BSO/Classical New England — 2020/07/18

WCRB reaches back two years to July 22, 2018, for this week's "encore broadcast." Here, somewhat edited, is how I previewed it at the time:

…Thomas Adès conducts his own music and that of Sibelius. This synopsis appears in the orchestra's performance detail page:

Thomas Adès conducts Adès and Sibelius with Christian Tetzlaff

Tanglewood 

Koussevitzky Music Shed - Lenox, MA - View Map

BSO Artistic Partner Thomas Adès makes his first Tanglewood appearance of 2018, taking the podium to lead the BSO in his own Suite from Powder Her Face, the composer's 1995 chamber opera, which helped cement an already impressive reputation. Mr. Adès will also lead the orchestra in Sibelius's Symphony No. 5, and renowned German violinist Christian Tetzlaff joins the orchestra for Sibelius's Violin Concerto.

(Some emphasis added.)

I make no guarantees about "Powder Her Face," but I like Sibelius. His music is among the most tonal and least dissonant of works by prominent composers of the early 20th Century.

There isn't much of my own that I can add now. The Boston Mysical Intelligencer published a highly favorable review. The Globe also has a review which says nothing about "Powder Her Face," but is very complimentary toward the interpretations of the Sibelius.

To conclude, then, it seems that the two Sibelius works are must listening, and the Adès should be at least okay. Tune your radio, computer, or other device to WCRB at 8:00 p.m. to enjoy it.