Tom Huizenga

Moms In Opera: Women On The Edge

Tom Huizenga — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:14:52 +0000

We love mothers for all the Hallmark reasons: for their compassion and patience, not to mention giving birth. But some moms aren't exactly greeting card friendly — and none less so than those who live in the opera house.

This is opera, after all, so we expect the outrageous. But operatic moms seem to be disproportionately portrayed as murderers, harpies or generally women on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Your Normas, Medeas, Butterflies, Queens of the Night and Clytemnestras.

But dads are found in all kinds of touching musical moments.

The Conductor Who Gained Power By Giving It Up

Tom Huizenga — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:52:32 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opolY2qTzpc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z9uChJl4iM

Vespers, Habaneras And Early Morning Walks: New Classical Albums

Tom Huizenga — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 00:37:00 +0000

Robert Frost's famous poem "The Road Not Taken" begins with the line: "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood." Frost's traveler must choose between them. But slide that metaphor over to the world of classical music and you will discover hundreds of paths to explore.

Measures Of Affection: Five Musical Love Letters

Tom Huizenga — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:54:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht1OkPN6Zso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hctOXPdaWXk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cqz2yomToA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cibwQFbwEPs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKBVL45VSs

What Ever Happened To The Classical Christmas Album?

Tom Huizenga — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:03:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr-csOGecGc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKvoygXsRV4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH4rSCabUWg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONknTGUckKc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39h3VVfOoW0

A Bald Mezzo And Three Shades Of Violin: Classical Favorites From 2012

Tom Huizenga — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 20:04:00 +0000

From mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli's ambitious revival of the early Baroque composer Agostino Stefani (and yes, she's got another outrageous album cover) to three very different roles for the violin, here's a clutch of classical albums I returned to again and again this year for sheer delight and aural inspiration. Bartoli lavishes extravagant attention on the music of a fascinating but forgotten link in the history of opera.

Elliott Carter, Giant Of American Music, Dies At 103

Tom Huizenga — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:50:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1stGn4NA-tU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwbPwq3-PAs

Headbanging Bruckner And Debussy In Black And White: New Classical Albums

Tom Huizenga — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Some people are intimidated by the vastness of classical music. And while the prospect of more than 1,000 years of hits to consider may be daunting, just think instead of how many musical journeys of discovery can be made.

A Know-It-All's Guide To Olympic Music

Tom Huizenga — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:52:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IizWc4cJwbw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xio0TcKhRUI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZARDqznfyo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YdgWWaH7UM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsB4a--WRTs

Fireworks From Cuba, And Schubert That Grooves: New Classical Albums

Tom Huizenga — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:41:00 +0000

Although it always seems fashionable to forecast the downfall of classical music, enterprising musicians both young and not so young continue to make deeply satisfying recordings. For this visit to weekends on All Things Considered, I was delighted to uncover the little known (at least in this country) Jorge Luis Prats, a terrifically talented Cuban pianist whose once uncertain career appears to be resurging — at 55, he has signed a handsome record deal. Then there's The Knights, a young chamber orchestra with a postmodern take on Schubert.