Music Articles

Every week, our writers take an in‐depth look at an artist, program or topic of interest to us. Spend some time with this week's classical music feature, or scroll through the extensive SFCV archive for insights in many music topics.

Feature Article
What Charles Ives Heard: A Guide to His Fourth Symphony
January 3, 2018
What Charles Ives Heard: A Guide to His Fourth Symphony
BY Michael Zwiebach

In the best-of-2017 sweepstakes, the San Francisco Symphony’s powerful rendition of Ives’s masterwork was a standout.

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Photo Essay
No <em>Nutcracker</em> Without the Kids: Behind the Scenes at Oakland Ballet
December 19, 2017
No Nutcracker Without the Kids: Behind the Scenes at Oakland Ballet
BY Katharine Dimitruk

SFCV’s photographer captures a cast rehearsal and a school outreach program during Nutcracker season.

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Feature Article
Shameless Promotion of Local Artists: Bay Area Recordings in 2017
December 17, 2017
Shameless Promotion of Local Artists: Bay Area Recordings in 2017
BY Paul Kotapish

Offered without critique, a smorgasbord of recorded music released this year.

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Feature Article
S.F. Opera Sings Its Way Into San Quentin
December 12, 2017
S.F. Opera Sings Its Way Into San Quentin
BY Michael Zwiebach

J'Nai Bridges, Soloman Howard, Andrea Lett, Kearstin Piper Brown, Kenneth Overton, and Ronny Michael Greenberg perform for inmates and staff at San Quentin State Prison.

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Feature Article
SFJAZZ: Commission and Omissions
December 11, 2017
SFJAZZ: Commission and Omissions
BY Andrew Gilbert

Will the leading institution step up to support composers and foster new jazz voices in the Bay Area?

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Feature Article
The Compleat Composer 2017: Musician, Sound Designer, Producer
December 4, 2017
The Compleat Composer 2017: Musician, Sound Designer, Producer
BY Jim Farber

If you’re interested in composing for movies, TV, video games, or anywhere else, it’s no longer enough to fill up a page with notes.

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Feature Article
The SFCV Holiday Music and Event Guide, 2017 (A Little Fa la la la la for Everyone)
November 28, 2017
The SFCV Holiday Music and Event Guide, 2017 (A Little Fa la la la la for Everyone)
BY Michael Zwiebach

The holiday season brings its bounty of Nutcrackers, carols, and a few surprises as well. Here are a few suggestions to launch you on your merry way.

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Photo Essay
School Kids Engage in the Wonder of South African Dance
November 28, 2017
School Kids Engage in the Wonder of South African Dance
BY Paul Kotapish

A Cal Performances program offers students an opportunity to meet South African dancers and learn about Gumboot and Pantsula traditions first-hand. Our photo essay tells the story.

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Feature Article
S.F. Conservatory of Music and SFJAZZ Cultivate the Next Generation of Jazz Musicians
November 27, 2017
S.F. Conservatory of Music and SFJAZZ Cultivate the Next Generation of Jazz Musicians
BY Andrew Gilbert

With a top-notch faculty and wonderful collaboration and performance opportunities, the Conservatory enters the vanguard of jazz education.

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Feature Article
Impresarios of Exactitude: The Chamber Music Odyssey of David Finckel and Wu Han (Part 2)
November 27, 2017
Impresarios of Exactitude: The Chamber Music Odyssey of David Finckel and Wu Han (Part 2)
BY Mark MacNamara

They keep their artistic engines running while overseeing thousands of small details from multiple projects around the world. Here’s part two of a look inside their empire.

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