Music

COMING AND CUMMING Gay men and show tunes? I know this sounds shocking, but I wonder how many of you know what a swell fit that is. And to prove it, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) continues  its super-spectacular 38th Season with He Had It Coming, a showcase of Broadway’s best songs for…

A NIGHT THAT WILL BE A DREAM Franz Schubert, the quintessential Romantic composer of the 19th century, was loved by Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, poet and director Samuel Beckett  above all others. Writing to his cousin John Beckett on May 11, 1975 about the experience  of listening to records of Schubert’s song-cycle  Winterreise, Beckett described himself as “shivering…

LYRICAL LYRIS COMES TO THE MUSIC GUILD How many times have I seen The Lyris Quartet perform? I’ve actually lost count. But each time, whether in an intimate space or a grand hall, whether mastering old masters or modern music, this Los Angeles-based string quartet Â always wins my heart. The Lyris Quartet also travels frequently, so…

THERE’S A REASON WE RETURN TO BRAHMS AND RAVEL Under guest conductor James Gaffigan’s assured leadership, the Los Angeles Philharmonic brought a fuller and more vibrant sound to two very familiar works: Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2, which was a dazzling experience, and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 with Hélène Grimaud soloing. And…

THE MUSIC AND THE WORDS BEHIND THE MUSIC With astounding chromatic structure and continually shifting tonalities and rhythms, Debussy’s music has always mystified and transported me. Certainly many are familiar with “Clair de Lune” a piece from the piano composition Suite bergamasque; La Mer, a unique mix of tone poem and symphony; and Prélude í …

REAWAKENING A FAMILIAR CONCERTO It’s astounding to have heard countless performances of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto–both live and in recordings–and still be amazed that a newer interpretation can be so exciting, inventive, and breathtaking. Georgian violinist Lisa Batiashvili recently took me aback  with her release on  Deutsche Grammophon with the Staatskapelle Berlin (Berlin State Opera Orchestra)  led by Daniel…

TWO STORMS HIT L.A. THIS WEEKEND You think the winter storms slamming So Cal are something? Well, singer, songwriter, raconteur, author, actor, playwright, and powerhouse performer Storm Large is joining Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for a rare performance of The Seven Deadly Sins–and they’re coming to the L.A. area for two shows this weekend only,…

TAKING NOTES TO THE NEXT LEVEL Los Angeles native Stew, born Mark Stewart, is one of today’s most fascinating songwriters. He has released both solo albums and with his band, The Negro Problem. He became well known to the theater world in 2008, when he made the transition from the pop-rock scene to Broadway. The…

BEYOND COMPARE In the past five years, I have encountered only a handful of fresh-to-the-scene classical soloists who completely enraptured’”those who combine the old-school magnetic quality of superlative technique with energetic experimentation, soul, and discovery. Among the electrifying performers that have made me literally lean forward in my seat are cellist Alisa Weilerstein and pianists…

YOUR TRANSCENDENCE AWAITS The grand opening concert of Le Salon de Musique’s 2015/2016 arrives on Sunday, October 4, 2015, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Every time I visit, Le Salon proves itself to be the greatest chamber music outfit I have ever discovered. You get world-class players in an intimate setting offering masterful works (often…