Classical music

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new 3-CD box set of music by the Soprano Maria Callas, "Maria Callas at Juilliard--The Masterclasses" (EMI)

Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie. She's one of the world's few classical percussion soloists. And she plays with orchestras worldwide. But instead of hearing the music, she feels it. Glennie is deaf, and has been since the age of 12. She's made several solo albums, and several years ago wrote her autobiography, Good Vibrations (Hutchison Publishers, London). Glennie performs at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia Dec 15 and 16. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Internationally-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. He celebrates his 50th birthday this year. He has several new releases, and a PBS special: "The Beethoven Triple Concert" two live concert recordings with pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, and cellist Yo Yo Ma. And "In the Fiddler's House," featuring Perlman playing Klezmer music with four Klezmer bands. There's also a PBS Great Performance special on Klezmer music featuring Perlman. (It aired nationally November 27 at 10PM. Check local listings). Both CD's are on the EMI Classics label.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews recordings by British singers soprano Margaret Tate (stage name Maggie Teyte), and tenor Heddle Nash. (on the British label, Pearl.)

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a reissue by the late mezzo-soprano Cathy Berberian: Luciano Berio's "Recital I for Cathy and Folk Songs." (RCA)

Music director and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. This month he took over the San Francisco Symphony. He's been conducting for 25 years. At the age of 24 years old he was appointed assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony, and began filling in regularly as conductor when the musical director's health began to fail. THOMAS was mentored by Leonard Bernstein. However, Thomas's roots are in the theater: His grandparents were Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky, who founded the Yiddish theater in New York. There's a new book about him, Michael Tilson Thomas: Viva Voce.

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the recent performance of American pianist Leon Fleisher. Thirty years ago he suffered a disabling repetitive stress syndrome injury. Since then, he's played almost exclusively with the Left Hand. This recent performance featured Fleisher attempt a Mozart concerto with both hands. 12

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "The Romantic Generation" (Music masters) by pianist Charles Rosen.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording by the young Danish baritone singer Bo Skovhus

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "George Gershwin Memorial Concert," a CD of a radio performance broadcast shortly after the composer's death.