Artist Spotlights

Pianist Dmitri Alexeev discusses the stylistic differences among pianists from the Soviet era versus Russians playing in recent decades.

Maya Beiser, a collaborative artist/cellist/innovator, believes strongly that music can open minds and even change lives, and works toward that end in her many ventures moving from classical to creating something new.

The world-renowned viola da gambist Jordi Savall pleads for the primacy of the artist, to help avert political disaster.

One of the founding fathers of New Age music, Kitaro continues to blur boundaries, and will do so with the Santa Rosa Symphony.

Soyeon Kate Lee readies for a “Pianists in Paris” recital in Menlo/Atherton on Sunday.

New Grammy-winner Osmo Vänskä, no longer with the Minnesota Orchestra, prepares a varied Finnish/Russian concert with the S.F. Symphony.

Canadian baritone Gerald Finley, set to perform the art-defining song cycle Die Winterreise in Berkeley, discusses its many soul-shaking challenges.

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.

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.

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