Jay Nordlinger

Share on EmailOn Friday morning, the New York Philharmonic was conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali, a fabulous Finn—one of multitudes. Is every person in Finland a conductor? No, only every third person. Rouvali has a graceful conducting style, with balletic arms. He is clear in what he wants—you could follow him from the second balcony. And he has one helluva mop.

On a podcast with Ron Blum, Associated Press writer on baseball and opera.

Share on Email“It’s a battle of the bands!” said the man behind me to his companion. She protested, “It’s not a battle.” “I know,” he said.

On a concert of the Berlin Philharmonic, under Kirill Petrenko, at Carnegie Hall.

Notes on Russia’s attempt to conquer Ukraine, and the response of the West.

On performances at the Park Avenue Armory, the Metropolitan Opera & more.

Now as in Soviet days, individual Russians are among the bravest and noblest people in the world.

On a music podcast.

Share on EmailThe classic format of an orchestral concert is overture–concerto–symphony. Last night at the New York Philharmonic, we had concerto–symphony. The former piece was the Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, by Beethoven. The soloist? Yefim Bronfman. The conductor? Paavo Järvi (son of Neeme, the venerable Estonian conductor).

What Stefan Zweig and others have to tell us.