Rebecca Wishnia

The world-class American violinist put his characteristic stamp on works by Ravel, Schubert, Grieg, and Prokofiev.

The conductor distilled The Ring of the Nibelung at the SF Symphony, and Gautier Capuçon played Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto.

French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet saved the concert during Camille Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 5.

The violinist’s novel interpretations — spotlighted at a March 20 concert — evoked the bold settings the pieces emerged from.

In Palo Alto, the German ensemble showcased the risks and rewards of adventurous chamber music interpretation.

Conductor Manfred Honeck interpolated other music by Mozart to fill out the work left incomplete at the composer’s death.

Star violinist Alexi Kenney brought unusual and unforgettable music together in the Symphony’s black box space.

Guest conductor Jaap van Zweden led the orchestra in convincing interpretations of both composers.

The young ensemble’s “Wildest Dreams” program — Brahms, Bartók, Beach, and Alberga — was thrilling, relentless, and never sedate.

In the Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival, 500 young musicians across five orchestras are tackling difficult repertoire to participate in the concert celebration.