Reviews

Provocative as usual, the Del Sol Quartet jumps cultures, continents, and even musical temperaments in its brilliant recital.

The Calder Quartet, with pianist Gloria Cheng, offered a concert that presented contrasts, alternating visions of hell, cryptic smiles, and a program promising doom and gloom ... all of which added up to a positively cathartic experience.

Stunning performances of 13th-century English music are Trio Mediaeval’s latest offering, music so perfectly blended that it almost hurts.

The Tallis Scholars give splendid, well-blended performances of music from the Spanish Renaissance.

The human voice reaches its apogee with Lorraine Hunt Lieberson’s recording of Berlioz and Haydn, accompanied by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.

Castleton Festival Opera’s productions of Albert Herring and The Rape of Lucretia featured some less than stellar vocal performances.

In a picture perfect performance led by Yuri Temirkanov, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic offered a new best and a conductor who continually showcases the musicians.

Steven Blier’s N.Y. latest Festival of Song appearances in S.F., always cause for celebration, is Amores Nuevos — featuring discoveries born of a love affair with Spanish and Latin American song and blessed by the gifts of four Adler Fellows.

“Cows, in Berkeley?” No, but Schubert lieder played by the always adventurous New Century Chamber Orchestra.