festival Reviews
March 11, 2008
Three Degrees of Welcome
The last concert of the Other Minds Festival proves the old adage that "enough is as good as a feast."
Scrutinizing Stravinsky
Joseph Horowitz and guest artists explore the protean works and distinctive style of Igor Stravinsky.
September 4, 2007
Songs in a Cavern
Discoveries abound in an intimate barrel-aging cave at the Music in the Vineyards Festival.
August 21, 2007
French Conquest of Napa Valley
Carmen unites friends and Francophiles at the Music in the Vineyards' second concert in its "Tour de France."
August 14, 2007
Music With a Mission
The venue for the Cabrillo Festival finale is a costar with the stunning program.
Brilliance in the Air
Bates, Adès, and Glass run circles around established musical forms at the Cabrillo Festival.
August 7, 2007
The Allure of Premieres
Great expectations and fleeting pleasures at the opening night of the Cabrillo Festival for Contemporary Music.
Evoking Dylan and the Desert
Three West Coast premieres at the Cabrillo Festival raise the bar for inspired creativity.
Light in the Darkness
The Carmel Bach Festival Chorale unravels Gesualdo’s twisted Tenebrae Responses.
July 31, 2007
July 24, 2007
Blazing Music-making
The Russian National Orchestra delivers thunderous thrills, but Nicola Luisotti's infectious energy proves difficult to control.
Mozart Wins a Convert
The Midsummer Mozart Festival's first program changes one critic's mind about the event's namesake composer.
A Spellbinding Liszt Cycle
Christopher Taylor's recital at the Festival del Sole is transcendent in more ways than one.
Monochrome Cleopatra, Lone Trio
Danielle de Niese unexpectedly delivers a monochrome performance at the Festival del Sole, while a trio of greats fails to achieve unity.
Shining a Light on the Familiar
Surprises abound at the Festival del Sole as Stéphane Denève, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and the Russian National Orchestra excel at the expected and unexpected.
July 17, 2007
Lights Out on Opening Night
Flicka, James and Jeanne Galway, and the Russian National Orchestra shine in a momentarily dim kickoff to the Festival del Sole.
Storming the Fortress
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, David Daniels, and Danielle de Niese knock down the walls of Napa's newest castle at the Festival del Sole.
Souvenirs of Sonoma
The Green Festival shows off a host of festival favorites, not always flatteringly.
In Praise of Sandor Salgo
The Carmel Bach Festival's St. Matthew Passion celebrates the composers' champion from festivals long past.
June 26, 2007
Wavering Over Sergei Sergeievich
Should S.F. Symphony present an entire festival of Prokofiev? Maybe not.
A Concert Several and Rare
With Ilya Yakushev on the piano, the last program of the Prokofiev Festival offers unusual repertoire in a unique format.
June 19, 2007
Opulent Dexterity
S.F. Symphony and Yefim Bronfman reveal Prokofiev "the radical populist."
Angel Fire
S.F. Symphony's Prokofiev Festival showcases bravura playing from Vladimir Feltsman on its second program.
June 12, 2007
Rzewski, Then and Now
The people united ... and on their feet applauding for Frederic Rzewski at the Berkeley Edge Festival.
The King Regrets
Berkeley Edge Festival's Tyrant is a parable of paranoia and guilt.
June 5, 2007
Delightful Medley of Young Ensembles
The Yehudi Menuhin Chamber Music Seminar and Festival is a concentrated welter of coachings, master classes, and performances.
Faculty Help Players to Shine
Hearing the beauty in teaching at the Yehudi Menuhin Seminar and Festival.
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