Farewell to Classical Candor

Early in 2023 I was asked by Karl Nehring to be a contributor to his classical music review blog, Classical Candor. Having gratefully accepted, I went on to author 15 recording reviews there in the space of about 16 months. I had intended to stay on longer, but I got very busy with my careers as a music history professor and orchestra manager. Unfortunately it was no longer possible to keep providing reviews for three outlets: Classical Candor, my site here, AND the occasional scholarly journal. I had to downsize, and I've made the decision to restrict my reviewing to The Ross Review for the foreseeable future. Academic research remains my top priority; criticism is just something I do for fun on the side. I only have so much time...

But I am a little sad to be leaving Classical Candor. It afforded me a great deal of reviewing practice, and I received wonderful support from Mr. Nehring and his staff. Working there taught me just how much I love engaging in criticism as a constructive outlet, and the many things about classical music I still have to learn. So as I sign off, I would like to thank Karl and the other gentlemen who made room for me on their site: Bill Heck, John Puccio, and Bryan Geyer. Whatever success comes of my reviewing, I owe a great deal to these individuals. I also encourage my readers to visit Classical Candor and browse their terrific content. The place is a treasure trove of insight. 

If you are interested in accessing my work there, here it is: 

1. Arnold: Commonwealth Christmas Overture Op. 64; Concerto No. 1 for Clarinet and Strings Op. 20; Divertimento No. 2 for Orchestra Op. 24/Op. 75; Larch Trees, Tone Poem for Orchestra Op. 3; Philharmonic Concerto for Orchestra Op. 120; The Padstow Lifeboat Op. 94A (March for Brass Band Arranged 2001 for Orchestra by Philip Lane). Michael Collins, clarinet; BBC Philharmonic; Yuri Torchinsky and Zoë Beyers, leaders; Rumon Gamba, conductor. Chandos CHAN 20152. 15 April 2023. 

2. Weinberg: String Quartet No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 20; String Quartet No. 16 in A-Flat Minor, Op. 130. Arcadia Quartet. Chandos CHAN 20180. 3 May 2023. 

3. Nielsen: The Symphonies. Danish National Symphony Orchestra; Fabio Luisi, conductor. Deutsche Grammophon 486 3471 (3 CDs). 31 May 2023. 

4. Rautavaara: Piano Concerto No. 3 ‘Gift of Dreams’; Martinů: Piano Concerto No. 3. Olli Mustonen, piano; Lahti Symphony Orchestra; Dalia Stasevska, conductor. BIS-2532. 13 August 2023. 

5. Sibelius: Karelia Overture, Op. 10; Klami: Nummisuutarit; Melartin: Overture to ‘Prinsessa Ruusunen’, Op. 22; Madetoja: Comedy Overture, Op. 53; Järnefelt: Ouverture lyrique; Mielck: Dramatische Ouvertüre, Op. 6; Palmgren: Overture from ‘Tuhkimo-Sarja’, Op. 21; Kajanus: Overtura sinfonica; Kaski: Prélude, Op. 7 No. 1; Järnefelt: Praeludium. Oulu Sinfonia; Rumon Gamba, conductor. Chandos CHSA 5336. 8 October 2023. 

6. Rachmaninoff: The Piano Concertos and Paganini Rhapsody. Yuja Wang, piano; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Gustavo Dudamel, conductor. Deutsche Grammophon 486 4759 (2 CDs). 25 October 2023. 

7. Robert Müller-Hartmann: String Quartet No. 2; Three Intermezzi and Scherzo; Two Pieces for Cello and Piano; Violin Sonata. ARC Ensemble. Chandos CHAN 20294. 20 December 2023. 

8. Helvi Leiviska: Sinfonia brevis, Op. 30; Orchestral Suite No. 2, Op. 11; Symphony No. 2, Op. 27. Dalia Stasevska, conductor; Lahti Symphony Orchestra (Sinfonia Lahti). BIS-2701. 7 February 2024. 

9. Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op. 11; Rakastava, Op. 14; Lemminkäinen, Op. 22. Susanna Mälkki, conductor; Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. BIS-2638. 28 February 2024. 

10. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Respighi: Toccata for Piano and Orchestra; Casella: Partita for Piano and Orchestra. Joshua Pierce, piano; Anton Nanüt, conductor; RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. MSR 1839. 3 April 2024. 

11. Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20; Spring Symphony, Op. 44; The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34. Elizabeth Watts, soprano; Alice Coote, mezzo-soprano; Allan Clayton, tenor; Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Tiffin Children’s Chorus; The Tiffin Girls’ School Choir; London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Simon Rattle, conductor. LSO Live LSO0830. 5 May 2024. 

12. Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat; Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat. Sir Mark Elder, conductor; Hallé. Hallé CD HLD 7564. 19 May 2024. 

13. Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 43; Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat, Op. 82. Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor; Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal. ATMA Classique ACD 22453. 23 June 2024. 

14. Mendelssohn: Complete Symphonies; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61 (excerpts). Paavo Järvi, conductor; Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich. Alpha Classics 1004. 4 discs. 17 July 2024. 

15. Weinberg: String Quartet No. 6 in E Minor, Op. 35; String Quartet No. 13, Op. 118; String Quartet No. 15, Op. 124. Arcadia Quartet. Chandos CHAN 20281. 11 August 2024.