Richard Sheena

Latest Articles

Open spaces

The BSO's Brahms, Ben Zander's Wagner, Collage New Music, and the BEMF's Handel
In my review of the memorable Brahms performances Sir Simon Rattle led with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for the Celebrity Series of Boston last month, I should have mentioned that one decision responsible for the beauty and spaciousness of the orchestral sound was the placement of the first and second violin sections on opposite sides of the stage.
By LLOYD SCHWARTZ | December 02, 2009

The roar of the crowd

‘Opening Night at Symphony,’ Russell Sherman, the Discovery Ensemble, Boston Musica Viva, and the Bostonians
I wasn’t there, but the opening-night dissatisfaction with the Met’s new Tosca was widely reported.
By LLOYD SCHWARTZ | October 13, 2009

Diva-gations

Mark Wigglesworth conducts the BSO; Renée Fleming returns to Symphony Hall
Last week's Boston Symphony concert was a snaggle of contradictions. British guest conductor Mark Wigglesworth was substituting for the exciting but erratic Russian maestro Yuri Termirkanov, who'd cancelled all his American appearances.
By LLOYD SCHWARTZ | April 21, 2009

Marketplace and temple

The BSO’s opening night; Marcus Thompson and the Jupiter String Quartet
At times, this ‘American’ program, led by the BSO’s first American music director, bordered on being a Pops concert.
By LLOYD SCHWARTZ | October 03, 2006

Schizo scherzo

Haitink’s Mahler, Ligeti études, Britten’s Dream , Donizetti’s Lucia
In the best performances, Mahler’s Sixth Symphony, sometimes called his Tragic , can sound like his greatest.
By LLOYD SCHWARTZ | February 09, 2006