In celebration of what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 96th birthday, pianist Lara Downes examines how musicians have followed in his footsteps, and faced the cost of taking a stand.

CRB Classical Blog

11.01.2025

'Crossing The Deep' Connects Handel's Choral Works with Spirituals by Enslaved Africans | CRB

The concert series is a response to the uncovering of information connecting Handel to the slave trade.

CRB Classical Blog

10.01.2025

Boston Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Nathan Cole | CRB

In his first season as the BSO's Concertmaster, Nathan Cole talks with CRB's Brian McCreath about his background, the distinctive sound worlds different orchestras produce, and the challenges and rewards of his position.

CRB Classical Blog

03.01.2025

In Final Season as Boston Baroque's Conductor, Martin Pearlman Still Finds Awe in Handel | CRB

Pearlman reflects on his final season leading Boston Baroque.

CRB Classical Blog

27.12.2024

Instant Replay: 068 | CRB

The end (of the year) may be nigh, but we've got just the right tunes for dancing, reflection and "scream-singing" til' the ball drops.

CRB Classical Blog

21.12.2024

Our Top Classical Albums of 2024 | CRB

It's been a terrific year for classical music. From passionate piano solos to lush orchestral works and beyond, here are our favorite classical recordings released in 2024!

CRB Classical Blog

19.12.2024

A Classical Hallmark Christmas | CRB

What does the holiday season mean to you? For me, it means Hallmark movies! Here are five classically-inclined Hallmark Christmas movies that are worth checking out.

CRB Classical Blog

18.12.2024

Beyond Nutcracker and Messiah, Ten Classical Christmas Gems | CRB

For some, it’s not Christmas until they hear “that one piece” of music. We’ve gathered ten more to add to your list!

CRB Classical Blog

03.12.2024

This Just In: “Composition Sped Up” with Nightingale Vocal Ensemble | CRB

Boston-based choir Nightingale Vocal Ensemble shakes up the classical choral format with their entirely improvised debut album “Composition Sped Up.”

CRB Classical Blog

26.11.2024

The Books Behind the Music | CRB

Much ink has been spilled in writing books about classical music. Here are some staff favorites.

CRB Classical Blog

23.11.2024

Instant Replay: 067 | CRB

Fall is for sad love songs, jazz spirituals, sleeping in, and pie. Lots of pie. Get your fill in this month's Instant Replay.

CRB Classical Blog

22.11.2024

St. Cecilia, Patron Saint of Music | CRB

For centuries, composers have paid tribute to St. Cecilia, remembered on November 22nd, leading to a fascinating tapestry of musical expression.

CRB Classical Blog

28.10.2024

Classical in Cartoons: Disney's "The Skeleton Dance" | CRB

Walt Disney’s spookiest “Silly Symphony” launched a new approach to classical music in cartoons, but its roots go as far back as the medieval Black Plague.

CRB Classical Blog

24.10.2024

Finding America with Augustin Hadelich, on "American Road Trip" | CRB

20 years after first moving to the United States, violinist Augustin Hadelich's newest recording is a celebration of the kaleidoscopic tapestry of American classical music.

CRB Classical Blog

24.10.2024

This Just In: Takashi Yoshimatsu’s “Memo Flora" | CRB

Japanese composer, columnist and iconoclast Takashi Yoshimatsu evokes babbling brooks, chirping birds, and delicate beauty in this radically pastoral album featuring Sachio Fujioka and the Manchester Camerata.

CRB Classical Blog

19.10.2024

Top Hits of the '24s! | CRB

The '24s have been very good years for classical pieces that became top hits of the day!

CRB Classical Blog

18.10.2024

Instant Replay: 066 | CRB

A musical melange as varied as the leaves I still need to rake off the lawn, just for you in this month's Instant Replay.

CRB Classical Blog

09.10.2024

Art in Times of Tragedy with Skylark Vocal Ensemble | CRB

Matthew Guard, Artistic Director of the Boston-based vocal ensemble, talks about their new album, "Clear Voices in the Dark," the monumental challenge of recording Poulenc's "Figure Humaine," and music as a human reaction to violence.

CRB Classical Blog

01.10.2024

The Sounds and Sweet Airs of Shakespeare in Classical Music | CRB

One of the great things about the Bard is how adaptable his plays are. There are endless ways to interpret them — on stage and on screen, sure, but also in music!

CRB Classical Blog

24.09.2024

Carlos Simon on his Music, his Life, and the BSO | CRB

The Boston Symphony's new composer chair talks about his roots in the churches of his family, his hopes and plans with the BSO, and the deep meanings of his music on a new recording called "Four Symphonic Works."

CRB Classical Blog

21.09.2024

Instant Replay: 065 | CRB

The "Fab Four" via South Korea, the North Seas meet the Vineyard, and a Pterodactyl scream . . . yes, we're ready for what fall may bring.

CRB Classical Blog

28.08.2024

This Just In: Gabriel Kahane’s “emergency shelter intake form” | CRB

Composer, pianist, singer-songwriter, and creative chair of the Oregon Symphony Gabriel Kahane confronts uncomfortable truths about the housing crisis in America with his witty, eclectic, dynamic, and genre-defying oratorio “emergency shelter intake form,” performed by the Oregon Symphony.

CRB Classical Blog

23.08.2024

Instant Replay: 064 | CRB

Whether it's been a "wistful" summer, or a "high-energy" one, or even a "big ideas" kind of summer, we've got just the right soundtrack for you.

CRB Classical Blog

23.07.2024

Classical Music Goes to the Olympics! | CRB

What would the Olympics be without the best of the best athletes... and classical composers?

CRB Classical Blog

20.07.2024

Caroline Shaw Finds Joy in Mortality in “Rectangles and Circumstance" | CRB

The Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy-winning composer, singer, and musician speaks with James Bennett II about her new recording with Sō Percussion, the art of songwriting, collaboration, copyright law, and the satirical children's book "Go the F— to Sleep."

CRB Classical Blog

20.07.2024

Instant Replay: 063 | CRB

It's a summer of discovering — and rediscovering — magical musical moments in the July Instant Replay.

CRB Classical Blog

15.07.2024

This Just In: Sufjan Stevens’s “Reflections” | CRB

American singer-songwriter extraordinaire and indie icon Sufjan Stevens cuts his classical teeth with “Reflections,” a stunning ballet for two pianos, brought to the studio by pianists Timo Andres and Conor Hanick.

CRB Classical Blog

09.07.2024

All Eyes on Paris... in Classical Music! | CRB

All eyes will be on the “City of Lights” this month as the world's attention focuses on the Paris Olympics, but classical composers have had Paris in their sights all along!

CRB Classical Blog

29.06.2024

Instant Replay: 062 | CRB

Who needs the ice cream man when we have all these summer musical treats? Enjoy this month's Instant Replay before it melts!

CRB Classical Blog

26.06.2024

The BSO's Chad Smith on Origins, Mission, and the Future | CRB

The Boston Symphony Orchestra's President and CEO talks about his earliest discoveries in music, what drew him to Boston as a student, and why he returned to lead the BSO.

CRB Classical Blog

24.06.2024

This Just In: "Autodreamographical Tales" | CRB

Part dream diary, part chamber piece, and 100% psychedelic fever dream, minimalist maverick Terry Riley's "Autodreamographical Tales" bursts into life with the flexible and frenetic Bang On A Can All-Stars.

CRB Classical Blog

19.06.2024

Musical Butterflies | CRB

One of nature's most entrancing creations is also the inspiration behind beautiful works of music.

CRB Classical Blog

08.06.2024

Dream Vacations | CRB

Have you ever picked up a travel magazine or seen a travel show and put yet another place on your “dream vacations” list? Sometimes, music can take you there!

CRB Classical Blog

07.06.2024

On Tour with the Ulysses Quartet and Boston Public Schools | CRB

Eight days. Four different schools. Over 1,800 students. And one extraordinary string quartet.

CRB Classical Blog

06.06.2024

What "Bridgerton" Gets Wrong — And Right — About Classical Music | CRB

The pop-classical soundtrack to Netflix's hit series "Bridgerton" isn't historically accurate, but that's the whole point.

CRB Classical Blog

01.06.2024

Instant Replay: 061 | CRB

Vibrant colors, bad decisions, and a touch of swing usher in the unofficial start of summer, in May's Instant Replay!

CRB Classical Blog

31.05.2024

Instant replay: 060 | CRB

Vibrant colors, bad decisions, and a touch of swing usher in the unofficial start of summer, in May's Instant Replay!

CRB Classical Blog

30.05.2024

This Just In: Bigger and Closer (not smaller & further away) | CRB

Nico Muhly’s arresting and textural ambient accompaniment to visual artist David Hockney’s immersive exhibit "Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)" finds new life on the Bedroom Community label.

CRB Classical Blog

21.05.2024

Boston Symphony Names New Concertmaster, Nathan Cole | CRB

Violinist Nathan Cole will become the Boston Symphony's 11th concertmaster at the start of the Tanglewood season in July 2024.

CRB Classical Blog

07.05.2024

The Celebrity Series of Boston 2024-2025 | CRB

Orchestras, ensembles, and soloists from around the world create a vibrant tapestry of performances in the coming season from one of Boston’s most prominent concert presenters.

home›CRB Classical Blog›Music

CRB Classical Blog - Music

Daring to Dream: A Reflection on America | CRB

'Crossing The Deep' Connects Handel's Choral Works with Spirituals by Enslaved Africans | CRB

Boston Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Nathan Cole | CRB

In Final Season as Boston Baroque's Conductor, Martin Pearlman Still Finds Awe in Handel | CRB

Instant Replay: 068 | CRB

Our Top Classical Albums of 2024 | CRB

A Classical Hallmark Christmas | CRB

Beyond Nutcracker and Messiah, Ten Classical Christmas Gems | CRB

This Just In: “Composition Sped Up” with Nightingale Vocal Ensemble | CRB

The Books Behind the Music | CRB

Instant Replay: 067 | CRB

St. Cecilia, Patron Saint of Music | CRB

Classical in Cartoons: Disney's "The Skeleton Dance" | CRB

Finding America with Augustin Hadelich, on "American Road Trip" | CRB

This Just In: Takashi Yoshimatsu’s “Memo Flora" | CRB

Top Hits of the '24s! | CRB

Instant Replay: 066 | CRB

Art in Times of Tragedy with Skylark Vocal Ensemble | CRB

The Sounds and Sweet Airs of Shakespeare in Classical Music | CRB

Carlos Simon on his Music, his Life, and the BSO | CRB

Instant Replay: 065 | CRB

This Just In: Gabriel Kahane’s “emergency shelter intake form” | CRB

Instant Replay: 064 | CRB

Classical Music Goes to the Olympics! | CRB

Caroline Shaw Finds Joy in Mortality in “Rectangles and Circumstance" | CRB

Instant Replay: 063 | CRB

This Just In: Sufjan Stevens’s “Reflections” | CRB

All Eyes on Paris... in Classical Music! | CRB

Instant Replay: 062 | CRB

The BSO's Chad Smith on Origins, Mission, and the Future | CRB

This Just In: "Autodreamographical Tales" | CRB

Musical Butterflies | CRB

Dream Vacations | CRB

On Tour with the Ulysses Quartet and Boston Public Schools | CRB

What "Bridgerton" Gets Wrong — And Right — About Classical Music | CRB

Instant Replay: 061 | CRB

Instant replay: 060 | CRB

This Just In: Bigger and Closer (not smaller & further away) | CRB

Boston Symphony Names New Concertmaster, Nathan Cole | CRB

The Celebrity Series of Boston 2024-2025 | CRB

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