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This month, Christoph Eschenbach officially assumes his positions as music director of both the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center. Beethoven and Mahler are among the offerings in the first few weeks.

MSO Board chair announced at the orchestra's season opener dedicated to Haiti that maestro Kent Nagano has been signed for three more years to his contract, meaning that he will lead the orchestra for another four years.

A nimble orchestra and a baritone with a sense of complete emotional honesty. Rating: * * * *

Nelson Goerner (piano). Rating * * * *

Doric String Quartet. Rating * * * *

Marc-André Hamelin. Rating * * *

Olli Mustonen (piano), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, cond Sakari Oramo. Rating * * * *

BBC Symphony Orchestra, cond Jir?í Be?lohlávek. Rating * * * *

A link to my latest interview with the great cellist, plus some Youtube of him playing some unbelievably amazing Schumann. http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/3356

Tim Rutherford-Johnson has a piece in the Guardian on Mark-Anthony Turnage's Beyoncé escapade. It was, of course, intentional: Turnage's son Milo loves dancing to "Single Ladies."

Even if the simple mechanics of "Chopsticks" elude you, you can still experience the rush of playing a piano concerto -- by exercising. The pieces in this mix are not recommended for the faint of heart.

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(originally posted on Culture Monster)

While you’re waiting to see if Jackie Evancho makes it through to the finals on America’s Got Talent (and Miss Mussel knows you all are), feast your ears on these other pint-sized wonders.

By Colin Holter

If you don't buy the notion that a divine wind is blowing into you (which I don't), I guess it's a question for the cognitive scientists; all that's left for us to figure out is how to achieve these moments as regularly as we can.

Hearing the five members of Imani Winds talk about their history together and what keeps them going is like walking in on a great party. Read the interview...

Sylvain Cambreling / Klangforum Wien; Kairos 1233.

 By Naomi Gold, naomi.gold@yahoo.com
Photo: © G CREATIVE

Melissa White almost called it quits with music. But she rekindled passion for her fiddle by teaching youngsters. Now she plays in a successful, innovative string quartet. Watch a video of her story.

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Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, BBC Philharmonic, cond Gianandrea Noseda. Rating * * * * *

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, BBC Philharmonic, cond Gianandrea Noseda. Rating * * * * *

London Conchord Ensemble, William Dazeley (baritone). Rating * * * *