James Levine does a masterful job conducting from a chair

adamg — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:45:16 +0000

Mike Ball reviews the BSO's opening performance of Stravinsky and Bartok, conducted by a chair-bound James Levine:

When I first saw his fancy office chair on his little dais, I was thinking he'd been immobilized. His staggering on-stage leaving heavily on a cane reinforced that sense.

Forget that. Come baton-waving time, he was if anything liberated by his chair, which became yet another tool instead of a limitation. If anything, he was more active last night than when he stood on two feet.

James Levine cancels all Tanglewood appearances this summer

adamg — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:35:40 +0000

Joel Brown reports.

James Levine needs immediate back surgery

adamg — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:39:39 +0000

Joel Brown reports on the BSO conductor's latest medical issue.