classical Archive
21 Aug 2015
Album Review: Pete Townshend’s Classic Quadrophenia
On one hand, the existence of this album makes perfect sense. Among many Who fans (myself most assuredly included), Quadrophenia ranks among the most celebrated work from Pete Townshend and/or […]
07 Apr 2015
Festival Review: Big Ears Festival 2015, Part 2
Continued from Part One… Next, it was drone time. The minimalist work of the duo A Winged Victory for the Sullen (joined by three additional musicians) was delivered in the […]
06 Apr 2015
Festival Review: Big Ears Festival 2015, Part 1
Typically, I don’t make a point of attending “kickoff events” at the start of music festivals. My thinking is that they’re generally an opportunity to spotlight the event sponsors and […]
03 Feb 2015
Album Review: Jan Garbarek and The Hilliard Ensemble — Officium
This double-album – originally released in 1994 – is a transcendent, compelling work that combines jazz with choral/classical music. Featuring vocals sung in Latin by The Hilliard Ensemble (countertenor David […]
24 Dec 2014
Best of 2014: Concerts
One of the many pleasures associated with living in the small mountain city of Asheville NC is access to great live music. I grew up in the 70s and 80s […]
03 Jun 2014
Album Review: Clearlight — Impressionist Symphony
With precious few exceptions, attempting a classical-rock hybrid is at worst a fool’s errand, at best a thankless task. All too often, this most ambitious of goals – bringing together […]
02 Apr 2014
Festival Review: Big Ears 2014, Day 2 (Part 2)
After getting (respectively) a headache and a power nap, my sweetheart and I headed back to the Tennessee Theatre, remarking all the while how well-thought-out Big Ears 2014 is as […]
05 Nov 2012
Album Review: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays the Music of Rush
Normally, I don’t write negative reviews. Yes, I will point out those qualities that make a work less than it could be, but if a release is mostly or wholly […]
30 Jan 2008
Peter Millis: Mountain Music Meets the Bard
Peter Millis believes that there’s a strong musical connection between pre-Elizabethan England and WNC. His work with the Montford Park Players serves to illustrate that relationship. Actor/musician Peter Millis got […]