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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.

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Fabio Luisi, Eric Lu and the Boston Symphony Orchesta © Hilary Scott, courtesy of the BSO

Sedate Chopin and Brahms from Fabio Luisi and Eric Lu at Tanglewood

By Cameron Kelsall, 12 July 2026

2025 Chopin Competition laureate and Massachusetts native Eric Lu makes his debut at the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home in the Berkshires.

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Fabio Luisi, Eric Lu and the Boston Symphony Orchesta © Hilary Scott, courtesy of the BSO

Sedate Chopin and Brahms from Fabio Luisi and Eric Lu at Tanglewood

By Cameron Kelsall

Marc-André Hamelin © Benjamin Ealovega

No final thoughts: Marc-André Hamelin

By Cameron Kelsall, 07 July 2026

The Canadian virtuoso pianist and composer talks about returning to an old friend: Brahms, whose Second Piano Concerto and Horn Trio he performs in several concerts with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Marc-André Hamelin © Benjamin Ealovega

No final thoughts: Marc-André Hamelin

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Pete Checchia

Philadelphia Orchestra closes its season with a pair of American masters

By Cameron Kelsall, 07 June 2026

Hélène Grimaud and Emily D'Angelo join Yannick Nézet-Séguin for a varied and variable program of Gershwin and Bernstein.

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Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Pete Checchia

Philadelphia Orchestra closes season with a pair of American masters

By Cameron Kelsall

Aaron Diehl, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

The Philadelphia Orchestra debuts Tyshawn Sorey’s static Piano Concerto

By Cameron Kelsall, 15 May 2026

Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads the premiere of For Marilyn Crispell alongside the 1873 version of Bruckner’s “Wagner Symphony”, the Third.

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Aaron Diehl, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

Philadelphia Orchestra debuts Tyshawn Sorey’s static Piano Concerto

By Cameron Kelsall

Andrés Orozco-Estrada © Werner Kmetitsch

LA Philharmonic celebrates the California spirit with Andrés Orozco-Estrada

By Cameron Kelsall, 03 May 2026

The program features Maria Dueñas in Korngold's Violin Concerto and a moving tribute to LA native Michael Tilson Thomas

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Andrés Orozco-Estrada © Werner Kmetitsch

LA Phil celebrates the California spirit with Andrés Orozco-Estrada

By Cameron Kelsall

Jonghyun Park (The Stranger) and Susanne Burgess (Thorn Rose) © Steven Pisano

A sorta fairy tale: Sleepers Awake premieres at Opera Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 22 April 2026

A new opera by Gregory Spears subverts the Sleeping Beauty trope, with middling results.

**111

Jonghyun Park (The Stranger) and Susanne Burgess (Thorn Rose) © Steven Pisano

A sorta fairy tale: Sleepers Awake premieres at Opera Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

Harry Bicket © Dario Acosta

A superb Salzburg sojourn: the Philadelphia Orchestra plays Mozart

By Cameron Kelsall, 11 April 2026

Guest conductor Harry Bicket brings a sense of urgency to Mozart's Requiem and pulse-quickening energy to Symphony no. 40.

****1

Harry Bicket © Dario Acosta

A superb Salzburg sojourn: Philadelphia Orchestra plays Mozart

By Cameron Kelsall

Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra © Chris Lee

Andris Nelsons and the BSO arrive in New York, with baggage in tow

By Cameron Kelsall, 09 April 2026

In his first New York appearance since the termination of his contract as BSO Music Director, Nelsons courts public sympathy and makes some thrilling music.

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Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra © Chris Lee

Andris Nelsons and the BSO arrive in New York, with baggage in tow

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito (2025)

Amy Beach’s Gaelic returns to the Philadelphia Orchestra after 100-year absence

By Cameron Kelsall, 12 March 2026

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s latest concert also features Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto with Marc-André Hamelin.

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Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito (2025)

Amy Beach’s Gaelic returns to Philadelphia after 100-year absence

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

When we dead awaken: Mahler 2 returns to Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 08 March 2026

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra deliver a supreme meditation on the power of music and faith.

*****

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

When we dead awaken: Mahler 2 returns to Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and Emanuel Ax © Fadi Kheir

Weinberg rarity overshadows John Williams premiere at New York Philharmonic

By Cameron Kelsall, 01 March 2026

John Williams put butts in seats with the New York debut of his Piano Concerto, but the NY Phil's first performances of Mieczysław Weinberg’s Symphony no. 5 stole the show.

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Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and Emanuel Ax © Fadi Kheir

Weinberg rarity overshadows John Williams at the New York Philharmonic

By Cameron Kelsall

Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Hilary Hahn and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jessica Griffin

Hilary Hahn returns to the stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 13 February 2026

After a six-month break to address persistent injuries, the bravura violinist appears in one of her signature pieces: Prokofiev's Violin Concerto no. 1.

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Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Hilary Hahn and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jessica Griffin

Hilary Hahn returns to the stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall

Rafael Payare conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

Rarities surround Tchaikovsky favorite at the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 06 February 2026

Concertmaster David Kim performs Tchaikovsky's ever-popular Violin Concerto, and conductor Rafael Payare revisits Falla's El amor brujo.

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Rafael Payare conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

Rarities surround Tchaikovsky favorite at the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall

Justin Vivian Bond (Sue) © Steven Pisano

Opera by committee: Opera Philadelphia premieres Complications in Sue

By Cameron Kelsall, 04 February 2026

Opera Philadelphia commissions ten composers to tell the story of an ordinary woman's idiosyncratic march from cradle to tomb.

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Justin Vivian Bond (Sue) © Steven Pisano

Opera by committee: Opera Philadelphia premieres Complications in Sue

By Cameron Kelsall

Wu Man © Sebastian Schutyser

Du Yun's Ears of the Book: a spotlight on the pipa in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 22 January 2026

Co-commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the concerto highlights Wu Man, a virtuoso player of the Chinese lute.

**111

Wu Man © Sebastian Schutyser

Du Yun's Ears of the Book: a spotlight on the pipa in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

Meggie Murphy © Courtesy Meggie Murphy

Rising to the challenge, building a musical career: Meggie Murphy

By Cameron Kelsall, 21 January 2026

Young trombonist Meggie Murphy talks about the challenges of becoming a professional musician, the importance of mentorship, and the important role played by LSO Conservatoire Scholarship scheme.

Meggie Murphy © Courtesy Meggie Murphy

Rising to the challenge, building a musical career: Meggie Murphy

By Cameron Kelsall

Dalia Stasevska conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jessica Griffin

Eastman and Italy dominate Dalia Stasevska's second week in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 16 January 2026

For the first time ever, the Philadelphia Orchestra perform music by Julius Eastman (1940-1990), a graduate of the nearby Curtis Institute.

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Dalia Stasevska conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jessica Griffin

Eastman and Italy dominate Stasevska's second week in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

Dalia Stasevska conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Margo Reed (2023)

Augustin Hadelich delivers exhilarating Barber concerto in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 11 January 2026

Guest conductor Dalia Stasevska conducts an earthbound reading of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony.

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Dalia Stasevska conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Margo Reed (2023)

Hadelich delivers exhilarating Barber concerto in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

Emi Ferguson, Kangmin Justin Kim (The Painter) and Anthony Roth Costanzo (The Poet) © Steven Pisano

A didactic Decameron: The Seasons at Opera Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 20 December 2025

Conceived by Anthony Roth Costanzo and Sarah Ruhl, this high-handed pasticcio sets the climate crisis to a soundtrack of Vivaldi.

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Emi Ferguson, Kangmin Justin Kim (The Painter) and Anthony Roth Costanzo (The Poet) © Steven Pisano

A didactic Decameron: The Seasons at Opera Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe © Julia Wesely

Chamber Orchestra of Europe brings all-Brahms evening to Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 10 December 2025

Conducted by honorary member Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the COE’s all-Brahms concert features the composer's First Symphony and final major work, the Double Concerto for Violin and Cello.

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The Chamber Orchestra of Europe © Julia Wesely

Chamber Orchestra of Europe brings all-Brahms evening to Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

María Dueñas and Yannick Nézet-Séguin © Allie Ippolito (2024)

María Dueñas enlivens Philadelphia Orchestra's holiday weekend concert

By Cameron Kelsall, 30 November 2025

The Spanish-born, Vienna-based violinist performs Lalo's Symphonie espagnole for her subscription debut.

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María Dueñas and Yannick Nézet-Séguin © Allie Ippolito (2024)

María Dueñas enlivens Philadelphia Orchestra's holiday weekend concert

By Cameron Kelsall

Elliot Kempton © Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Overcoming the pressures facing young musicians: Elliot Kempton

By Cameron Kelsall, 13 November 2025

Young viola player Elliot Kempton, member of the Fibonacci Quartet, talks about the LSO Conservatoire Scholarship scheme, which aims to alleviate the acute financial pressures facing young musicians today...

Elliot Kempton © Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Overcoming the pressures facing young musicians

By Cameron Kelsall

Raphaël Pichon conducts the Orchestra of St Luke's © Fadi Kheir

Raphaël Pichon crafts inventive Beethoven program with Orchestra of St Luke's

By Cameron Kelsall, 06 November 2025

The French conductor pairs Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with several of the composer’s more obscure miniatures, performed alongside thematically related poetry.

*****

Raphaël Pichon conducts the Orchestra of St Luke's © Fadi Kheir

Pichon crafts inventive Beethoven program with Orchestra of St Luke's

By Cameron Kelsall

Esa-Pekka Salonen with Daniel Matsukawa, Philippe Tondre, Ricardo Morales and Jennifer Montone © Jessica Griffin

Esa-Pekka Salonen leads an Austrian feast at the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 18 October 2025

A delightful Mozart appetizer leads to a satisfying account of Bruckner's Fourth Symphony.

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Esa-Pekka Salonen with Daniel Matsukawa, Philippe Tondre, Ricardo Morales and Jennifer Montone © Jessica Griffin

Salonen leads an Austrian feast at the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall

Soloists, Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival Chorus © Winslow Townson, courtesy of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

An earthbound Missa Solemnis from the Boston Symphony Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 11 October 2025

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of Symphony Hall, Andris Nelsons returns to the work that opened the venue on 15th October 1900.

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Soloists, Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival Chorus © Winslow Townson, courtesy of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

An earthbound Missa Solemnis from Boston Symphony Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall

Yunchan Lim and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Margo Reed

Brilliant Bartók and an Adams premiere from the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 04 October 2025

Yunchan Lim makes his long-awaited local debut in collaboration with his frequent partner Marin Alsop, the orchestra's newly minted Principal Guest Conductor.

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Yunchan Lim and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Margo Reed

Brilliant Bartók and an Adams premiere from the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin © Allie Ippolito

Contemporary works populate Philadelphia Orchestra's opening night

By Cameron Kelsall, 25 September 2025

Audiences drawn in by Yuja Wang's performance of the Ravel Piano Concerto are also treated to Julia Wolfe and Arturo Márquez.

****1

Yannick Nézet-Séguin © Allie Ippolito

Contemporary works populate Philadelphia Orchestra's opening night

By Cameron Kelsall

Scott Conner (Lord Sidney) © Steven Pisano

A long, strange trip: Opera Philadelphia’s Il viaggio a Reims

By Cameron Kelsall, 19 September 2025

The intrepid company brings Damiano Michieletto’s well-traveled production of a Rossini rarity to the US for the first time.

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Scott Conner (Lord Sidney) © Steven Pisano

A long, strange trip: Opera Philadelphia’s Il viaggio a Reims

By Cameron Kelsall

Earl Lee conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra © Hilary Scott, courtesy of the BSO

As usual, Beethoven ushers out the Boston Symphony season at Tanglewood

By Cameron Kelsall, 24 August 2025

The season-ending performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony loses its intended conductor but remains enjoyable, if somewhat under-rehearsed.

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Earl Lee conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra © Hilary Scott, courtesy of the BSO

As usual, Beethoven ushers out the BSO season at Tanglewood

By Cameron Kelsall

Kazuki Yamada conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra © Hilary Scott, courtesy of the BSO

A galactic adventure at Tanglewood: Kazuki Yamada and The Planets

By Cameron Kelsall, 23 August 2025

The guest conductor pairs Holst's perennial crowd pleaser with Poulenc's Gloria, a work deeply associated with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

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Kazuki Yamada conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra © Hilary Scott, courtesy of the BSO

A galactic adventure at Tanglewood: Kazuki Yamada and The Planets

By Cameron Kelsall

Renée Fleming with the Philadelphia Orchestra © Erica Miller

Climate change and classic arias: Renée Fleming in Saratoga Springs

By Cameron Kelsall, 15 August 2025

Fleming's program, an outgrowth of her Grammy-winning album Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene, makes an urgent case for the preservation of the world's natural wonders.

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Renée Fleming with the Philadelphia Orchestra © Erica Miller

Climate change and classic arias: Renée Fleming in Saratoga Springs

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Francesco D’Amico

Heaven is a place on earth: Verdi's Requiem in Saratoga Springs

By Cameron Kelsall, 14 August 2025

Returning to the first work he officially conducted as the Philadelphia Orchestra's Music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin offers a powerful study in contrasts, supported by a superb quartet of opera soloists.

*****

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Francesco D’Amico

Heaven is a place on earth: Verdi's Requiem in Saratoga Springs

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Ironglass Productions

The Philadelphia Orchestra brings William Grant Still to Saratoga

By Cameron Kelsall, 13 August 2025

Still's Second Symphony anchors a Saratoga program that also featured familiar hits by Stravinsky and Rachmaninov.

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Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Ironglass Productions

The Philadelphia Orchestra brings William Grant Still to Saratoga

By Cameron Kelsall

Marin Alsop conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra © Tong Hao, courtesy of Ravinia Festival

Ravinia Festival opens with bombastic Gershwin, emotional Tchaikovsky

By Cameron Kelsall, 12 July 2025

Under Marin Alsop, the Chicago Symphony string players also offered a lyrical reading of Jessie Montgomery’s beguiling Strum.

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Marin Alsop conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra © Tong Hao, courtesy of Ravinia Festival

Ravinia Festival opens with bombastic Gershwin, emotional Tchaikovsky

By Cameron Kelsall

Joe Hisaishi © NIck Rutter

Joe Hisaishi thrills Studio Ghibli fans in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 25 June 2025

The iconic composer-conductor paired two recent works with a suite from the beloved Spirited Away in a performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

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Joe Hisaishi © NIck Rutter

Joe Hisaishi thrills Studio Ghibli fans in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

Arsen Soghomonyan (Herman) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

Exciting debut elevates Met Queen of Spades

By Cameron Kelsall, 04 June 2025

Galina Cheplakova steps in for Sonya Yoncheva in the penultimate performance of this revival, winning over the audience with vocal clarity and dramatic commitment.

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Arsen Soghomonyan (Herman) © Ken Howard | Met Opera

Exciting debut elevates Met Opera The Queen of Spades

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra and soloists © Jessica Griffin

Yannick’s debut, Stemme’s farewell: Tristan und Isolde in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 01 June 2025

The Philadelphia Orchestra offers a musically and dramatically urgent performance of Wagner’s complete opera, buoyed by world-class soloists.

*****

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra and soloists © Jessica Griffin

Yannick’s debut, Stemme’s farewell: Tristan und Isolde in Philly

By Cameron Kelsall

Lara Downes and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

The Philadelphia Orchestra discovers Florence Price once again

By Cameron Kelsall, 29 May 2025

Lara Downes and Yannick Nézet-Séguin offer the subscription debut of Price's Piano Concerto in One Movement, followed by the ultimate crowd pleaser, Beethoven's Ninth.

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Lara Downes and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

The Philadelphia Orchestra discovers Florence Price once again

By Cameron Kelsall

Renée Fleming and the New York Philharmonic © Brandon Patoc

Scenes from a marriage: The Brightness of Light at the NY Philharmonic

By Cameron Kelsall, 18 May 2025

Kevin Puts' song cycle inspired by the correspondence of Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz makes its long-awaited New York debut, featuring Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry.

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Renée Fleming and the New York Philharmonic © Brandon Patoc

Scenes from a marriage: The Brightness of Light at the NY Phil

By Cameron Kelsall

Pekka Kuusisto © Elizabeth Asher, courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association

Salonen brings Bryce Dessner's Violin Concerto to the LA Philharmonic

By Cameron Kelsall, 04 May 2025

Leading his former orchestra and soloist Pekka Kuusisto, Esa-Pekka Salonen bookends his San Francisco commission with two crowd-pleasers from the standard repertory.

****1

Pekka Kuusisto © Elizabeth Asher, courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association

Salonen brings Bryce Dessner's Violin Concerto to the LA Philharmonic

By Cameron Kelsall

Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

Mahler 6: Philadelphia Orchestra hammers home the point

By Cameron Kelsall, 10 April 2025

Yannick Nézet-Séguin presents the composer's "Tragic" Symphony without an ounce of fat on the bone, a relentless and exhilarating journey.

*****

Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

Mahler 6: Philadelphia Orchestra hammers home the point

By Cameron Kelsall

Juliette Kang, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Pete Checchia

Bartók concerto showcases one of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s best

By Cameron Kelsall, 05 April 2025

First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang dispatches the perilous demands of Bartók's Second Violin Concerto with practiced ease, on a program that also featured a complete Firebird.

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Juliette Kang, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra © Pete Checchia

Bartók concerto showcases one of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s best

By Cameron Kelsall

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider conducts the New York Philharmonic © Chris Lee

Superb Schumann 2 anchors Szeps-Znaider’s NY Phil conducting debut

By Cameron Kelsall, 04 April 2025

Thomas Larcher’s Returning into darkness, a new work for cello and orchestra, is performed by its dedicatee, Alisa Weilerstein.

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Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider conducts the New York Philharmonic © Chris Lee

Superb Schumann 2 anchors Szeps-Znaider’s NY Phil conducting debut

By Cameron Kelsall

Nathalie Stutzmann conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

Simmering Shostakovich and subpar Schumann at the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 28 March 2025

Stutzmann's program also features the Orchestra's premiere of Missy Mazzoli's arresting tone poem, Orpheus Undone.

****1

Nathalie Stutzmann conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

Simmering Shostakovich and subpar Schumann from Stutzmann in Philly

By Cameron Kelsall

Manfred Honeck © Nancy Andrews

Strauss and Shostakovich dominate Pittsburgh Symphony program

By Cameron Kelsall, 23 March 2025

Sheku Kanneh-Mason makes his local debut in Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto, followed by a fantasia on Arabella conceived by Music Director Manfred Honeck.

****1

Manfred Honeck © Nancy Andrews

Strauss and Shostakovich dominate Pittsburgh Symphony program

By Cameron Kelsall

Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

Dazzlingly dexterous Ravel from Aimard and Vӓnskӓ in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 07 March 2025

The Philadelphia Orchestra's concert also served as a tribute to Michael Tilson Thomas, who was to have conducted the performance before withdrawing for cancer treatment.

****1

Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

Dazzlingly dexterous Ravel from Aimard and Vӓnskӓ in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall

Janine Jansen, Sir Antonio Pappano and members of the LSO © Chris Lee

Exhilarating Mahler and George Walker from the LSO at Carnegie Hall

By Cameron Kelsall, 05 March 2025

Led by Sir Antonio Pappano, the London Symphony's first New York appearance in two decades also featured Janine Jansen in Bernstein's Serenade after Plato's "Symposium".

****1

Janine Jansen, Sir Antonio Pappano and members of the LSO © Chris Lee

Exhilarating Mahler and Walker from the LSO at Carnegie Hall

By Cameron Kelsall

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

Unexpected delights abound with Grimaud and the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 27 February 2025

Yannick Nézet-Séguin smartly surrounds a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – Brahms’ First Piano Concerto – with less familiar works by Julia Wolfe and Louise Farrenc.

*****

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra © Allie Ippolito

Unexpected delights abound with Grimaud and the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall

Roderick Williams © Theo Williams

Bumpy love songs from Roderick Williams and Julius Drake at PCMS

By Cameron Kelsall, 12 February 2025

A fully produced performance of Brahms' Die schӧne Magelone in Philadelphia, complete with on-stage narrator and bespoke drawings, proved less than the sum of its parts.

**111

Roderick Williams © Theo Williams

Bumpy love songs from Roderick Williams and Julius Drake at PCMS

By Cameron Kelsall

The Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

A voyage to The Planets with Daniele Rustioni and the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall, 01 February 2025

Gustav Holst's perennial audience favorite provides pure comfort food, paired here with Ravel and an organ rarity by Alfredo Casella.

****1

The Philadelphia Orchestra © Jeff Fusco

The Planets with Daniele Rustioni and the Philadelphia Orchestra

By Cameron Kelsall