Buffalo Philharmonic Perform Alum Lukas Foss

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performs to its usual high standards. JoAnn Faletta's direction is both insightful and illuminating.

Ralph Graves 12/1/22 Ralph Graves 12/1/22

Jan Willem de Vriend gives Mayer symphonies energetic readings

Jan Willem de Vriend leads the NDR Radiophilharmonie in some excellent performances. He keeps the energy level high, and the ensemble sound controlled. Mayer's tutti climaxes lean more towards Mendelssohn than Beethoven. And that's how de Vriend plays it.

Ralph Graves 10/19/22 Ralph Graves 10/19/22

Richard Stohr Orchestral Music Proves of Interest

The Sinfonia Varsovia directed by Ian Hobson has a fine sound. They play with real warmth, enhancing the Romantic nature of Stohr’s music.

Ralph Graves 10/6/22 Ralph Graves 10/6/22

Christian Lindberg adds insight to Pettersson Symphony 15

Christian Lindberg and the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra have done Allen Pettersson a real service. Their traversal of his symphonies has helped give his music a wider audience.

Ralph Graves 10/5/22 Ralph Graves 10/5/22

The Optimism of Hans Winterberg

The Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin conducted by Johannes Kalitzke delivers some impressive performances. They sound as if they’ve been playing this music for years.

Ralph Graves 9/21/22 Ralph Graves 9/21/22

James Lee III -- Fantastic Voyages

This gifted African-American composer has a rare talent for melody and orchestration. And he has a musical imagination that's well-served by those talents.

Ralph Graves 9/13/22 Ralph Graves 9/13/22

Naxos launches Claudio Santoro Symphonic Series

Classical music can be a universal language. And one that can be adapted to the aesthetics of virtually any culture. Santoro demonstrates that with these two works. And I'm sure they're not isolated examples, either. This is a series I'm eager to follow.

Ralph Graves 4/28/22 Ralph Graves 4/28/22

Henze: Nachtstücke und Arien worth exploring

Henze's music isn't easy to perform -- or to listen to. These artists provide a compelling reason to make the effort, though. And for the intrepid listener, the rewards are great.

Ralph Graves 3/17/22 Ralph Graves 3/17/22

Robert Trevino upgrades the repertoire with Americascapes

If I had my way, every orchestral conductor in the United States would get a copy of this release. There is so much more to American music than Appalachian Spring.

We are grateful for the generosity of the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation and UVA Arts Council, supporting WTJU and CharlottesvilleClassical.org.