David Bratman

David Bratman is a librarian who lives with his lawfully wedded soprano and a wall full of symphony recordings.

Articles by this Author

Chamber Music Review

October 7, 2012

Ives Quartet Full Court Impress

BY David Bratman

The always-intriguing Ives Quartet plays a quirky Cowell work, an emotionally gritty Smetana, and an ethereal Haydn.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

October 4, 2012

S.F. Symphony: Program and Performance Stand Tall

BY David Bratman

Performance, conducting, and solos impress at the San Francisco Symphony in a program that was intricate, complex, and pulled-off with elegance.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

September 30, 2012

Star Search at the California Symphony

BY David Bratman

The California Symphony tests another guest conductor, Robert Moody, who makes the music flow with a sense of purpose.

Upcoming Concert

October 1, 2012

Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts

Alexander String Quartet

BY David Bratman

On the cusp of its 30th anniversary, the Alexander String Quartet continues its residence at Mondavi with a performance of Schubert’s String Quartet in C Minor, D. 703, “Quartettsatz”; and his String Quartet in A Minor, D. 804, “Rosamunde.”

More about Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts »

Upcoming Concert

October 1, 2012

Ives Collective

Ives Quartet Fall Concert Series

BY David Bratman

The Ives Quartet is a locally based ensemble with a tough-grained and determined style.

More about Ives Collective »

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

September 29, 2012

Ringers, Rhapsody, and Rossini at Symphony Silicon Valley

BY David Bratman

Symphony Silicon Valley capitalizes on its popular appeal with a fine mixed program, with one Rossini ringer.

Season Preview

September 11, 2012

Bay to Bay: The Concert Scene From North to South

BY David Bratman

The Mondavi Center has its usual wide-angle season planned, while the Symphony Silicon Valley is focusing on classics with high-profile soloists. Here are the most exciting concert prospects from San Jose to Sacramento.

Festival Review

August 11, 2012

Menlo Festival: Fun For the Ages

BY David Bratman

Brilliant playing enlivens [email protected]’s final program, in a mix of surprising instrumental combinations, coupled with formidable playing by young performers.

Festival Review

July 29, 2012

Tales From the Heart of Menlo

BY David Bratman

Expressionism and musical storytelling comes to [email protected], via pungent works by Respighi, Herrmann, Caplet, and Stravinsky.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

June 14, 2012

Yuja on Fire at the S.F. Symphony

BY David Bratman

Yuja Wang tore through Rachmaninov's monumental Piano Concerto No. 3 in her most exciting and unbelievable S.F. performance yet.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

June 2, 2012

Shimmering Program at Symphony Silicon Valley

BY David Bratman

Symphony Silicon Valley is in fine fettle under guest conductor William Boughton, with Ning An as the fine piano soloist.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

May 10, 2012

From the Past, a Blast at the S.F. Symphony

BY David Bratman

A robust celebration of San Francisco's early musical days is, to use an old phrase, a hoot and a half.

Feature Article

April 21, 2012

Recordings to Save Classical Music? Cheers to That

BY David Bratman

A Stanford conference on classical music’s recorded legacy suggests possibilities for the future.

CD Review

April 6, 2012

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies No. 1 and No. 6

Nielsen's Invigorating Gem

BY David Bratman

In a sort of meditation on the state of the symphony, Nielsen provides a gem in music.

CD Review

March 26, 2012

Roussel: Le festin de l’araignée; Symphony No. 4

Spider's Feast

BY David Bratman

Colorful stage works by a lesser-known French composer of the ’20s and ’30s are well worth a listen.

Chamber Music Review

March 16, 2012

Myćka’s Mallets Mix It Up in Marimba Bash

BY David Bratman

Katarzyna Myćka marimba joins sonorous strings in a program of unusual quintets.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

February 17, 2012

Reunion of Rich Sounds: SFS and de Waart

BY David Bratman

Its former music director leads the S.F. Symphony in a novel overture, a grand organ symphony, and a little-known Rachmaninov concerto.

CD Review

February 3, 2012

Joyce Yang: Collage

Joyce Yang: Everything Relative

BY David Bratman

The strong-fingered, highly rhythmic, and coolly emotional pianist Joyce Yang chooses a crafty program for her debut disc.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

January 28, 2012

Royal Mix From the Across the Pond

BY David Bratman

The Royal Philharmonic and pianist Thibaudet prove that the Hungarian half of its program can stand respectably next to the traditionally weighty Brahms German half.

CD Review