A thought-provoking concert at Mills College presents startling ways of making sounds and music.

Fine performances fail to lift the music above the pleasantly familiar.

The S.F. Symphony gave a stellar account of a 20th-century masterwork, and Joshua Roman carried Dvorak’s Cello Concerto.

The young violinist plays a thrilling Mendelssohn concerto in perfect synch with the S.F. Symphony

Sometimes concert extras don’t add that much.

Strong new music performed by Splinter Reeds, Kronos Quartet, and Ramon & Jessica’s sextet highlight a solid program.

In one of her final concerts with the ensemble, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg leads a program of NCCO-commissioned works, including a standout composition by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.

The solo cellist presented strong works by Augusta Thomas Read, Missy Mazzoli, Anna Clyne, and Gity Razaz.

Despite four delightful, beautifully performed works, the program left the listener wanting more.