveland to present André Previn’s Penelope, featuring Renée Fleming and other special guests.

***11

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Renée Fleming and friends bid adieu to the Emerson String Quartet

By Sam Jacobson

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Welser-Möst, Keenlyside and The Cleveland Orchestra show Mahler in darkness and light

By Sam Jacobson, 13 October 2023

The Cleveland Orchestra offers a compelling take on Maher’s variegated and enigmatic Seventh Symphony, while Sir Simon Keenlyside prefaces with a fine selection of Lieder.

****1

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The Cleveland Orchestra shows Mahler in darkness and light

By Sam Jacobson

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Riccardo Muti concludes Chicago Symphony tenure with a divine Missa solemnis

By Sam Jacobson, 23 June 2023

Riccardo Muti selects Beethoven’s daunting Missa solemnis for his final performance as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony, a performance that proves worthy of his remarkable tenure.

*****

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Riccardo Muti concludes Chicago tenure with a divine Missa solemnis

By Sam Jacobson

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Bold Beethoven bookends Sir Andrew Davis' Minnesota Orchestra program

By Sam Jacobson, 17 June 2023

At the Minnesota Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis contrasts works of Beethoven with Berg’s Violin Concerto and a piece the draws on traditional Chinese folk dance.

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Bold Beethoven bookends Sir Andrew Davis' Minnesota Orchestra program

By Sam Jacobson

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Cincinnati May Festival closes 150th season with a glorious “Symphony of a Thousand”

By Sam Jacobson, 27 May 2023

The May Festival pulls all the stops to close their sesquicentennial season with Mahler’s vast and triumphant Eighth Symphony.

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Cincinnati May Festival closes 150th season with a glorious Mahler 8

By Sam Jacobson

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Requiem, eternal light and crowns of hummingbirds at Cincinnati May Festival

By Sam Jacobson, 25 May 2023

The Cincinnati May Festival pairs a deeply-felt Mozart Requiem with a new work for chorus and orchestra by Julia Adolphe.

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Requiem, eternal light and hummingbirds at Cincinnati May Festival

By Sam Jacobson

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Weilerstein’s bracing Barber highlights varied Cleveland Orchestra program

By Sam Jacobson, 04 May 2023

Alisa Weilerstein is a powerful soloist with The Cleveland Orchestra in Barber’s Cello Concerto, while a new work by Allison Loggins-Hull and a rarely-heard Prokofiev symphony are intriguing but less convincing.

***11

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Weilerstein’s bracing Barber highlights varied Cleveland program

By Sam Jacobson

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Jukka-Pekka Saraste finds beauty in tragedy with the Dallas Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 27 April 2023

Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducts the Dallas Symphony in a Sibelius tone poem and a Shostakovich symphony, both works of great tragedy.

****1

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Saraste finds beauty in tragedy with the Dallas Symphony

By Sam Jacobson