Michelle Dulak Thomson

Brooklyn Rider string quartet plays just fine outside the mainstream, and even co-composes works for itself.

A rare opportunity for connoisseurs and newcomers alike to hear this premier Viennese quartet.

Suddenly, James Ehnes seems to be everywhere, and with good reason.

Is John Adams really a minimalist? Our critic wonders why, in reviewing a recent CD by the San Francisco Symphony.

Two sterling violinists “mess about” with Bach, producing interesting but mixed results.

The Afiara String Quartet balances a lively interest in new works with deep insight into core classical repertoire.

Bay Area chamber music aficionados flock to the Cal Performances concerts of this exceptional ensemble.

A magnificent, fantastically controlled string quartet marches up the mountain with four Shostakovich quartets, plus a heartfelt bonus work.

Joshua Bell with accompanist Jeremy Denk go for the poetry and beauty in Ravel, Franck, and Saint-Saëns.

Star violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock, in flight, doesn’t alight anywhere until she’s done, and she generally dazzles you before she deigns to perch on the smallest twig.