Bostonians have more to cheer about this year than just the World Champion Red Sox. They’ve also got James Levine as the new music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Anthony Tommasini’s piece in today’s New York Times wonders if Mr. Levine might love the BSO more than the Met. Well, he’s “turned on by . . . audaciously modern music, which he conducts with infectious excitement” and the BSO has embraced that, or so we’re led to believe. Lucky Bostonians, is right! (I still can’t believe I missed the Harbison and Wuorinen premieres while I was out out there.)

Around the blogosphere: Visit The Standing Room and In The Wings by Heather the pianist from Oakland, CA.