Classical Music Reviews

Every week, our professional critics attend concerts throughout the Bay Area to let you know what went well...and occasionally what didn't. Let their insights enrich your musical experiences, and feel free to share your own views!

Choral Review
April 20, 2019
Volti Turns the Page on 40 Years With a New Recording
BY Don Kaplan

The choral group makes new music easy to listen to.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 19, 2019
Simone Young Commands a Colorful Telling of Scheherazade With the S.F. Symphony
BY Steven Winn

Concertmaster Alexander Barantschik shines brightest in a bevy of glittering soloists.

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Jazz Review
April 16, 2019
Kurt Rosenwinkel Sets a High Bar With the Standards Trio
BY Andrew Gilbert

The influential guitarist’s trio plays new interpretations of the American Songbook and canonical jazz tunes.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 16, 2019
Esa-Pekka Salonen Explores Stravinsky’s Late-Period Sacred Works
BY Richard S. Ginell

Salonen’s “Faith” concert with the LA Phil celebrates the vitality of the composer’s final years.

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Modern Classical Review
April 16, 2019
Jacaranda Shuffles Off to Buffalo
BY Jim Farber

The Santa Monica series focuses on a musical crossroads.

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Early Music/Baroque Review
April 16, 2019
Philharmonia Baroque’s Saul Is Profoundly Moving
BY Steven Winn

Nicholas McGegan's deft hand crafted a near-perfect rendition of Handel’s sacred drama.

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Recital Review
April 16, 2019
Dynamite Guitar Maestros Reveal Finely Honed Chops on Exquisite Axes
BY Jeff Kaliss

S.F. Conservatory of Music instructors strut their fretted stuff in a concert ranging from the Baroque to jazz and back.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 15, 2019
Boreyko and S.F. Symphony Redeem Zemlinsky’s “Little Mermaid”
BY David Bratman

Guest conductor Andrey Boreyko leads the orchestra in a disciplined reading of a storied tone poem.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review
April 13, 2019
The American Composers Orchestra Takes a Magic Carpet Ride
BY Brin Solomon

A striking premiere from Du Yun and Khaled Jarrar headlines the concert at Carnegie Hall.

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Modern Classical Review
April 13, 2019
MicroFest Records Hosts a Well-Tempered Party at Monk Space
BY Tamzin Elliott

New-music composers focus on the “notes between notes” played on everything from microtonal guitar to full-blown gamelan orchestra.

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