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    Steve Osborn

    Steve Osborn, a medical writer and editor by day, moonlights as a violist, singer, and music critic.

    Articles by this Author

    Chamber Music Review
    August 22, 2017
    Bouncing Between Baroque and Contemporary at Music in the Vineyards
    BY Steve Osborn

    New music and old mixed together in a concert that showed how a balanced playlist can refresh the ears.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    March 28, 2017
    Santa Rosa Symphony Stays Close to Home
    BY Steve Osborn

    First chairs take the limelight in a program featuring string soloists.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    November 8, 2016
    Orion Weiss Takes Bartók at the Speed of Light
    BY Steve Osborn

    The pianist’s lightning-fast concerto was just one highlight in a solid program from the Santa Rosa Symphony.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    January 12, 2016
    Pure Gold from Caroline Goulding and Santa Rosa Symphony
    BY Steve Osborn

    A star turn by a young violinist, and strong conducting from guest Mei-Ann Chen started the new year off right in at Weill Hall.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    December 14, 2015
    A Watchful Pacifica Quartet Shows What Great Ensemble Work Takes
    BY Steve Osborn

    The Pacifica Quartet communicate so strongly during a performance, they’re as engaging as the music.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    October 13, 2015
    Piano Duo Syncs With Santa Rosa Symphony in Concertos
    BY Steve Osborn

    Christina and Michelle Naughton were the highlight of the orchestra’s October concert set.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    May 5, 2015
    Santa Rosa Symphony Masters Mahler’s Third
    BY Steve Osborn

    Mahler’s Third Symphony is a long haul, but the Santa Rosa Symphony was in it to win it.

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    Recital Review
    March 30, 2015
    Faster than a Speeding Bullet
    BY Steve Osborn

    Gil Shaham may play the violin at superhuman speeds, but his performance of Bach's complete sonatas and partitas lost a lot in translation.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    February 9, 2015
    Bandoneón and Orchestra Partner Uneasily in New Concerto
    BY Steve Osborn

    Star Argentine bandoneónist J.P. Jofre played brilliantly in a world premiere by UC Davis composer Pablo Ortiz.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    January 12, 2015
    Mark O’Connor & the Santa Rosa Symphony: Americana with a Flashing Bow
    BY Steve Osborn

    The violinist's bravura playing dominated the concert, but it was Copland who triumphed, musically.

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    Recital Review
    October 25, 2014
    Joshua Bell Strads in Santa Rosa
    BY Steve Osborn

    Joshua Bell and Alessio Bax play a concert in Santa Rosa to great effect despite a change of venue.

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    Festival Review
    August 8, 2014
    Uber Violists at Music in the Vineyards
    BY Steve Osborn

    A Music in the Vineyards concert at Silverado Vineyards showcases the viola to great effect.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    August 2, 2014
    Infectious Energy of the National Youth Orchestra
    BY Steve Osborn

    The impressive National Youth Orchestra rings out with joy and conviction in Weill Hall.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    May 22, 2014
    Benefit for Children, Boon for Music Lovers
    BY Steve Osborn

    The Santa Rosa Symphony,with piano soloist Jeffrey Kahane and conductor Bruno Ferrandis, performed a benefit concert in honor of more than 20,000 children served by the Symphony's extensive outreach efforts.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    February 16, 2014
    Shining the Light on the Vikings at Santa Rosa Symphony
    BY Steve Osborn

    A fuller than usual crowd gathered for the Santa Rosa Symphony concert on Sunday afternoon. One reason may have been the "Sons of the Fjord" program.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    December 7, 2013
    Bernstein, Brandes, and an Inspiring Mass From Santa Rosa Symphony
    BY Steve Osborn

    An inspiring performance of Haydn’s Mass in Time of War is paired with some serious L. Bernstein and light L. Mozart.

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    Recital Review
    September 21, 2013
    Itzhak Perlman: High Voltage Virtuoso
    BY Steve Osborn

    In concert, Itzhak Perlman's playing puts amplification concerns to rest, proving he would be just as beguiling on an electric violin as on a Stradivarius.

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    Festival Review
    August 24, 2013
    Music through Rosé-colored Glasses
    BY Steve Osborn

    At a Napa Valley vineyard, a thirsty audience laps up a liquescent recital, with one hilarious interlude.

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    Festival Review
    August 14, 2013
    Barreled Over: Pure Delight at Music In the Vineyards
    BY Steve Osborn

    A performance by  the Ortelius Trio — Joshua Roman, Dale Barltrop, and Victor Asuncion — at Markham Vineyards is distinct, memorable, and completely delightful, aided by impeccable acoustics.

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    Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
    May 11, 2013
    A Perfect 10 for the Tenth
    BY Steve Osborn

    The Santa Rosa Symphony, with guest pianist Olga Kern, parade Russian classics in a resounding season-capper.

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