Chamber Music

The Cypress String Quartet is bringing in renowned cellist Gary Hoffman to help them play Schubert's masterpiece, the String Quintet in C Major.

In recital at Old First Concerts this weekend, cellist Robert Howard (San Francisco Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque) and his duo partner Elizabeth Dorman offer a variety of interesting music beginning with one of my personal faves, Toru Takemitsu (Orion).

It was well worth the wait, to hear the Pražák Quartet’s fleet take on the Borodin Second Quartet.

Philip Glass has got a pick-up band of all stars ready for his inaugural Days and Nights Festival in Carmel Valley. The first weekend features Glass' compositions paired with works by Franz Schubert and Dmitri Shostakovich. Personally, if forced to pick one, I'd opt for Saturday night at Hidden Valley, with Glass' String Quartet No. 5 paired with Schubert's evergreen Piano Trio in B-Flat, D. 898.

If you're wondering about the increasing coverage of jazz in the virtual pages of SFCV – more on this later – it's because jazz is classical music (not just America's classical music). Think about it: long-form instrumental pieces with lots of harmonic and rhythmic complexity (some of that derived from those European dead white males); small, niche market of enthusiasts; a repertoire of bedrock, classic pieces, which musicians reinterpret over and over again; casual listeners may find it “difficult”. What am I describing, traditional classical or traditional jazz?

If you like the breath of fresh air provided by Pamela and Amy X Neuburg, then you'll want to check in to the Room at the Royce Gallery to hear Los Angeles' Robin Cox Ensemble.

Elliott Sharp brings his interest in modified instruments like "guitarbass," an instrument that was built especially for him, to Meridian Gallery

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

If your week will be made by a really fine performance of a Brandenburg Concerto, as well as music by other German luminaries like Telemann and Handel, then Cal Performances is the place to be on Friday.

Though you won't be invited on to the dance floor, if you take in the Gold Coast Players' Rhythm and Shoes concert, you'll at least hear a stylistically varied program that's all about the power of movement and dance