2019-2020 Season
The Arts Fuse: Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra plays Stravinsky and Berlioz
Jonathan Blumhofer reviews the BPYO's concert and live stream: "The BPYO was in particularly fine fettle in Berlioz’s harrowing “dramatic symphony.” Inspired by the composer’s obsession with the actress Harriett Smithson, the Symphonie famously depicts a love-addled artist on an opium trip that culminates with him murdering his beloved and being tormented by her (and a coven of witches) in hell. Thursday’s performance captured its ardent twists and turns vigorously. Tempos in the opening “Visions and Passions” were flexible, dynamics carefully balanced, and textures – even at the busy apex of the movement’s recapitulation – lucid." -Jonathan Blumhofer. Read the full review on The Arts Fuse.org.
The Boston Musical Intelligencer: BPYO Fantastique Stream Shows Possibilities
Vance R. Koven writes about the live stream of the BPYO concert and live stream in general. Read the full article on The Boston Musical Intelligencer.
WBUR: The Year In Boston's Classical Music Scene
"in the right hands even a group of talented kids can give us the best Mahler of the year." -Lloyd Schwartz. Read the article on WBUR.org.
The Arts Fuse: Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at Symphony Hall
"If there were an award for performances of standard fare played with fresh purpose and zest this fall, the Boston Philharmonic would have won it: their canonical October and November concerts teemed with energy, brilliance, color, and – above all – elemental life force...Of course, the common denominator between both groups is Benjamin Zander, who remains as spry, enthusiastic, and intellectually engaged a conductor as ever, even when he’s conducting pieces we’ve all heard countless times." -Jonathan Blumhofer. Read the full review at The Arts Fuse.org.
The Boston Musical Intelligencer: Jackiw and BPYO Cure Warhorseitis
"Hearing this contingent for the first time, and, believe or not, Zander for the first time, I can attest as a satisfied listener and critic that much of the execution reached completely professional levels" -Crawford Best. Read the full review on The Boston Musical Intelligencer.
The Boston Globe: Stefan Jackiw and Benjamin Zander return to the Mendelssohn Concerto, 20 years later
"Once again Zander had drawn out the very best from these young players, and a delighted crowd in Symphony Hall made its gratitude seen and heard." -Jeremy Eichler. Read the full review on TheBostonGlobe.com
Arts Desk: Classical CDs Weekly Review: Haydn, Mahler, Matthew Whiteside
"Wonderful, then, and I'd also give an unqualified thumbs up to another, very different live performance from Benjamin Zander’s implausibly well-drilled Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. More volatile and unpredictable, the players’ energy is totally convincing." -Graham Rickson. Read the review at Arts Desk.
Brandeis Magazine: Art Beat
"In June, violinist Lizzy Joo ’22 was among the nearly 100 musicians who participated in the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s 16-day tour of Brazil, performing nine concerts in eight cities. A series of master classes and side-by-side performances with local musicians gave the ensemble many chances to interact with colleagues across cultural and linguistic boundaries." Read the article in Brandeis Magazine: Art Beat
The Arts Fuse: Arts Commentary: 2019-20 Classical Music Preview
Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra plays Strauss, Mendelssohn, and Mahler (November 24)
Boston’s best classical ensemble of 2019 (according to Boston Magazine – and I’m not about to argue with that assessment) returns to action with music by Mahler and Verdi framing a performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. The brilliant fiddler Stefan Jackiw is soloist in the latter. -Jonathan Blumhofer. Read it on the Arts Fuse.org
