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Steve Osborn

Steve Osborn, a children's writer by day, moonlights as a violist and music critic.

Articles by this Author

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
October 8, 2018
Lecce-Chong Proves His Mettle With Santa Rosa Symphony
BY Steve Osborn

The new conductor tackles Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with precision and exemplary technique.

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Chamber Music Review
October 2, 2018
Brentano Quartet Squares Up to Bartók
BY Steve Osborn

The quartet is at their best with challenging repertory at the Green Music Center.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
May 8, 2018
Ferrandis Bids Farewell with Mahler’s Last Symphony
BY Steve Osborn

The Santa Rosa Symphony’s music director bows out with a strong reading of Mahler’s epic Ninth.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 10, 2018
It's All About the Voice at Santa Rosa Symphony
BY Steve Osborn

Prokofiev's cantata Alexander Nevsky wowed, beyond John Adams's The Dharma at Big Sur.

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Recital Review
March 5, 2018
Anne-Sophie Mutter Soars with Penderecki Sonata
BY Steve Osborn

The violinist closes her Green Center concert with an unexpected twist.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
February 13, 2018
Michael Christie Takes the Santa Rosa Symphony on an “All-American” Ride
BY Steve Osborn

The fifth contender for conductor position shows his style in a program featuring Bernstein’s score for On the Waterfront.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
December 5, 2017
Andrew Grams Finds His Groove With the Santa Rosa Symphony in Rachmaninoff
BY Steve Osborn

Pianist Stewart Goodyear dazzles in Ravel’s Piano Concerto.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
November 7, 2017
Mei-Ann Chen Raises the Bar for Santa Rosa Symphony Conducting Post
BY Steve Osborn

Chen is the second candidate in the orchestra’s music-director search and showed many strengths in her weekend set.

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Chamber Music Review
October 31, 2017
Miró Quartet and Jeffrey Kahane Provide Musical Relief for Fire-Ravaged Sonoma County
BY Steve Osborn

The pianist with deep ties to the county and the string quartet brought music back to the Green Music Center.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
October 10, 2017
Conductor Playoffs Begin in Santa Rosa
BY Steve Osborn

Contender Francesco Lecce-Chong acquits himself best on sprightly material from Bates and Beethoven.

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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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