Artist Spotlights

Lisa Houston - January 24, 2014

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein discusses her penchant for performing Bach, which she has played since a child, and comparing her style to that of other interpreters.

Lisa Houston - January 13, 2014

Past-mistress of that ancient Chinese stringed instrument the pipa, Wu Man reflects on her unconventional start in music and her long road to the world’s concert stages.

Jason Victor Serinus - January 7, 2014

New songs, classic songs, collaborations — Anne Sofie von Otter craves doing it all, and does so with class.

Jeff Kaliss - December 4, 2013

The Kronos Quartet’s longtime violist reflects on his decades with that distinguished quartet, and on its 40th anniversary performance Sunday in Berkeley.

Jason Victor Serinus - December 3, 2013

Taking advantage of all sorts of singing gigs, from recitals and CDs to dance concerts and opera, is Mischa Bouvier’s main strategy for building a successful career.

Jason Victor Serinus - November 24, 2013

A profoundly moving masterwork is revisited, with fresh eyes and ears and heart, by a revered conductor, in performances in San Francisco.

Tom Jacobs - November 19, 2013

Finding inspiration in history and pop culture, composer Michael Daugherty launches a new work for strings, provoked by Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural style.

Niels Swinkels - November 11, 2013

Marc-André Hamelin is in a series of residencies and starts a tour with the Pacifica Quartet in S.F. Here, he talks about music and the mystery and miracle that is human creativity.

Tom Jacobs - November 6, 2013

When playing Mozart works, pianist Jeremy Denk finds himself fascinated with the boundary he crosses between light and dark, but always follows their beauty and wonder.

Jason Victor Serinus - October 27, 2013

One of America’s finest song composers turned just turned 90, without much fanfare. And that’s the way he prefers it.