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Jim Farber

Jim Farber wrote his first classical music review in 1982 for the Los Angeles Jewish Journal. Since then, he has been a feature writer and critic of classical music, opera, theater, and fine art for The Daily Variety, the Copley Newspapers and News Service, and the Los Angeles Newspaper Group (Media News).

Articles by this Author

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
August 10, 2018
The Force Takes Over the Hollywood Bowl
BY Jim Farber

Star Wars and the LA Phil make John Williams’s score soar.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
July 20, 2018
The Hollywood Bowl Lives Up to Its First Name
BY Jim Farber

Conductor Speranza Scappuci and soloist Ray Chen bring glitz and glamor to their outing with the LA Phil in the famed venue.

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Opera Review
July 17, 2018
Gustavo Dudamel Navigates LA Phil Through a Stormy Otello
BY Jim Farber

Hollywood Bowl resounds with Verdi's gut-wrenching opera.

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Chamber Music Review
June 19, 2018
Guitarist Mak Grgic Fills the Historic Van Dekker House With Music
BY Jim Farber

Chamber Music in Historic Sites sponsors intimate music in architecturally significant chambers.

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Modern Classical Review
June 19, 2018
Partch Does Partch at MicroFest
BY Jim Farber

A dedicated ensemble playing unique instruments presents rarely performed microtonal works by Harry Partch and Ben Johnston.

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Modern Classical Review
June 12, 2018
Modernism Revived at Ojai 2018
BY Jim Farber

Patricia Kopatchinskaja strives to undo comfortable concertgoing rituals with exciting, dramatic gestures.

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Choral Review
May 15, 2018
New-World Dreams Fall Flat for L.A. Master Chorale
BY Jim Farber

A poorly-coordinated performance of Terry Riley’s In C caps off the evening.

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Feature Article
Walking Through the <em>Bernstein at 100</em> Exhibit
May 11, 2018
Walking Through the Bernstein at 100 Exhibit
BY Jim Farber

The Grammy Museum and the Skirball Cultural Center collaborate on a celebration of the composer/conductor’s legacy.

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Opera Review
May 4, 2018
Vocal Fireworks Dominate Gheorghiu - Grigólo Recital
BY Jim Farber

Two singers matched up well, dramatically and vocally at the Broad Stage.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 30, 2018
Variety Is the Spice of Hear Now's Musical Life
BY Jim Farber

The vibrant L.A. festival showcases challenging new works by composers working on the edge.

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Modern Classical Review
April 23, 2018
Eighth Blackbird Lite
BY Jim Farber

A curious pairing of the hip ensemble with singer Will Oldham has curious results.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 19, 2018
More Surprises From Under the LA Phil's Green Umbrella
BY Jim Farber

Deprived of a Ted Hearne premiere, Gustavo Dudamel still led a fascinating concert, soon to be reprised in London.

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Opera Review
April 17, 2018
Pacific Opera Project's Don Giovanni Done Godfather Style, in a Warehouse
BY Jim Farber

It's a "gagland" production with a dedicated, appealing cast.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 17, 2018
LA Phil Careens From Tranquility to Turbulence
BY Jim Farber

The premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen's Pollux contrasts with Varèse's Amériques.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 17, 2018
Philip Glass Oratorio Impresses in Pacific Symphony Performance
BY Jim Farber

The Passion of Ramakrishna was the main event in a concert that featured a piece by Glass mentor Ravi Shankar.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 9, 2018
Mahler on the Big Screen With the LA Phil
BY Jim Farber

Teatrocinema's innovative visual design mostly worked to enhance the inherent cinematic qualities of Das Lied von der Erde.

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Feature Article
Don Giovanni, Dick Tracy, and Antipasto.
April 4, 2018
Don Giovanni, Dick Tracy, and Antipasto.
BY Jim Farber

Pacific Opera Project has a unique menu for success.

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Recital Review
April 2, 2018
Stirring Trip on the Underground Railroad With Kathleen Battle and Angela Bassett
BY Jim Farber

Two legit greats team up for a powerhouse recital.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
March 20, 2018
Kahane's Visit Sparks Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
BY Jim Farber

Pierre Jalbert's new violin concerto highlights the orchestra's first reunion with its emeritus conductor.

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Opera Review
March 20, 2018
Mysterious Invention of Morel Haunts Long Beach Opera
BY Jim Farber

A magical-realism novella becomes a worthy Stewart Copeland opera.

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