Artist Spotlights

Jessica Rivera: Singing From the Soul

Jason Victor Serinus - February 9, 2010
Soprano Jessica Rivera first made her mark internationally when she created the character Kumudha in Peter Sellars’ production of John Adams’ opera A Flowering Tree. After repeating the role in the San Francisco Symphony’s Bay Area premiere, her success helped land her the role of Kitty Oppenheimer in the European debut of Sellars’ production of Adams’ Doctor Atomic.

Cellist Joshua Roman: Going Fast Uphill

Marianne Lipanovich - February 8, 2010
Cellist Joshua Roman has been making a name for himself since he won the position of principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony in 2006 at age 22.
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Artist Spotlight

Midori as Musical Ambassador

Lisa Petrie - February 2, 2010
Few artists have had the kind of impact on the world at large as violinist Midori’s. Almost 30 years after her famous debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 11, Midori champions music as the message of peace in her fight for social justice and environmental sustainability.

Vadim Gluzman: Have Fiddle, Will Travel

Jason Victor Serinus - January 26, 2010
Few concertgoers who heard it will forget violinist Vadim Gluzman’s San Francisco Symphony debut in May 2008. Performing Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No.

Yo-Yo Ma: Ready for the Fire

Marianne Lipanovich - January 18, 2010
Some classical musicians are stars within the genre. Others have become known outside the classical field. And then there’s Yo-Yo Ma.

Play It Again, Steve Reich

Jeff Kaliss - January 11, 2010
In the middle of an extended weekend’s showcase by Stanford Lively Arts, composer Steve Reich sat down in a hotel lobby to talk about his five decades of exploration in the musical outback.

Cellist Steven Isserlis Celebrates Schumann

Georgia Rowe - January 5, 2010
Acclaimed for his “physical, sensual relationship” with his instrument, British cellist Steven Isserlis is an artist who combines brilliant technique with innate feeling.

Garrick Ohlsson: The Occidental Pianist

Lisa Petrie - December 22, 2009

Garrick Ohlsson talks about performing as a musician from the West, dining out in San Francisco, performance rituals, and reviews.

Jeffrey Thomas: How to Handle a Masterwork

Lisa Houston - December 16, 2009

Jeffrey Thomas is preparing American Bach Soloists for their two performances of Handel’s Messiah at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral this weekend. He is also writing a book on Handel’s masterpiece, leading the ABS into new educational territories (including a summer training program), and finding time to create the occasional chilled-avocado and seafood soup.

Pianist Marc-André Hamelin: Merely Making Music

Lisa Petrie - December 8, 2009

Canadian-born pianist Marc-André Hamelin is recognized as one of the top talents in the concert hall today. He’s a champion of both undiscovered and standard piano repertoire, he’s prolific in the recording studio, and he’ll see his first published composition released next fall.