Jeffrey Johnson (Correspondent), 04/22/2013
The symphonic music of Bruckner is set apart. It progresses and develops in ways that are unlike other repertoire, and requires an orchestra to recalibrate the way it plays. It also requires a... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 04/15/2013
The romantic movement that dominated European culture in the 19th century produced countless musical masterpieces that continue to draw audiences to concert halls. Three diverse examples of... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 02/25/2013
One of the great joys of orchestral music is that it can be enjoyed in many different ways. One can listen for beautiful melodies or delightful combinations of instrumental sounds, or enjoy... more »
Jeffrey Johnson (Correspondent), 02/18/2013
There are two kinds of music that are not what they appear to be.
There is music that sounds like it would be hard to play, but is actually idiomatic and not as difficult as it might seem. Then... more »
Jeffrey Johnson (Correspondent), 11/05/2012
A well-designed program of classical orchestral music can develop over the course of an evening, and the Stamford Symphony continued its 2012-2013 season with a program that had the coherence of good... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 10/29/2012
People who are not familiar with classical music may wonder why those who are will listen repeatedly to the same piece of music. The simple reason is that a great piece of music in the classical... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 10/15/2012
How far can you travel from Spokane in one hour and 20 minutes? By car, you can reach Moses Lake; by plane, Portland. If you took a seat in the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox on Saturday night,... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 09/24/2012
Those who attended the opening concert of the Spokane Symphony’s season at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox had a close encounter with the power of music to thrill, stimulate and elevate; to... more »
William Dart (Correspondent), 06/22/2012
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra may have titled its Thursday concert "Virtuoso Violin" but, for some, the highlight may have been a 10-minute work by English composer Thomas Ades ...... more »
Donivan Johnson (Correspondent), 04/26/2012
“Unsinkable!” That’s what the designers and builders of the Titanic claimed. On an April night in 1912, Titanic struck an iceberg and sank into the cold waters of the North Atlantic.
To... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 04/16/2012
We all suffer; it is an inescapable fact of human life. Disappointment, toil and loss give shape to our lives, as do love, joy and achievement.
Only a few of us, however, can transmute such... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 03/26/2012
The Spokane Symphony chose the name “Russian Drama” for this weekend’s concerts at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.
Many, however, may have wondered what was Russian about the works of... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 03/11/2012
In keeping with the Casual Classics motif, the crowd that packed the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Friday night was casual in their dress but thoroughly serious and attentive in their... more »
Donivan Johnson (Correspondent), 02/13/2012
Spokane Symphony music director Eckart Preu, in his pre-concert talk, told the audience that this weekend’s concert would be “challenging and fun.” He was absolutely correct.
The symphony’s... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 11/22/2011
Ralph Kirshbaum, distinguished cellist and educator, came to Spokane to perform with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. It was a gift that few in the audience Saturday night, who had slipped and... more »
Donivan Johnson (Correspondent), 10/24/2011
Saturday evening’s performance by the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, under the masterful direction of Eckart Preu, was sublime in nearly all respects.
The string section and single... more »
Donivan Johnson (Correspondent), 09/25/2011
Friday evening’s performance by the Spokane Symphony really compelled the listener to, in the words of the orchestra’s marketing campaign, “Say WOW.”
While “Casual Classics” may be the title of... more »
Jim Kershner (Correspondent), 09/22/2011
Spokane Symphony: ‘Beethoven’s Facebook’
The Spokane Symphony’s Casual Classics series has always emphasized the word “casual,” but the symphony takes that concept to new heights on Friday with a... more »
Larry Lapidus (Correspondent), 09/19/2011
The well-dressed crowd that poured into the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox for Saturday’s opening concert of the Spokane Symphony’s 2011-12 season was rewarded by an evening of music-making of ... more »
Travis Rivers (Correspondent), 05/09/2011
Jan Sibelius and Gustav Mahler took a walk in 1907. The two famous composers of symphonies discussed what attracted them to the form. Sibelius favored its severity of style and formal logic. Mahler... more »
