SFCV RSS Feed Integration

When considering this well-performed recording, don’t place too much significance in its title. Geographically, historically, and stylistically, the five compositions are stretched so far that they defy any programmatic theme, though the Germans may have bought into the cutesy, New World concept more quickly than those of us who actually live here.

Violist Kazuhide Isomura, founding member of the Tokyo String Quartet, talks about his obsession with string quartet literature, becoming more spontaneous over the years, and rehearsing in different languages.

From almost the moment that guest conductor Christoph Eschenbach struck up Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 with the San Francisco Symphony last Wednesday, it was clear that this was going to be a Brahms of the bright colors. It was set against a lovely recent French work by Marc-André Dalbavie.

The Young People's Symphony Orchestra concludes their season with the always-surprising concerto competition winners.

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony and Chorus champion the “new” once again. In concerts May 19-23, they tackle a monumental, relatively obscure choral work by Stravinsky, while introducing the brilliant talents of EXAUDI, guest vocal soloists from the U.K.

Andrew McKenna Lee has always been drawn to the sort of "rolling polyphony" of the classical guitar. For his Old First Concerts recital here on May 21, Lee will span the guitar repertoire, from Scarlatti to Milhaud, and he’ll showcase his own physically demanding and aurally dynamic Five Refractions of a Prelude by Bach. 

Guest conductor Christoph Eschenbach lit flames in two symphonies with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Hall on Saturday evening. Whether he was conducting a familiar warhorse or a rarity Eschenbach made them sear.

Bach’s great Passion According to Saint John was given eloquent voice by the California Bach Society Sunday afternoon at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley. The Passion — the story of the end of Jesus’ life — is operatic, in the sense of combining narrative and commentary.