1. Los Angeles Philharmonic Lutoslawski: The Symphonies (Sony Masterworks) This year was the centennial of the birth of the great Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski. Conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, this vivid set reveals Lutoslawski as one of the greatest symphony writers…

Network for New Music has been exploring the relationship between words, music and contemporary composers for several seasons now. The first concert of their Playing With Song series includes the music of five composers; Daniel Asia, Philip Maneval, Shulamit Ran,…

When Jeffrey Khaner gets a chance to solo in his role as the principal flutist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, you don’t hear an instrument so much as an eloquent voice. The technique disappears and there is only music. So an…

Cheapskate. Yes, over there in the ugly Hawaiian shirt you bought for a dollar at a sidewalk sale, I’m talking to you. You think classical music concerts are too expensive? Wrongo! For starters, you can see a show at either…

Flickr/Julian Mason Settlement Music School is not just for kids anymore. The nation’s largest community arts school system, now well into its second century, has long been renowned for children’s music lessons (both of the Burwasser kids are alums), especially…

The intricate psychology of top-flight string quartets has entered the common culture lately, and it would be hard to come up with a better example than the exquisitely virtuosic Emerson. Connoisseurs will be listening to this storied American ensemble to…

These huge arts festivals can be overwhelming — how to figure out what’s worth seeing? CP’s sending someone to nearly every event PIFA’s putting on over the next month to help you decide, so check back with Critical Mass all…

The 1980s were an exciting time for opera in Philadelphia. Luciano Pavarotti was here, singing at the Academy of Music and hosting his vocal competition. The great soprano Jessye Norman made her American opera debut in a stunning double bill…

Opera, peopled with sprawling egos and intense physicality, is as close to professional sports as classical music gets. It’s fitting, then, that this city’s top vocal training ground, the Academy of Vocal Arts, starts every season with the Giargiari Bel…