Did you know you could move AHEAD into the 19th century? Just explore the music of Delphine von Schauroth. With no living descendants to promote her music, her amazing Sonate Brillante in Cmin yet survives, full of life-affirming vigor and depth. Pianist Arcadie Triboi has a shimmering recording.

Shoutout to the Berkeley (CA) Youth Orchestra for their excellent concert today. A highlight was mvmt 1 from Mozart’s “Jupiter” symphony which they performed with clean playing and beautiful intonation. Bravi to these young musicians.

Re-upping this after today, 02/28/25.

Hilary Hahn playing Brahm’s Violin Concerto tonight. An evocative composition performed with humane virtuosity can lift a listener up off this suffering earth and into the clouds. What more is there to say? (NY Phil conducted by M Pintscher)

Did you know there’s great chamber music at Drew U in NJ? Players from CMS of Lincoln Center stopped by last night to perform Felix Mendelssohn String Quintet in Amaj, and Mozart String Quintet in Cmaj. Hearing these works together highlights differences in melody, harmony and textures. Fascinating.

I have news for you: there are two Mendelssohns. Recently we heard a ravishing piano work, Das Jahr (The Year), by the sister of Felix: Fanny Mendelssohn. The 12 rich narratives of Fanny’s pieces depict deep emotions, all expressed in poetic yet powerful playing by Anna Shelest. Masterful recital.

Oh and Brahms’ piano quintet. ‘Nuff said.

TBH we weren’t familiar with Prokofiev’s 2nd Piano Concerto so we did our HW. The final exam was hearing Seong-Jin Cho play it live at the NY Phil under Rouvali. With brilliant technique grounded in emotion, Cho revealed the ardent poetry buried within this tumultuous work. Moving.

TBH we weren’t familiar with Prokofiev’s 2nd Piano Concerto so we did our HW. The final exam was hearing Seong-Jin Cho play it live at the NY Phil under Rouvali. With brilliant technique grounded in emotion, Cho revealed the ardent poetry buried within this tumultuous work. Moving.

Tonight’s goal: hear the Berg violin concerto live, with Veronika Eberle giving a beautiful performance. Another highlight was the conductor Karina Canellakis’ interpretation of Messiaen’s Les Offrandes oubliées, guiding the NY Phil to a profound, otherworldly plane. Transcendent concert.

Wow. We happened upon a gorgeous cello recital last night from Tim Gavriilidis-Petrin. He played Brahms Sonata 2 with impeccable technique and profound interpretation. Also Poulenc, Janáček and Papandopulo, all with beautiful accompaniment from Alexia Mouza. Memorable evening in Merkin Hall.

We were lucky to hear Beatrice Rana at NY Phil tonight playing Mendelssohn’s First Piano Concerto. Her fine playing was powerful in the outer movements, poignant in the slow movement.

Just letting you know that the Met Opera redeemed its Aida tonight. We got to hear Angel Blue with SeokJung Baek. Pure, ravishing, and heartbreaking. Great supports were Judit Kutasi, Morris Robinson, Quinn Kelsey and Harold Wilson.