Jeff Dunn
Jeff Dunn is a freelance critic with a B.A. in music and a Ph.D. in geologic education. A composer of piano and vocal music, he is a member of the National Association of Composers, USA, a former president of Composers, Inc., and has served on the Board of New Music Bay Area. A photomontage enthusiast, he illustrates his own reviews.
Articles by this Author
CD REVIEW
June 1, 2012
Alison Balsom’s latest compilation of her trumpet selections offers some tried-and-true along with several new pieces for her, all played in her distinctive manner.
More »
Critics' Picks
May 24 - 27
One of the best concerts of the season will be heard in May.
More about San Francisco Symphony »
Critics' Picks
May 18
Fans of the Oakland East Bay Symphony should be on pins and needles for its upcoming May concert.
More about Oakland East Bay Symphony »
Critics' Picks
May 10 - 13
The New Century Chamber Orchestra is one of the great Bay Area institutions.
More about New Century Chamber Orchestra »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
April 26, 2012
Filling in for an injured Joana Carneiro, Edwin Outwater’s arrival at the Berkeley Symphony didn’t just save the day, his vigorous and focused approach effected an outstanding set of performances.
More about Berkeley Symphony »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
April 19, 2012
Mardi Gras, Nubian arabesques, garden insects, enchantments: All great subjects for evocative works of orchestral wizardry at the S.F. Symphony, deftly conducted by Stéphane Denève and superbly performed.
More about San Francisco Symphony »
Critics' Picks
April 26
Music Director Joana Carneiro leads Berkeley Symphony in a rousing season finale, taking the audience on a spellbinding journey to Hungary.
More about Berkeley Symphony »
Critics' Picks
April 15 - 16
There is plenty of drama in this program for Welser-Möst’s operatic experience to shine.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Chamber Music REVIEW
March 24, 2012
A well-planned program of chamber music presents works both new and time-tested, plus a few attractive incidentals.
More »Chamber Music REVIEW
March 18, 2012
With songs and a bang, the S.F. Symphony performs challenging works with true glory.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Festival REVIEW
March 15, 2012
Pairs of contrasting works illustrated 20th-century extremes and 21st-century frontiers of orchestration at the Mavericks Festival were brilliantly juxtaposed and together made for a wonderful concert.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Festival REVIEW
March 4, 2012
Two long nights at a new-music festival prove to be a trial, leavened by a couple of wake-up works.
More about Other Minds »CD REVIEW
February 17, 2012
A superprolific Armenian-American composer said that ideas “persecute him,” causing him to write every day. This CD offers a range of his works, with their high-quality tunes and, in one work, effective drama.
More »
Critics' Picks
March 10 - 14
For the purest maverickism, attend the second concert honoring four rule-breakers and featuring top-notch artists.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Opera REVIEW
February 10, 2012
Ensemble Paralléle's production of John Harbison’s The Great Gatsby, newly trimmed and reorchestrated with the help of Jacques Desjardins, is a triumph of improvement over previous productions.
More about Opera Parallèle »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
February 8, 2012
The S.F. Symphony's concert entirely devoted to Bruckner’s massive Fifth Symphony, offered a time-bending experience for those utterly engaged by the work.
More about San Francisco Symphony »
Critics' Picks
February 8 - 10
Herbert Blomstedt leads the Symphony in what many believe is his signature piece, Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony.
More about San Francisco Symphony »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
January 31, 2012
If you ever wondered how today’s symphonies contrast with those of a century ago, a trip to the Marin Symphony to hear Alasdair Neal conduct the orchestra would have been enlightening.
More about Marin Symphony »CD REVIEW
January 25, 2012
A fascinating, rarely heard Czech symphony by Josef Suk meditates on death, and is well worth a hearing.
More »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
January 24, 2012
Score one for the California Symphony and cello soloist Joshua Roman, who displays major talent.
More about California Symphony »
