A column by Constantine Samartzis
The Echo After Silence
Personal essays on music, film and literature, and on what lingers in the quiet that follows.
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Bruckner Symphony 7, Bates Resurrexit, Manfred Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Music Review: Bruckner Symphony 7, Bates Resurrexit / Manfred Honeck / Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra / Reference RecordingsManfred Honeck's interpretation of Bruckner's Symphony No. 7...
Mozart, Symphonies, Tarmo Peltokoski
Music Review: Mozart, Symphonies (Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 "Haffner", Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550, Symphony No. 36...
Sibelius & Prokofiev, Violin Concertos, Janine Jansen, Klaus Mäkelä, Oslo Philharmonic
Music Review Sibelius Sibelius & Prokofiev, Violin Concertos, Janine Jansen, Klaus Mäkelä / Oslo Philharmonic / DeccaThis release has garnered significant attention for...
Chopin Etudes – Yunchan Lim
While this set showcases the technical skills of a clearly talented pianist, the recording quality significantly detracts from the overall experience and there the competition is too fierce with some stellar performances out there.
The American Project review, Abrams, Tilson Thomas, Yuja Wang, Louisville Orchestra
Music review Teddy Abrams, Michael Tilson Thomas, The American Project, Yuja Wang (piano), Teddy Abrams (conductor), Louisville Orchestra, Deutsche GrammophonSo, here's how it unfolded: Teddy Abrams,...
Rachmaninoff, The Piano Concertos & Paganini Rhapsody, Wang, Dudamel
On a High NoteTechnical Brilliance: Yuja Wang's exceptional skill at the piano is evident, particularly in the first concerto and the last movement of the third.First Concerto Excellence: Both the orchestra and Wang deliver a top-tier rendition in the first concerto, with no apparent flaws.Fourth Concerto Surprise: Often considered the underdog, the Fourth Concerto stands out in this set, especially in terms of orchestral and soloist interplay.