Classical

The minimalist composer's new piece, Different Trains, contrasts Reich's childhood experiences crossing the country by rail to visit his divorced parents with the memories of Holocaust survivors' journey to concentration camps. The music incorporates recordings of several interviews into the orchestration.

Not much of Cornysh's work survives, but the vocal ensemble the Tallis Scholars has unearthed enough to record a new album of the composer's sacred and secular music. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says it's as excellent as all of the ensemble's previous recordings.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of the Estonian composer's version of the Passion of St. John. He says that its simplicity reveals surprises, and that, even at 70 minutes, the piece never grows tiresome.

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a newly re-issued recording of the late pianist GLENN GOULD playing Haydn's last six piano sonatas. Gould made these recordings in 1980, two years before his death.

Lloyd Schwartz says that the classical pianist, like Glenn Gould, died too young. But unlike Gould, Lipatti's interpretations of canonical works were more traditional, evoking the way the pieces may have originally been performed. Schwartz reviews two recent re-releases of the musician's recordings.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of Harold Shapero's symphony, conducted by Andre Previn and performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews new reissues of performances conducted by the British maestro and London Philharmonic founder.

Goode was recently commissioned to record all of Beethoven's piano sonatas. He joins Fresh Air to discuss the challenges of that endeavor, the process of memorizing the repertory, and his early musical training.

Classical music critic says that no music is more fun than a good operetta. A new collection of lesser known works by composer Jacques Offenbach is more fun than almost any other album this year.

Rhys Chatham is a classically-trained, minimalist composer who incorporates rock influences into his music. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his choice of instrumentation, and the evolution of his work over the years.

The classical musician says, now that she's established herself as an accomplished performer, she no longer feels the need to prove herself. She got her start early; her mother made sure she practiced. At nineteen, after a nine-month hiatus from the violin, she finally decided she wanted to devote her life to the instrument.

Leroy Anderson was classical composer who often used popular forms in his orchestral music. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says a new collection of Anderson's Americana-infused work reveals his charm and wit.

The group Marimolin comprises marimba player Nancy Zeltsman and violinist Sharan Leventhal. Their self-titled album features new compositions written especially for them. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says it's delightful, and hopes the duo finds success.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says he actively seeks out performances and recordings of the orchestra, which has been revitalized by conductor Christoph von Dohnányi. Schwartz reviews two new CDs Dohnányi helmed, featuring symphonies by Mendelssohn and Schumann.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz praises two volumes of the composer's chamber music, performed expertly and honestly by the Arditti Quartet.

Music scholar Barry Cooper discovered Ludwig van Beethoven's outlines for a final symphony, and decided to complete the work himself. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has a review of the premiere recording, on the MCA label.

Tuckwell doesn't see his shift from French horn performance to orchestra conducting as a career change -- it's all music to him. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his experiences as a soloist and working with other conductors.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new album featuring a 1932 recording of the composer's Bolero, performed by the Orchestre des concerts Lamoureux, and helmed by Ravel himself

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz praises a new release of excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Christmas-themed suite, conducted by Yevgeney Mravinsky and performed by the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra. The CD also features what Schwartz says is one of the most powerful performances of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet ballet.

The experimental composer, who just celebrated his 80th birthday, has largely abandoned conventional technique in his recent work. But after listening back to some of Carter's earlier songs, classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says he can hear traces of melody in his more difficult pieces.