Music
Steel Valley choir to share stage with classic rock icon Foreigner
By Michael DivittorioSteel Valley High School choir members will have the experience of a lifetime sharing the stage with an iconic rock band on Friday night. Students …
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Disney music concert appeals to many ages
By Bob KarlovitsDaniel Meyer says conducting a concert of music from the Disney film canon might seem easy enough, but the job has its challenges. He says …
Big Eyes scores with no-frills approach
By Jeffrey Sisk‘Almost Famous’ Big Eyes (Grave Mistake) ∂∂∂∂ There’s an undeniable energy surging through the rough-around-the-edges garage rock of up-and-coming three-piece Big Eyes that makes sophomore …
Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards
By The Associated PressAnother day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight of 11 awards, including …
Styx, REO Speedwagon and Nugent still up to rocking the crowd
By Kellie B. Gormly 10:43 a.m.Ted Nugent — the fiery Motor City Madman — seems like a peculiar third wheel on a rock tour featuring clean and classy bands REO Speedwagon and Styx. But, Nugent sure gave the show an interesting and peppery start Sunday …
Tim McGraw’s Saturday night concert full of surprises
By Kellie B. GormlySurprise formed a major element of Tim McGraw’s Saturday night concert at the First Niagara Pavilion, starting with the country star’s unexpected entry onto the stage from the audience instead of backstage. Many lucky fans in the sea of thousands …
New album, label, tour give McGraw 'fresh energy'
By Kellie B. GormlyTim McGraw’s new record label, new album and corresponding tour have him saying “Truck Yeah” with glee. McGraw, who will perform May 18 at the …
Flavors of the world treat for PSO fans
By Mark KannyNothing was routine at Friday night’s Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert, when guest conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier led an exciting program of music by four composers from as many countries. The featured soloist was Valentina Lisitsa, who made a spectacular debut …
Review: Bellamy puts the blues in R&B
By Jeffrey Sisk‘In My Lane’ Candace Bellamy (self-released) ∂∂∂∂ Austin, Texas-based newcomer Candace Bellamy puts the “blues” in rhythm & blues on stellar debut “In My Lane.” …
Styx ready to embrace new media in getting its sound out
By Alan SculleyLike many veteran bands, Styx has found that there are drawbacks to trying to make new records. “Radio, particularly classic-rock radio, won’t touch new music …
Pianist Valentina Lisitsa sees more than one musical truth
By Mark KannyThere isn’t any single path to success in music. Since Valentina Lisitsa’s spectacular Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra debut in 2010, playing Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. …
Josh Ritter’s new outlook shows up in his music
By Alan SculleyJosh Ritter’s songs usually tell stories. For instance, his previous album, “So the World Runs Away,” had songs about an awakened Egyptian mummy and a …
Pittsburgh Symphony announces late summer European tour
By Mark KannyManfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony will give 11 concerts in five countries during their 2013 European Festivals Tour, Aug. 26 to Sept. 15. Performances begin at the Grafenegg Festival in Austria, Aug. 29 and 30, and continue at the …
Beyonce cancels Belgium show under doctor’s orders
By The Associated PressBeyonce canceled her May 14 concert in Belgium because of dehydration and exhaustion. In an email to the Associated Press, the singer’s publicist says Beyonce has been advised by her doctors to rest. She was scheduled to perform at the …
Music review: Lewis’ Sun sessions shine on essential CD release
By Jeffrey Sisk‘The Essential Jerry Lee Lewis: The Sun Sessions’ Jerry Lee Lewis (Legacy) ∂∂∂∂½ Even though his well-deserved reputation as a loose cannon (they don’t call …
Q&A: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin talks biopic
By Mesfin FekaduAretha Franklin has a meeting about her upcoming biopic, which has been in the works for years. Franklin says she’s heavily involved in the project, including who will play her in the film. Front-runners include Jennifer Hudson and Tony winner …
PSO concert reflects conductor's strengths, inexperience
By Mark KannyTwo musicians in the early stage of their careers held center stage on Friday night in Heinz Hall playing standard repertoire — American conductor Kazem Abdullah made his Pittsburgh Symphony debut, and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti made her second appearance …
1969 Hendrix telegram: Can Paul come to play?
By The Associated PressLONDON — Miles and Jimi. Jimi and Miles. Fans of the late trumpet and guitar masters have long known that Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix had been making plans to record together in the year before Hendrix’s sudden death in …
Philharmonic offering new to Westmoreland Symphony’s summer music programs
By Tribune-ReviewA summer philharmonic program is a new offering in the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Academy of Music program. The orchestra will meet from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Tuesdays from June 11 to July 16 in the Seton Hill Performing Arts Center …
Conductor Kazem Abdullah living his dream come true
By Mark KannyYoung American conductor Kazem Abdullah is having the time of his life. At 33, he is looking forward to his second season as general music …
