The New Criterion

Sometimes Jay indulges in hyperbole—but the hyperbole is not far off. In this episode, he calls Dawn Upshaw’s 1989 recording of “No word from Tom” (Stravinsky) “just about the best thing ever.” You may well agree. He begins the episode with another “just about the best thing ever”: Leontyne Price in “Summertime” (Gershwin), live in Munich, 1968. Also on the menu are Mozart, Bridge, Medtner, and Szymanowski. A winning line-up. Gershwin, “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess” Mozart, String Quartet No. 2 in D major, K. 155 Medtner, Fairy Tale No. 3 Bridge, “Allegro appassionato” Szymanowski, Violin Concerto No. 2 Stravinsky, “No word from Tom” from “The Rake’s Progress”