SFCV Latest News

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:36:36 +0000

• Peninsula Teen Strums His Way to Carnegie Hall
• School of Arts Goes Global
• The Pied Piper of Culture

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:30:09 +0000

A significant Baroque ensemble tops its 20th anniversary season with Monteverdi’s music on love and war.

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:25:52 +0000

A young Russian-born pianist wins awards, emigrates to the West, concertizes widely, and teaches music at a prestigious school — all in a day’s work.

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:17:21 +0000

Los Angeles Philharmonic regulars and visitors might be unaware of it, but the best of L.A.’s adventurous contemporary arts scene is happening right beneath their feet.

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:17:26 +0000

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:16:52 +0000

The new music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, headed for performances in San Francisco, reflects on music’s ability to connect people and build the culture.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:41:49 +0000

Music@Menlo’s winter series gets a French twist, with a wind quintet imported from Lincoln Center.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:27:34 +0000

Composite rhythms in a challenging program highlight a string quartet’s recital in an intimate art gallery.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:54:17 +0000

Massive choral forces perform a 16th-century Italian Mass, to splendid effect.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:23:23 +0000

In a stunning performance, a new song cycle is born, capturing episodes from the life of a French sculptor.

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:35:54 +0000

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

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:28:56 +0000

The drummers of TAO bring a modern flair to the ancient art form, drawing on the diverse backgrounds of its performers.

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:20:30 +0000

Herbert Blomstedt leads the Symphony in what many believe is his signature piece, Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony.

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:37:30 +0000

The strong-fingered, highly rhythmic, and coolly emotional pianist Joyce Yang chooses a crafty program for her debut disc.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:11:16 +0000

If you ever wondered how today’s symphonies contrast with those of a century ago, a trip to the Marin Symphony to hear Alasdair Neal conduct the orchestra would have been enlightening.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:51:00 +0000

• Concerto Competitors Showcase Winning Ways
• Opera As Anti-Bullying Empowerment
• A Harvest of Folk Fun

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:10:41 +0000

The mandolin-centered Luna Nova Quartet draws in listeners, with its unique sound and memories evoked of the instrument in many film scores.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:24:24 +0000

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:01:20 +0000

Faced with the retirement of one famous conductor, the Chicago Symphony went courting and landed its man.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:27:05 +0000

Long Beach Opera’s politicized version of Astor Piazzolla’s surreal “tango operita,” Maria de Buenos Aires treads a fine line.

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:53:41 +0000

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

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:57:41 +0000

An array of instrumental music, from delightful to incredible, make for an English feast, whipped up by a top guest-chef.

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:54:19 +0000

Dreamlike reveries contrast with straightforward neoromanticism in the Berkeley Symphony’s programming of French and Russian composers.

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:07:13 +0000

The Royal Philharmonic and pianist Thibaudet prove that the Hungarian half of its program can stand respectably next to the traditionally weighty Brahms German half.

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:47:18 +0000

An esteemed European guitarist is cheered to the rafters in his second Bay Area recital.

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:43:03 +0000

Fresh from a European tour, the Kronos Quartet hosts a pair of Bay Area presentations of the tantalizing music of Azerbaijan, along with fascinating new additions to their repertoire.

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:23:57 +0000

The revered arts and culture of several Asian countries are celebrated in a festival at Stanford, now in its eighth year.

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:40:36 +0000

Arts organizations serving their broad constituencies need to fight for — and celebrate — victories in government funding.

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:50:43 +0000

• Cellist as Social Connector
• New Adventure Rolls in From Seattle
• Kid Choristers Around the World in Song

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:17:24 +0000

A renowned Norwegian pianist finds home even on his frequent tours, and values the intimacy of smaller concert halls.

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:15:36 +0000

A fascinating, rarely heard Czech symphony by Josef Suk meditates on death, and is well worth a hearing.

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:16:16 +0000

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:59:24 +0000

The dynamic piano duo Anderson and Roe covers the classics, and brings new life to popular works of today from various genres.

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:23:50 +0000

Score one for the California Symphony and cello soloist Joshua Roman, who displays major talent.

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:21:45 +0000

Revisiting his former home podium, a noted conductor and pianist connects wonderfully with colleagues in familiar and not-so-familiar music.

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:29:07 +0000

The Gondoliers presented by the Lamplighters offers a delightfully silly plot by G&S, and a happy ending, carried on the wings of captivating music, some worthy of Puccini.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:24:49 +0000

Two dazzling women — a pianist, a flamenco singer — infused a San Francisco Symphony matinee with a vivacity that thrilled listeners.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:04:53 +0000

An outstanding British baritone, blessed with a brilliant accompanist, takes listeners on an atmospheric cruise, with memorable highlights along the way.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:13:29 +0000

Benjamin Simon and the S.F. Chamber Orchestra delight in collaborating with youth ensembles such as the gifted Piedmont Choir.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:25:59 +0000

There’s something for everyone in the music on a new two-CD set that explores a hidden (and openly honest) side of Shostakovich: his movie scoring.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:00:07 +0000

A Bay Area ensemble performs a reduced-forces version of a classic American novel, set in opera form by John Harbison.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:14:16 +0000

Ensemble Parallèle presents the world premiere of Jacques Desjardins’ chamber orchestration of John Harbison’s The Great Gatsby

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:57:19 +0000

• Hugs and High-Fives for Local Grammy Guy
• Heart-Opening JAMband
• Salsa Staying Power

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:22:06 +0000

Listening to Mozart won’t make you smarter. Music training, though, appears to enhance language skills, according to recently reported studies.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:52:13 +0000

A voluble, wide-ranging San Francisco opera composer discusses the premiere of his song cycle portraying a French artistic genius.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:30:16 +0000

Composer Jake Heggie and Librettist Terrence McNally team up to create Great Scott, an opera referencing bel canto works of yore, which The Dallas Opera will premiere three seasons hence.

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:00:42 +0000

The San Francisco Opera is in a better position financially than previously reported, and the lineup for the upcoming season is impressive.

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:15:20 +0000

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:13:59 +0000

A great conductor approaches 30 years in his ongoing love affair with his former symphony, leading two programs in February.

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:42:07 +0000

A much-lauded quartet soldiers on with two substitute players, due to a birth in the string family.

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:52:36 +0000

A recital by Susan Graham presented by Cal Performances offered a host of effortlessly produced sounds so healthy, warm, and filled with beauty that it was tempting to fantasize that life was equally sweet and uncomplicated.

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:25:06 +0000

A semistaged production of Debussy's Martyr offered transporting performances, retaining spectacular elements of the original work, while emphasizing its beautiful music and religious mystery.

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:51:12 +0000

From butterflies to specters, an esteemed pianist’s rendition of Schumann remains fitfully two-dimensional, respectable but too tame.

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:39:01 +0000

A cappella voices sing of darkness and introspection, in a rare appearance at Stanford University.

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:32:36 +0000

• Local Teen Earns National Recognition
• Technology Brings World Music Home
• Singing on the Other Side of the World

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:51:15 +0000

2011 wasn’t a great year for Congress or the San Francisco Giants, but a tremendous year for opera, as these recordings testify. There wasn’t room to include all the contenders.

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:14:37 +0000

Keeping busy as violinist, violist, conductor, and teacher, 63-year-old Pinchas Zukerman has plenty to say about what he’s learned ... and what’s to come.

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:28:30 +0000

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:42:05 +0000

A consistently fresh ensemble from Europe explores the highways and byways of early music, including those leading to several composers of the Galante style.

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:35:20 +0000

Magi, rituals of Twelfth Night, and an engaging repertoire highlight a concert by the enthusiastic members of Coro Hispano.

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:16:37 +0000

A Grammy-nominated pianist reflects on her youthful exposure to great festival music, her recent tours, and her venturesome repertoire.

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:30:21 +0000

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

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:00:35 +0000

A pleasant outing to the Symphony provides ranges from wild to superb and back again, with music that sweeps S.F. audiences to their feet.

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:37:48 +0000

After half a year of mystery and doubt, the company's executive director begins to clarify the direction the company will take, its new partnership with American Ballet Theatre, and the season it will present.

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:46:26 +0000

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.

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:36:12 +0000

The third annual Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival is coming to Davies Symphony Hall.

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:32:23 +0000

• Latin Jazz Youth Jams for Music Ed
• SingFest! So Much Fun
• Walden Wins Again

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:25:45 +0000

Youthful winners of an artists’ competition take to their instruments at the Mondavi Center in Davis.

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:46:17 +0000

The small but powerful S.F. Chamber Orchestra brings the virtues of midperiod Beethoven to top of mind.

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:06:48 +0000

Top soprano Angela Gheorghiu records a homage album, while EMI repackages Callas's recorded legacy yet again — this time with a new twist.

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:24:31 +0000

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:04:15 +0000

The Bay Area is replete with great vocalists and opera opportunities this winter and next spring. Here’s how to make the most of them.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:50:11 +0000

Lovers of orchestral music are in for something special, even historic, in the spring season. If you can’t spend everything on tickets, let SFCV guide you to the best of the best.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:48:29 +0000

Product of a difficult birth — of great effort, difficult fundraising, delays, and mounting costs — Sonoma State University's Donald & Maureen Green Music Center is finally reality; a splendid one.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:40:23 +0000

The artistry of the 20th century’s greatest diva is again in the spotlight, in the wake of a new tribute album and more re-releases of her recorded legacy. In this persuasive summary of Callas’ impact, both the legend and the reality are analyzed.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:28:05 +0000

It would take something much larger than a recession to stop great chamber music ensembles from performing in the Bay Area. Below are a few of the best recitals to come in the next few months.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:03:48 +0000

Good times alert: Here are a few, not-too-expensive concerts that everybody in the family might enjoy.