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WHAT’S IN A REVIEW? LET”S REVIEW<br />
Being a music critic has its rewards -- but it also has its drawbacks. On one hand, you get to<br />
go to tons of concerts -- and you get in free. On the other hand, you can't just sit back and<br />
enjoy the listening experience. You spend most of the time analyzing, evaluating and<br />
scribbling notes about what you're hearing and seeing.<br />
Star Ratings<br />
One especially difficult part of the job is deciding the star ratings. Reviewers are required to<br />
rate performances on a five-star scale, five being the highest rating.<br />
Criteria<br />
Musical interpretation and expression: Did the soloist/ensemble project and capture the<br />
spirit of the work?<br />
Technical execution: Was this an accurate, well prepared performance?<br />
Creativity and originality: Did the conductor/musicians bring their own personality to the<br />
work, possibly showing us something new?<br />
Programming: Was this a well-balanced, cohesive combination of musical choices?<br />
Quality/style of works: This applies especially to new works.<br />
Venue: Was it suitable for the genre of show, offering good acoustics and sightlines?<br />
Costuming (in opera or some pops concerts): Did they add authenticity and flair to the<br />
performance?<br />
Choreography (opera and some pops concerts): Was it well done, creative and suitable?<br />
Demeanour: Did the performers project personality, confidence, energy, etc. and connect<br />
with the audience?<br />
Atmosphere: What was the overall feeling at this concert? Was it an event? Was there<br />
warmth, excitement, etc.?<br />
Introductory remarks: Were they useful in giving us background that would enhance the<br />
listening experience or were they just lengthy lists of housekeeping items that detracted<br />
from the reason we were there?<br />
Considerations contributing to an overall rating<br />
Gut feeling<br />
One thing we can't ignore, as human beings, is the gut feeling we get at a concert. This is<br />
the intuitive, perhaps partly emotional reaction to a performance. Every work and every<br />
performance contributes to the whole, and not until the end can one render a decision.<br />
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