Niels Swinkels
Native Dutchman Niels Swinkels is a freelance journalist, musicologist, and sound engineer. Before moving to San Francisco, he was the arts editor and senior classical music/opera critic for Brabants Dagblad, a regional daily newspaper in the Netherlands. As a freelance writer and sound engineer, he currently works for San Francisco Opera, KALW Local Public Radio, Elevation Online, Earprint Productions, and others.
Articles by this Author
Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
May 19, 2013
The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra closed its 2012-2013 season with an inspired concert that included interesting and meaningful juxtapositions.
More about San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra »Choral REVIEW
May 3, 2013
Santos, the new oratorio by Gabriela Lena Frank for the San Francisco Girls Chorus and the Berkeley Symphony, shows a composer reaching the height of her considerable powers.
More about San Francisco Girls Chorus »Chamber Music REVIEW
April 18, 2013
After decades of superb performances, the Tokyo String Quartet rings down the curtain, in its farewell San Francisco concert.
More about Chamber Music San Francisco »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
April 16, 2013
Consolation and beauty are offered to those mourning a loss, including SFCV founding editor Robert Commanday, in a spellbinding concert by the Marin Symphony and Orchestra.
More about Marin Symphony »Artist Spotlight
April 12, 2013
Before making his S.F. Symphony debut, Augustin Hadelich talks about his musical upbringing in Italy with German parents, how he prepares for performance, and where he finds his extraordinary instruments.
More »Artist Spotlight
April 2, 2013
The virtuoso recitalist Richard Goode speaks of how Beethoven chose him, and of how he loves to “enact the music” for himself and his rapt audiences.
More »Choral REVIEW
March 23, 2013
Perhaps the world’s preeminent ensemble for Renaissance vocal music, the Tallis Scholars deliver eloquence to die for.
More about Cal Performances »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
March 15, 2013
Musical fireworks from Italy light up the sky in Philharmonia Baroque’s latest outing, with four brilliant soloists.
More about Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra »Recital REVIEW
March 9, 2013
In a recital, violinist Sarah Chang displays her intense, sometimes flashy style, but often lacks depth.
More about Chamber Music San Francisco »Recital REVIEW
March 4, 2013
In an emotion-filled tribute, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis dazzle with their artistry.
More about San Francisco Performances »Choral REVIEW
March 2, 2013
A rare outing for two unusual instruments sets apart American Bach Soloists’ splendid performance, with soloists Elizabeth Blumenstock and Debra Nagy.
More about American Bach Soloists »Chamber Music REVIEW
February 2, 2013
The period ensemble New Esterházy Quartet revives music by a prolific Viennese composer/publisher, one Franz Anton Hoffmeister.
More about New Esterházy Quartet »Artist Spotlight
February 4, 2013
Widely recorded and always giving recitals, the Danish recorder virtuoso Michala Petri talks about her love of contemporary music and jazz, and how music lives in in her finger-memory.
More »Recital REVIEW
January 24, 2013
A sense of adventure and musical integrity marked the opening of a tour by Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott.
More about Cal Performances »Recital REVIEW
January 14, 2013
Mezzo Laurie Rubin is a natural performer with a heart-warming life story and a series of admirable accomplishments, including a book.
More about Music at Meyer »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
December 15, 2012
Bach’s summation of his art as a composer, his Mass in B Minor, made for a healing concert the day after a horrific event.
More about Santa Rosa Symphony »Artist Spotlight
December 7, 2012
An internationally respected Bach specialist, on his way to Berkeley, speaks of his affinity for his music, which is hugely popular in his native Japan.
More »Choral REVIEW
November 30, 2012
California Bach Society takes listeners on an enjoyable cruise through Dutch Christmas traditions.
More about California Bach Society »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
October 28, 2012
Music inspired by Italy launches Marin Symphony’s 60th season, with tasteful and crowd-pleasing effect. A highlight is Jeremy Cohen’s new work for quartet and orchestra.
More about Marin Symphony »Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
October 6, 2012
Starting to settle into its beautiful new hall, with its superb acoustics, the Santa Rosa Symphony launches its current season with high hopes and fine playing.
More about Santa Rosa Symphony »
