Mark Swed has been the classical music critic of the Los Angeles Times since 1996. Before that, he was a music critic for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and the Wall Street Journal and has written extensively for international publications. Swed is the author of the book-length text to the best-selling iPad app, “The Orchestra,” and is a former editor of the Musical Quarterly. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist in criticism, honored in 2021 and 2007.
Latest From This Author
The Pacific Symphony gives the world premiere of James MacMillan’s magnificent ‘Fiat Lux,’ commissioned for the consecration of the refurbished Christ Cathedral.
Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s luminosity changed the whole notion of what music can represent and also indelibly illuminated 21st century opera.
Our critic weighs in on Apple’s new classical music app, a look at the ‘Transparent’ musical, a David Hammons documentary and more in this week’s newsletter
Gustavo Dudamel returns to lead the last two weeks of the L.A. Phil season in premieres by Ellen Reid and Gabriella Smith along with Beethoven’s Seventh.
Citando a su familia, Gustavo Dudamel anuncia su repentina salida como director musical de la Ópera de París, donde había sido bien recibido.
Citing his family, Gustavo Dudamel announces his sudden departure as music director of Paris Opera, where he had been well received.
Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to the L.A. Phil to give the U.S. premiere of his new organ concerto — in sensational fashion.
L.A. Opera brings back Verdi’s ‘Otello,’ the first opera it ever produced, with tenor Russell Thomas delivering inner torment with heartbreaking beauty.
Los Angeles Philharmonic chief executive Chad Smith will leave America’s most successful orchestra to become president of the BSO.
Keith Haring’s first-ever L.A. museum survey, Sondheim celebrations, a groundbreaking Chicanx art show, intriguing Ojai Music Festival offerings and plenty more to check out this summer.