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    Jim Farber

    Jim Farber wrote his first classical music review in 1982 for the Los Angeles Jewish Journal. Since then, he has been a feature writer and critic of classical music, opera, theater, and fine art for The Daily Variety, the Copley Newspapers and News Service, and the Los Angeles Newspaper Group (Media News).

    Articles by this Author

    Opera Review
    May 19, 2013
    A Sublime Marriage of Figaro From L.A. Phil
    BY Jim Farber

    The L.A. Philharmonic presentation of Marriage of Figaro combines dramatic intensity and social commentary with music-making at a level that could only be described as sublime.

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    Feature Article
    Musopen: Will This Site Set Music Free?
    September 25, 2012
    Musopen: Will This Site Set Music Free?
    BY Jim Farber

    Musopen, the Palo Alto–based website, is pioneering the new frontier in classical music starting by creating a free resource of recordings.

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    Artist Spotlight
    Martin Fröst: The Color of Clarinet
    June 6, 2012
    Martin Fröst: The Color of Clarinet
    BY Jim Farber

    Swedish virtuoso Martin Fröst not only swings on the clarinet, he sometimes dances. Plus, he once got to play Benny Goodman’s own licorice stick.

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    Upcoming Concert
    Ojai: In the Merry, Merry Month of June
    May 30, 2012
    Ojai: In the Merry, Merry Month of June
    BY Jim Farber

    Four days of musical pleasures by visiting luminaries await voyagers to the Ojai Music Festival in June.

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    Artist Spotlight
    Kirill Gerstein: Classical Ally to Jazz
    February 8, 2012
    Kirill Gerstein: Classical Ally to Jazz
    BY Jim Farber

    A young Russian-born pianist wins awards, emigrates to the West, concertizes widely, and teaches music at a prestigious school — all in a day’s work.

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    Feature Article
    REDCAT: The Magic Down Below
    February 7, 2012
    REDCAT: The Magic Down Below
    BY Jim Farber

    Los Angeles Philharmonic regulars and visitors might be unaware of it, but the best of L.A.’s adventurous contemporary arts scene is happening right beneath their feet.

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    Opera Review
    January 29, 2012
    Long Beach Opera: Maria de Buenos Aires
    Please Cry For Me, Argentina
    BY Jim Farber

    Long Beach Opera’s politicized version of Astor Piazzolla’s surreal “tango operita,” Maria de Buenos Aires treads a fine line.

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    Artist Spotlight
    Violinist Gil Shaham: Age In the Line of Duty
    October 31, 2011
    Violinist Gil Shaham: Age In the Line of Duty
    BY Jim Farber

    In the top ranks of violinists, he continues to find Bach greatly pleasurable. But he has someone else teach the instrument to his children.

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    Artist Spotlight
    CEO Deborah Borda: Flying High With the L.A. Phil
    October 14, 2011
    CEO Deborah Borda: Flying High With the L.A. Phil
    BY Jim Farber

    L.A. Philharmonic’s president and CEO speaks about grappling with change, securing loyal audiences, and serving the community.

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    Artist Spotlight
    Pianist Yuja Wang: Floating Like a Butterfly
    June 7, 2011
    Pianist Yuja Wang: Floating Like a Butterfly
    BY Jim Farber

    Stardom has come fast for young Yuja Wang, who is learning how to pace herself and seeking a mentor.

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    Artist Spotlight
    Soprano Dawn Upshaw: She's a Survivor and Then Some
    May 23, 2011
    Soprano Dawn Upshaw: She's a Survivor and Then Some
    BY Jim Farber

    The last time Dawn Upshaw appeared at the Ojai Music Festival was in June of 2006. Five years later, and now a cancer survivor, the renowned soprano will reprise her performance there. Here, she talks with SFCV about what makes the Festival unique, teaching at Bard college, and an exciting new collaboration with Peter Sellars.

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    Artist Spotlight
    Peter Oundjian: Conductor For the Field
    May 3, 2011
    Peter Oundjian: Conductor For the Field
    BY Jim Farber

    The violinist-turned-conductor tells of conducting for Karajan, being encouraged by Previn, and having a sports-minded family.

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    Feature Article
    Ojai Music Festival: A Contemporary Music Lover’s Rite of Spring
    April 26, 2011
    Ojai Music Festival: A Contemporary Music Lover’s Rite of Spring
    BY Jim Farber

    Dawn Upshaw and Peter Sellars are collaborating to produce a unique festival that will come to Berkeley, as well. Sellars and Artistic Director Thomas Morris give SFCV the skinny.

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    Artist Spotlight
    No Swan Song for Cellist Gautier Capuçon
    April 11, 2011
    No Swan Song for Cellist Gautier Capuçon
    BY Jim Farber

    The young French artist is well on the rise, performing this week with the S.F. Symphony — and in June playing “live” to hundreds of American theaters with fellow hotshot Gustavo Dudamel.

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    Upcoming Concert
    Leon Fleisher: Relishing His Nine Lives, with Two Hands on the Keyboard
    March 28, 2011
    Chamber Music San Francisco
    Leon Fleisher: Relishing His Nine Lives, with Two Hands on the Keyboard
    BY Jim Farber

    The celebrated pianist essays an all-Schubert recital at three Bay Area venues, with his friend and colleague Jamie Laredo on violin.

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    Feature Article
    Long Beach Opera Goes Where No Opera Company Has Gone Before
    February 1, 2011
    Long Beach Opera Goes Where No Opera Company Has Gone Before
    BY Jim Farber

    Los Angeles correspondent Jim Farber takes a look at an opera company that is at home away from home, and specializes in reinventing the opera experience.

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    Upcoming Concert
    Berkeley Symphony Premieres Du Yun’s <em>Mantichora</em>
    January 11, 2011
    Berkeley Symphony
    Berkeley Symphony Premieres Du Yun’s Mantichora
    BY Jim Farber

    Joana Carneiro conducts the premiere of Mantichora for string orchestra, an exciting piece by Boosey and Hawkes Emerging Composer Du Yun that was commissioned by the Berkeley Symphony.

    More about Berkeley Symphony »
    Upcoming Concert
    L.A. Guitar Quartet’s Freewheeling Style
    January 3, 2011
    San Francisco Performances
    L.A. Guitar Quartet’s Freewheeling Style
    BY Jim Farber

    The guitar has roots in all kinds of music, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet is determined to share them all ... and then some.

    More about San Francisco Performances »

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