Biber’s life of Christ falls on contemporary ears

Andrew McIntosh and Wild Up

By Kurt Gottschalk, 26 March 2025

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“a stunning display of instrumental dexterity”

Reviewed at The 92nd Street Y: Buttenwieser Hall, New York City on 23 March 2025

Biber, Rosary or "Mystery" Sonatas

Christopher Rountree, Artistic Director

Andrew McIntosh, Violin

Wild Up

New York’s SONIC festival breaks sound barriers

Alexandra Ivanoff, 20th October

Held from 15-23 October, SONIC programmed works by over 80 young composers, presenting their works in 11 venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

New York’s SONIC festival breaks sound barriers

Alexandra Ivanoff, 20th October

Held from 15-23 October, SONIC programmed works by over 80 young composers, presenting their works in 11 venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Apollonian radiance and women scorned: the Britten Sinfonia at Snape

Roy Westbrook, 18th June

Hell holds no fury like a woman scorned, and it was certainly so in Greek mythology, celebrated in this outstanding Aldeburgh Festival performance by the Britten Sinfonia and Helen Charlston.

*****

Black American music finds a new voice at the Concertgebouw

Clare Varney, 18th June

Dutch premieres, new faces and new arrangements result in a concert quite unlike any other from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under Antony Hermus.

****1

A perfect landing with Harding and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra

Mengguang Huang, 17th June

Håkan Hardenberger joins the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Daniel Harding for a thrilling night concluding with a breathtaking, high-energy Beethoven Four.

****1

Improvisatory Gershwin from Ryan Wang with Chromatica Orchestra

Nick Boston, 17th June

Energetic yet atmospheric performances from Chromatica Orchestra, with Ingunn Korsgård Hagen providing firm yet spirited direction.

****1

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.

Biber’s life of Christ falls on contemporary ears: Rosary Sonatas at 92NY