These superbly produced -- and sung, played, and conducted -- holiday music albums are perfect stocking stuffers. The post Classical CD Reviews: Two Holiday Albums That Strike Like Thunderbo…
Michael Tilson Thomas delivers a towering Ives Fourth; pianist Conrad Tao's American Rage is hard-edged and defiant, but also poignant and stirring; Gianandrea Noseda's Shostakovich Fourth i…
What makes Marriage Story unbalanced and faintly dishonest is that we end up rooting for the clueless male egomaniac. The post Film Review: "Marriage Story" " A Divorce From Hell appeared fi…
A script with this many characters buzzing about demands a strong cast -- fortunately, Hub Theatre's terrific ensemble is more than up to the task. The post Theater Review: "The Last Days of…
Because Eliza Griswold's poems often take place in war zones, she's always provocative -- even when she is tendentious. The post Poetry Review: "If Men, Then" " Verse on Present Day Firing L…
Arts Fuse critics select the best in film, dance, visual art, theater, music, and author events for the coming weeks. The post Coming Attractions: November 17 through December 2 " What Will …
A noteworthy recording of Ernst von Dohnányi's Symphony no. 1; as usual, Harry Christophers and the Handel & Haydn Society Play Haydn with their customary elegance and character; a ce…
Violinist Liza Ferschtman and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra's account of Beethoven's Violin Concerto lacked nothing for momentum and spirit. The post Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic …
Judy McKie draws on a personal mythology in which animal and plant forms become abstracted yet recognizable, anthropomorphic while remaining strangely primeval. The post Visual Arts Review: …
Terrific, fiery playing from George Li, one of the most compelling young pianists on the scene; Mariss Jansons' recording of Shostakovich's Tenth trudges from start to finish; irrefutable pr…
Tool is going to remain relevant as long as the band can still effectively unleash its nightmare-ish delights for fervid fans. The post Concert Review: Tool " Defying Convention appeared fir…
These are two practiced masters at free improvisation. I am confident that many listeners will find them as intriguing and accomplished as I do. The post Jazz Album Review: Karl Berger and J…
Two recent biographies take very different approaches as they revel in the wild lives and examine the distinctive songs of two of rock music's most enigmatic figures: Lou Reed and Warren Zev…
Simon Rattle's Bruckner is, on the whole, lean and lively; if you're looking for a new Mahler Four, Vladimir Jurowski's is the one to check out; Thierry Fischer leads performances of each sy…
When someone recommended to Steven Hassan he write a volume called The Cult of Trump, "it just seemed like the most important book I could write, frankly." The post Book Review: "The Cult of…
The sound on these discs couldn't be more clear or precise; the music is low-key, thoughtful, and resolutely melodious. The post Jazz Albums Review: The 'Season' of Newvelle Muri " Adventuro…
In the right hands, Shostakovich's Twelfth can come off as nothing less than an intriguing, lively symphonic essay. The post Concert Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra plays Jolas, Ravel, and…
"You can read Frederick Douglass forever and still just encounter new things, new ideas, new passages, new phrases. He's that kind of writer. It's like reading Emerson or even Shakespeare." …
When have the Robinsons ever done what was expected on them? And when have they ever really cared? The post Music Commentary: The Black Crowes " Redux? appeared first on The Arts Fuse.
Gounod was no mere purveyor of gentle sentiments. This 1881 opera, superbly performed, shows plenty of drama and grit. The post Opera Album Review: A Grand Opera from Late in Gounod's Career…
An exhilarating and entertaining evening with Puddles, a most personable and unique clown. The post Concert Review: Puddles Pity Party " It's His Party, and He Will Cry If He Wants To appear…
Part cautionary tale about the fate of the earth, part homage to Samuel Beckett, part theatrical metaphor for dementia, X is a harrowing exploration of the human psyche. The post Theater Re…
To hear a 13-piece ensemble of this caliber, doing justice to these great songs, was simply hard to beat. The post Concert Review: "The Last Waltz 40 Tour" " The Best Approximation Possible …
Come From Away is more than just a rousing and heart-warming 100 minutes of theatrical entertainment. It's a poignant reminder, and celebration, of what we're all capable of as people. The p…
Believe it or not, Buddy Holly is on tour with another deceased rock 'n' roll pioneer -- Roy Orbison. The post Music Preview: "Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly: The Rock 'n' Roll Dream Tour" "…