Category Archives: Pitman Reviews
John Pitman Reviews: Augustin Hadelich’s ‘American Road Trip’
Violinist Augustin Hadelich was born in Italy to German parents, and then moved to the U.S. two decades ago to study at Juilliard, where he has lived ever since. Hadelich and his music embody the idea of the “American melting pot,” as does his new album, American Road Trip. On the album, he reflects as… More
John Pitman Reviews: Arnold Schoenberg
For this edition of John Pitman’s Reviews, John has invited All Classical host and producer Lisa Lipton to sit down with Larry Schoenberg, son of composer Arnold Schoenberg. Lisa, along with microtonal composer Richie Greene, and 45th Parallel Universe musicians Ron Blessinger and James Shields, asked Larry what it was like having one of the… More
John Pitman Review: Christopher O’Riley’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’
In May 2024, pianist Christopher O’Riley was in Portland for a concert with his good friend, cellist Matt Haimovitz. All Classical Radio’s Program Director, John Pitman, invited Christopher for an interview in the Roger O. Doyle Performance Studio, the day before their concert. Christopher shared his knowledge, talent, and insight about Bach and the upcoming… More
John Pitman Review: Miloš’s ‘Baroque’
Miloš, the superstar guitarist who has recorded the standard guitar repertoire, explored the Beatles, as well as the experience of isolation, returns with a carefully-curated collection of music of the 18th century. Baroque is the guitarist’s rediscovery of music that he was taught when a student, to which he now brings his own interpretation and… More
John Pitman Review: Randall Goosby ‘Violin Concertos’
All Classical Radio’s program director, John Pitman, chats with American violinist Randall Goosby about his second album with Decca Classics. The dynamic young soloist brings freshness to a concerto he first encountered as a teenager: Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, and shimmering performances of Florence Price’s two Violin Concertos, with the Philadelphia Orchestra and… More
John Pitman Review: Carlos Simon’s ‘Together’
Composer Carlos Simon has received numerous awards and nominations for works such as 2021’s Requiem for the Enslaved. He recently spoke to All Classical Radio host John Pitman about his latest album Together, a 10-track project that came about from the desire to simply make music with friends and colleagues, after the long period of… More
John Pitman Review: Andrew Brownell’s ‘Shades of Night’
Andrew Brownell is a pianist and former Portlander who, in the mid-1990s would occasionally stop by the All Classical studios for an interview with John Pitman. Often, Andrew would play something on the piano, or accompany violinist Nicholas Crosa (now part of Pink Martini), for an upcoming recital. Brownell recently stopped by for a chat… More
John Pitman Review: Eric Whitacre & Voces8 ‘Home’
All Classical Portland’s Program Director John Pitman recently spoke with American choral composer Eric Whitacre, who has a career now spanning over three decades, is one of the world’s most popular composers among audiences and choirs alike. Several of his works have been recorded multiple times, but even then, the composer sees opportunities when one special… More
John Pitman Review: Benjamin Grosvenor Schumann & Brahms
All Classical Portland’s Program Director John Pitman recently spoke with British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, whose new recording touches on the relationships of Johannes Brahms and Robert and Clara Schumann. Grosvenor chose works that link together Brahms as a young man meeting Robert and his wife, pianist and composer, Clara Wieck Schumann, and Brahms later in… More
John Pitman Review: Mao Fujita Takes On Mozart
Pianist Mao Fujita was born in Japan and now lives in Europe, where he is studying with Kirill Gerstein. Mao was invited to the renowned Verbier Festival in Switzerland a couple of years ago, on the strength of having a number of Mozart’s piano sonatas in his fingers. The Festival asked Mao if he could get… More
