Reviews

David Bratman - February 14, 2011

Rhythmic vitality ruled Saturday at the Redwood Symphony concert, led by guest conductor Joyce Johnson-Hamilton, in a program designed to warm the hearts of music lovers who prefer the just slightly unusual.

Jerry Kuderna - February 14, 2011

Hélène Grimaud’s new solo disc Resonances comprises the recital program she has been touring this past season. It is a welcome change to find a pianist willing to risk the juxtaposition of Mozart and Berg.

Janos Gereben - February 14, 2011

Something magical happened during Dmitri Hvorostovsky's recital at Davies Symphony Hall on Sunday. Twice.

Steve Osborn - February 13, 2011

How many performances of the “Jupiter” Symphony does it take to turn on a light bulb above the head of attentive listeners? In the case of the Santa Rosa Symphony, it only takes one.

Michelle Dulak Thomson - February 8, 2011

Classical musicians don’t ordinarily record “albums” now; they record works. But Musica Pacifica’s Dancing in the Isles is an album.

Jeff Dunn - February 8, 2011

Paul Bowles, once described as “famous for not being famous,” was an allusive artist of elusive categorization. On Saturday, Nicole Paiement’s Blue Print project began its ninth season, with a intriguing focus on Bowles’ music.

Jeff Dunn - February 7, 2011

Our very own San Francisco Symphony have come up with an excellent performance of the most famous symphony of them all. This release is worth making some sublime noise about.

Jason Victor Serinus - February 5, 2011

Lyric tenor and composer Roland Hayes (1887-1977) may be the most important “Aframerican” (his term) classical singer of the 20th century that you don’t know about.

Janos Gereben - February 5, 2011

Many enthusiastic Gilbert & Sullivan fans are not familiar with The Yeomen of the Guard.
And yet, when you finally get to this atypical, unusual work — currently presented by Lamplighters — there are great rewards to be found, including some of G&S' best music and most clever lyrics. 

Thomas Busse - February 1, 2011

A concert put on by the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony offered great variation in technical accomplishment — often very good — and it took on interest for the wider musical community with the appearance of Brian Thorsett and with the premiere of three songs by S.F. composer David Conte.