James Levine

The Profile

American conductor and pianist (1943–2021), longtime Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera (1976–2016).

Longtime leader at the Metropolitan Opera; renowned for conducting symphonic and operatic repertoire and for studio/live recordings with the Met Orchestra.

DeBaser houses a close reading of James Levine's performance with the Metropolitan Orchestra on Mussorgsky/Ravel's Pictures at an Exhibition and Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps. The reviewer praises Levine's intensity, dynamics and orchestral control. The pieces are discussed in depth, with listening recommendations for careful, attentive hearings. The overall judgment is strongly favorable.