early music Reviews
April 22, 2008
Flawless Singing, Lacking Flavor
Alongside the American Bach Soloists, countertenor Ian Howell displays his artistry with Scarlatti, Bach, and Handel.
April 15, 2008
Funny, Even in Translation
Magnificat performs a concert version of Stradella's delightful comic opera.
April 8, 2008
Baroque’s Lively Light
Zadok and Dettingen Te Deum, with Nicholas McGegan, lead Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s inspired performance.
April 1, 2008
Unified Musical Pleasures
Harmonie Universelle explores the Italian influence on 17th-century Germany.
March 18, 2008
She Came to Conquer
Isabel Bayrakdarian's Cleopatra commands the stage in a richly rewarding Philharmonia Baroque concert.
March 11, 2008
Smaller, But No Less Passionate
San Francisco Bach Choir brings the St. John Passion out of the shadows.
February 26, 2008
Big Thoughts
AVE and the Whole Noyse join forces for an ambitious program of music by Isaac and Josquin.
February 19, 2008
Chansons of Courtly Love
Fortune's Wheel brings to life the refined French love songs of the 15th century.
Young Man in a Hurry
The up-and-coming harpsichordist Benjamin Alard displays his technical chops on his first U.S. tour, but has work to do on interpretation.
February 12, 2008
January 22, 2008
January 15, 2008
Illuminating the Chanson
The duo Asteria performs Burgundian songs from the 15th century with uncanny intimacy.
December 18, 2007
December 11, 2007
Intimate Christmas Splendor
In an imaginative program of Scarlatti and Corelli, Magnificat captures the true quiet of the season.
A Baroque Near-Miss
A Christmas program shines the spotlight on the first-rate Chorale, amid mostly uninspiring orchestral repertoire.
December 4, 2007
November 20, 2007
The Lure of the Lyre
La Monica shines the light on the breadth of Italian Baroque repertoire, as each player enjoys a moment in the sun.
November 6, 2007
October 30, 2007
Revivifying Liturgical Gems
Magnificat re-creates the 1607 rededication of Hamburg's St. Gertrude’s Chapel, liturgy and all.
October 16, 2007
Bach Back in Another Guise
The many faces of Bach were on display in the deft hands of Angela Hewitt and Daniel Müller-Schott.
October 2, 2007
May 15, 2007
A Complex Sophistication
There's a lot to savor as the American Bach Soloists complete the fourth year of its Bach cycle.
May 8, 2007
Of Angels and Devils
Jordi Savall forays into the French Baroque with Pierre Hantaï and Xavier Diaz-Latorre, with mixed results.
Mixed Delights of Forest and Sea
Galileo Project and UC Santa Cruz Arts Department unite for a fête of dances: The Delights of Posilipo at MusicSources.
April 24, 2007
Inspiring Journey Through the B-Minor Mass
Netherlands Bach society navigates Bach's most compelling vocal music.
Trecento Treasures
Liber Unusualis illuminates music and text in daunting medieval music repertory.
April 17, 2007
Handelian Feast
Philharmonia Baroque's opening-night performance of Belshazzar is a knockout, fueled by world-class soloists and the Philharmonia Chorale.
A Great Composer Finds Her Advocates
Magnificat unearths the ancient treasures of Chiara Cozzolani.
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Review Archives by Category
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- chamber music (45)
- chamber orchestra (12)
- choral music (39)
- contemporary music (38)
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- early music (30)
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For reviews older than March 27, 2007, please refer to the Archives.