Biographer James Kaplan was aided by the assistance of Irving Berlin's two elder daughters, and that makes this biography particularly valuable. The post Book Review: "Irving Berlin: New Yo…
This is a brilliant book that comes at a propitious time in our country's history. The post Book Review: "Blowout" " A Devastating Vision of What is at Stake appeared first on The Arts Fuse.
At a time when Kenneth Branagh busies himself clogging up multiplexes with bombastic Agatha Christie all-star remakes, director/writer Rian Johnson revels in subversion of the genre. The pos…
Nearly halfway into the set, Twigs finally turned to Magdalene, which casts an empowering light on Jesus Christ's female companion -- and stands among 2019's best albums. The post Rock Conce…
But really, what is a Bob Dylan concert these days if not a case study in transformation? The post Rock Concert Review: Bob Dylan at the Tsongas Center " Nothing if Not Chameleonic appeared …
The Henry Purcell Society proves that playing mad can be a lot of fun. The post Concert Review: Henry Purcell Society " The Delights of Going Mad appeared first on The Arts Fuse.
We are immersed for 70-minutes in a powerful evocation of the destructive culture created by men who treat women as sex objects. The post Dance Review: "Object." " Objectifying Women, Intens…
These superbly produced -- and sung, played, and conducted -- holiday music albums are perfect stocking stuffers. The post Classical CD Reviews: Two Holiday Albums That Strike Like Thunderbo…
Michael Tilson Thomas delivers a towering Ives Fourth; pianist Conrad Tao's American Rage is hard-edged and defiant, but also poignant and stirring; Gianandrea Noseda's Shostakovich Fourth i…
What makes Marriage Story unbalanced and faintly dishonest is that we end up rooting for the clueless male egomaniac. The post Film Review: "Marriage Story" " A Divorce From Hell appeared fi…
A script with this many characters buzzing about demands a strong cast -- fortunately, Hub Theatre's terrific ensemble is more than up to the task. The post Theater Review: "The Last Days of…
Because Eliza Griswold's poems often take place in war zones, she's always provocative -- even when she is tendentious. The post Poetry Review: "If Men, Then" " Verse on Present Day Firing L…
Arts Fuse critics select the best in film, dance, visual art, theater, music, and author events for the coming weeks. The post Coming Attractions: November 17 through December 2 " What Will …
A noteworthy recording of Ernst von Dohnányi's Symphony no. 1; as usual, Harry Christophers and the Handel & Haydn Society Play Haydn with their customary elegance and character; a ce…
Violinist Liza Ferschtman and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra's account of Beethoven's Violin Concerto lacked nothing for momentum and spirit. The post Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic …
Judy McKie draws on a personal mythology in which animal and plant forms become abstracted yet recognizable, anthropomorphic while remaining strangely primeval. The post Visual Arts Review: …
Terrific, fiery playing from George Li, one of the most compelling young pianists on the scene; Mariss Jansons' recording of Shostakovich's Tenth trudges from start to finish; irrefutable pr…
Tool is going to remain relevant as long as the band can still effectively unleash its nightmare-ish delights for fervid fans. The post Concert Review: Tool " Defying Convention appeared fir…
These are two practiced masters at free improvisation. I am confident that many listeners will find them as intriguing and accomplished as I do. The post Jazz Album Review: Karl Berger and J…
Two recent biographies take very different approaches as they revel in the wild lives and examine the distinctive songs of two of rock music's most enigmatic figures: Lou Reed and Warren Zev…
Simon Rattle's Bruckner is, on the whole, lean and lively; if you're looking for a new Mahler Four, Vladimir Jurowski's is the one to check out; Thierry Fischer leads performances of each sy…
When someone recommended to Steven Hassan he write a volume called The Cult of Trump, "it just seemed like the most important book I could write, frankly." The post Book Review: "The Cult of…
The sound on these discs couldn't be more clear or precise; the music is low-key, thoughtful, and resolutely melodious. The post Jazz Albums Review: The 'Season' of Newvelle Muri " Adventuro…
In the right hands, Shostakovich's Twelfth can come off as nothing less than an intriguing, lively symphonic essay. The post Concert Review: Boston Symphony Orchestra plays Jolas, Ravel, and…
"You can read Frederick Douglass forever and still just encounter new things, new ideas, new passages, new phrases. He's that kind of writer. It's like reading Emerson or even Shakespeare." …