Acclaimed Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini dies at age 82

ROME — Maurizio Pollini, a Grammy-winning Italian pianist who performed frequently at La Scala opera house in Milan, has died. He was 82. Pollini died on Saturday, La Scala said in a statement. The announcement didn’t specify a cause of death, but Pollini had been forced to cancel a concert at the Salzburg Festival in … Read more

Music Review: Bass duets by genre-defying virtuosos Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer swing, rumble

Get ready to rumble. This album will work out your sound system. Virtuosos Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer play double bass duets on their first joint album, “But Who’s Gonna Play the Melody?” The answer to that question? Both. McBride and Meyer swap the lead on their instrumental recordings, which include original tracks and cover … Read more

Michael Tilson Thomas to lead New York Philharmonic opening subscription program

NEW YORK — Michael Tilson Thomas is to conduct the opening subscription program of the New York Philharmonic season, three years after the conductor announced he was being treated for a brain tumor. The 79-year-old is to lead the orchestra in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 14 with Emanuel Ax and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony on Sept. … Read more

Byron Janis, renowned American classical pianist who overcame debilitating arthritis, dies at 95

NEW YORK — Byron Janis, a renowned American concert pianist and composer who broke barriers as a Cold War era culture ambassador and later overcame severe arthritis that nearly robbed him of his playing abilities, has died. He was 95. Janis passed away Thursday evening at a hospital in New York City, according to his … Read more

Esa-Pekka Salonen to leave San Francisco Symphony, citing dispute with orchestra’s board

SAN FRANCISCO — Esa-Pekka Salonen will leave the San Francisco Symphony following the 2024-25 season, just his fifth as music director, announcing his departure Thursday with a statement critical of the orchestra’s leadership. “I do not share the same goals for the future of the institution as the board of governors does,” Salonen said in … Read more

Hans Zimmer talks about first North American tour dates in 7 years, the magic of composing for film

LOS ANGELES — For generations, German composer Hans Zimmer ‘s film scores have soundtracked magic movie moments in “The Lion King,” “Gladiator,” the “Dark Knight” trilogy, and most recently, “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two.” This fall, Zimmer will bring his award-winning scores to the live stage. His “Hans Zimmer Live” tour, which sold out in … Read more

James Conlon to retire as Los Angeles Opera music director after 2025-26 season, end 20-year tenure

James Conlon will retire as music director of the Los Angeles Opera at the end of the 2025-26 season, ending a 20-year run that will have spanned half the company’s history. Conlon made the announcement Wednesday, five days before his 74th birthday. He will become conductor laureate in 2026-27 and intends to return to the … Read more

Vienna Philharmonic, once an all-male ensemble, now has 24 female musicians

NEW YORK — Andrea Götsch was surprised when she won her audition in 2019 that led to membership in the Vienna Philharmonic. “When I went home, I was just laughing because I couldn’t realize that they had really taken me,” the 29-year-old clarinetist told The Associated Press. “It was always kind of a dream. As … Read more

Chopin lovers can’t meet their hero, but this pianist got to do the next best thing

WARSAW, Poland — Pianist Eric Guo did everything but travel through time to commune with Chopin. On March 1, the day celebrated as Frederic Chopin’s birthday, the 21-year-old Canadian played one concert at the birthplace of the Romantic-era piano virtuoso and composer, on a piano built during his lifetime. Then he went into town for … Read more

Music Review: Faye Webster’s indie ‘Underdressed at the Symphony’ journeys through a lifetime

Faye Webster, known for her thoughtful blend of indie rock, folk and country, has a new album titled “Underdressed at the Symphony.” The release journeys through a lifetime — looking back at childhood and ahead to adult relationships — without ever sounding rushed. The Atlanta-based singer-songwriter’s new record retains the warm, relaxed tone of her … Read more