Lloyd Schwartz

Music scholar Barry Cooper discovered Ludwig van Beethoven's outlines for a final symphony, and decided to complete the work himself. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has a review of the premiere recording, on the MCA label.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new album featuring a 1932 recording of the composer's Bolero, performed by the Orchestre des concerts Lamoureux, and helmed by Ravel himself

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz praises a new release of excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Christmas-themed suite, conducted by Yevgeney Mravinsky and performed by the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra. The CD also features what Schwartz says is one of the most powerful performances of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet ballet.

There has been a spate of new recordings of Broadway musicals. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says that a new CD release of Show Boat is the best of the bunch, in part because of how it addresses race relations in way that's still relevant today.

The experimental composer, who just celebrated his 80th birthday, has largely abandoned conventional technique in his recent work. But after listening back to some of Carter's earlier songs, classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says he can hear traces of melody in his more difficult pieces.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new PBS documentary about Maria Callas. He says it's not as well-organized or thoughtful as an earlier film about the opera star; the late singer would be better served by a complete broadcast of one of her performances.

Lloyd Schwartz says that Spanish cellist's renditions of Bach are unrivaled. He reviews Casals' complete performances the composer's cello suite, as well as a more recent recording of Beethoven's trios.

Composer Lou Harrison studied with Arnold Schoenberg and Henry Cowell, and collaborated with John Cage. But classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says that a new recording of his music reveals an Asian influence. It's a calming addition to the late-20th century repertory.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a series of recordings of pianist Artur Schanbel's performances of Mozart's music. Schwartz also shares some personal stories which illustrate why this music is so important to him.

Critic Lloyd Schwartz says recordings of Gyorgy Kurtag's music are few, but he was able to track down a recent LP of some of the composer's song cycles -- several of which are full of humor.