Brett Campbell

Virtuosic playing takes center stage on eighth blackbird’s latest CD, sometimes at the expense of the music’s power and beauty.

Other Minds, in collaboration with Cal Performances, is putting on a major retrospective of Conlon Nancarrow’s music this weekend. It’s music that, as Frank Zappa said, “will kill you.” (And he meant that in a good way.)

Robert Wilson and Philip Glass’ radical theatrical vision can still stir the imagination of audiences and younger musicians, like violinist Jennifer Koh.

The musical future is in good hands with these composers, all of whom qualify for the adjective “young.”

Resourceful composers find new audiences for new music outside the concert hall.

A couple of wildcard pieces brighten two new CDs by the Knights and the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, which let the music (not the theme) rule.

The Portland Cello Project plays almost anything, almost anywhere, in its mashed-up world of all-embracing music.

A pianist besotted with the music of Sondheim presents variations on his brilliant songs by an A-team of composers/arrangers.

A new film documents the rich life of the revered, polymath composer Lou Harrison.

Charles Amirkhanian travels the world to find new music and innovative composers, and will soon convene his latest finds at the 17th Other Minds Festival in Woodside.