“Amid tears and sorrow”: Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax at Tanglewood

By Kevin Wells, 04 August 2020

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“the Allegro vivace chased all the clouds away”

Reviewed at Linde Center, Lenox on 4 August 2020

Brahms, Violin Sonata no. 3 in D minor, Op.108 (Adagio)

Beethoven, Cello Sonata no. 3 in A major, Op.69

Mendelssohn, Song without words in D major, Op.109

Yo-Yo Ma, Cello

Emanuel Ax, Piano

Weinberg rarity overshadows John Williams at the New York Philharmonic

Cameron Kelsall, 1st March

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.

****1

Matthias Pintscher: a triple threat comes to Disney Hall

Néstor Castiglione, 13th November

Los Angeles Philharmonic audiences got a taste of Pintscher as conductor, concerto partner, and composer.

*****

Worthy world premiere of John Williams’ Piano Concerto at Tanglewood

Kevin Wells, 26th July

John Williams' new concerto evokes the spirit of jazz virtuosos, paying tribute to Art Tatum, Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson.

****1

New beginnings: Michael Tilson Thomas opens NY Phil season with Mahler

Kevin W Ng, 12th September

Michael Tilson Thomas' energy and wisdom remain undimmed in the New York Philharmonic's season opener.

*****

Brahms and Beethoven for (5000 and) Three

Rohan Shotton, 31st August

Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax and Leonidas Kavakos hold a sold-out Royal Albert Hall to rapt attention for some astonishing chamber music.

*****

Tanglewood fellows impress in Strauss, Beethoven and Ives

Cameron Kelsall, 21st July

Andris Nelsons and Emanuel Ax find inspiration working with their young colleagues on an idyllic Sunday in the Berkshires.

****1

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!