Classical Music entertainment in North America
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Taos Chamber Music Group
For classical and jazz, this group performs at venues throughout the region.
reviewed
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A
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Near-perfect acoustics match the ambitious programs of the world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), which performs from October to April. Conductor James Levine makes a point to challenge his audience, leading a masterful orchestra through Brahms and Beethoven, Ravel and Rachmaninoff. Though occasionally playing outdoors at the Hatch Shell, their usual home is the beauteous Symphony Hall, featuring an ornamental high-relief ceiling and attracting a crowd dressed in their finest. It was designed in 1861 with the help of a Harvard physicist who pledged to make the building acoustically perfect (he succeeded). In summer months, the BSO retreats to Tanglewood in Wester…
reviewed
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B
Merkin Concert Hall
This 450-seat hall, part of the Kaufman Center, which also runs a public arts school and public school for musically gifted kids, is one of the city’s more intimate venues for classical music. Following a light-and-airy $17 million renovation designed by local-favorite architect Robert AM Stern, this space (built in 1978) hosts a remarkable array of performances – mainly classical but with some avant-garde jazz and world music tossed in. Notable series include Tuesday matinees, which highlights up-and-coming classical solo artists; the New York Guitar Festival; and Family Matinees, which presents mini-musicals geared toward kids.
reviewed
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C
Centro Cultural Ollin Yoliztli
Regular year-round free concerts of chamber ensembles and string recitals are held at this Cultural Center’s Sala Herminio Novelo, with music students and professionals consistently delivering polished performances. Admission is free and, at the time of writing, the concerts took place weekly at 8pm on Thursday (although confirm, if possible, before setting out). This Cultural Center is one of the most active on the classical music scene, however several other similar centers, as well as museums, in the city present occasional classical music performances; check Tiempo Libre or Friday’s La Jornada for listings.
reviewed
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D
Sala Nezahualcóyotl
This impressive concert hall with the impossible-to-pronounce name is located at the heart of the University’s Cultural Center. The design emulates Amsterdam’s late-19th-century Concertgebouw theater, with the seats extending to the sides and rear of the orchestra platform, creating the ultimate surround-sound experience. This is further accentuated by the ‘canopy’ over the stage. The university has its own UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra, which regularly stages concerts here. The Nezahualcóyotl is also a respected venue for world-renowned musicians, along with the Palacio. The concert season runs from September to June.
reviewed
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E
Seattle Symphony
Under maestro Gerard Schwartz, the symphony earned its reputation as the heart of the Seattle classical music scene. At the time of research, Schwartz was in the midst of his final season with the symphony, to be replaced by French conductor Ludovic Morlot. Since Schwartz’s arrival in 1983 the symphony has presented several successful series and released a number of recordings to critical acclaim, in addition to building a spectacular concert hall and stellar reputation. Worth noting is the symphony’s Discover Music! series – concerts designed to introduce children to various aspects of classical music.
reviewed
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F
National Music Conservatory
The country’s most important music conservatory was founded at the beginning of the 20th century and still produces some of the country’s top classical musicians, like current golden boy José Antonio Espinal, recognized as one of the most talented young conductors, pianists and musicians in Mexico today. The Conservatory holds regular free concerts, but is not famed for its publicity or advance notice. Keep a close eye on the local press, stop by or telephone the information office.
reviewed
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G
New England Conservatory
Founded in 1867, the NEC is the country’s oldest music school. The conservatory hosts professional and student chamber and orchestral concerts in the acoustically superlative hall, which dates from 1904. Perhaps for better sight lines, the floor pitches slightly forward, and while perfectly safe, it gives some on the balcony an odd sensory experience. The Boston Philharmonic, Boston Modern Orchestra Project and From the Top (of National Public Radio fame) all make use of the hall.
reviewed
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H
Bargemusic
Chamber-music concerts on this 125-seat docked ferryboat are a unique and intimate affair. For almost 30 years it has been a beloved venue, with beautiful views of the East River and Manhattan and performances of classical favorites, five days a week throughout the year. A recent and typical week’s lineup included a piano concert of Haydn, Schumann, Brahms and Bellman; the Mendelssohn string quartet playing Bartók and Elgar; and a night with a stellar jazz trio.
reviewed
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I
Trinity-St Paul's Centre
The world-renowned Tafelmusik (www.tafelmusik.org; tickets $22-77) baroque orchestra and chamber choir performs most of the time at atmospheric Trinity-St Paul's United Church, as does the Toronto Consort (www.torontoconsort.org; tickets $14-48) for early medieval and renaissance music. Check schedules for family matinees, meet-the-musician nights and the annual sing-along to Handel's Messiah at Massey Hall.
reviewed
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J
Auditorio Blas Galindo
This good-size auditorium in the south of the city has a regular program of classical music concerts performed by the Carlos Chávez Symphony Orchestra, and visiting international youth orchestras; check listings in the local press. The auditorium is also one of the main venues for performances by musicians participating in the Foro Internacional de Musica Nueva (International Competition for New Music), an annual event since 1977.
reviewed
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K
Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
This internationally renowned orchestra plays to packed audiences in its Place des Arts home. Its Christmas performance of The Nutcracker is legendary. Rock-star conductor Kent Nagano, a Californian with a leonine mane and stellar credentials, is music director. Check for free concerts at the Basilique Notre-Dame, the Olympic Stadium and in municipal parks in the Montréal area.
reviewed
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L
Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal
This hip 58-member orchestra is made up of young professional musicians from all over Québec led by conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The orchestra’s mission is to democratize classical music, so besides the swish Place des Arts, you may see it playing Mahler or Hayden in churches or colleges in even the city’s poorest neighborhoods for reduced admission.
reviewed
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M
University of Toronto Faculty of Music
U of T's scholarly and professional music faculty presents a series of concerts – orchestral, chamber, wind ensembles, jazz and new music – at various venues around the university's St George campus. An afternoon of tea and opera at the MacMillan Theatre costs less than $30. Vocal classes and select concerts at Walter Hall are free.
reviewed
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N
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
LA's top chamber ensemble specializes in a wide repertory of music from the 17th century to the present. Performances take place at UCLA's Royce Hall , the Alex Theater in Glendale, west of Pasadena, and the Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School of Performing Arts.
reviewed
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O
I Musici de Montréal
Under the leadership of Moscow-born violinist-cellist Yuri Turovsky, this 15-member chamber ensemble has won many awards for its baroque and contemporary performances. Over the past 20 years I Musici, which has its home stage at the Place des Arts, has recorded almost 50 CDs and toured the world.
reviewed
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P
University of Miami School of Music
Held at the Gusman Concert Hall, as well as Clark Recital Hall, these free concerts highlighting university students are a bargain. Seek out the long-running international Festival Miami, which features symphonies, chamber music and jazz, and runs from late September to late October.
reviewed
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Q
L’Orchestre Symphonique de Québec
For more than a century, this internationally recognized symphony orchestra has performed for more than 100,000 people a year! Concerts are usually broadcast on the radio by public broadcaster Radio-Canada. Led by prolific Israeli maestro Yoav Talmi, the orchestra is also active in the community.
reviewed
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R
New World Symphony
The deservedly heralded NWS serves as a three- to four-year preparatory program for very talented musicians who’ve already graduated from prestigious music schools. There are an astonishing number of inspiring and original performances (many of which are free), held at the Lincoln Theatre.
reviewed
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S
Longy School of Music
George Longy was an oboist with the BSO before he decided to found the Longy School of Music in 1915. Now approaching its centennial, Longy is a well-respected training ground for classical musicians. Students and faculty show off the goods on an almost daily basis, often free of charge.
reviewed
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T
Opéra de Québec
Under the artistic direction of Grégoire Legendre, this world-class company presents classics like Aida, Pagliacci, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, Carmen and more. Shows take place in the majestic Le Grand Théâtre de Québec.
reviewed
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U
McGill Chamber Orchestra
Founded in 1939, this fine chamber ensemble is one of Canada’s oldest. Concerts series are held at McGill University’s Pollack Concert Hall and other venues around the city. Its annual performance of the Messiah is extremely popular.
reviewed
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V
Chopin Foundation of the United States
This national organization hosts a treasure trove of performances for Chopin fans – the Chopin Festival, a series of free monthly concerts and the less frequent National Chopin Piano Competition, an international contest held in Miami every five years.
reviewed
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W
Chamber Music Teas
On some Fridays, members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra get together to perform during afternoon teas in the Cabot-Cahners room of Symphony Hall (doors open at 13:30, concert at 14:30). Consume coffee, tea and baked goods in the finest style.
reviewed
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X
Portland Symphony Orchestra
The Portland Symphony has a solid reputation in these parts; it’s been around since 1924 and continues to perform popular classical and pop concerts, often with guest conductors or star performers sharing the limelight.
reviewed
