United StatesHandel, Partenope: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus of San Francisco Opera, Julian Wachner (conductor), War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. 24.10.2014 (HS)
A Witty, Colorful, Extravagant Partenope
Harvey Steiman
Quartet Takes an Extra (Jazz) Bass to Bartók
United States Bartók: Calder Quartet (Andrew Bulbrook, Benjamin Jacobson, violins; Jonathan Moerschel, viola; Eric Byers, cello), Christian McBride (string bass), SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco. 24.9.2013 (HS)
Gorgeously Sung ‘Norma’ in Listless Production
United States Bellini, Norma: Soloists, orchestra and chorus of San Francisco Opera, Nicola Luisotti (conductor), War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. 23.9.2014 (HS)
Sondra Radvanovsky (Norma) and Jamie Barton (Adalgisa). ©Cory Weaver/ San Francisco Opera.
Beethoven 9th Triumphs Over Rain
United Kingdom Aspen Music Festival (15): Vladimir Feltsman (piano), Aspen Chamber Orchestra, Jun Märkl (conductor); Susanna Phillips (soprano), Carolyn Sproule (mezzo-soprano), Vinson Cole (tenor), Eric Owens (bass-baritone), Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe (chorus director), Aspen Festival Orchestra, Robert Spano (conductor). Benedict Music Tent, Aspen, Colorado. 15-17.8.2014 (HS)
Lugansky Find’s Prokofiev’s Heart, Impressive Vocals from Phillips and Owens
United States Aspen Music Festival (14): Nikolai Lugansky (piano), Susanna Phillips (soprano), Eric Owens (bass baritone), Robert Spano (piano), Harris Hall, Aspen, Colorado. 12-13.8.2014 (HS)
In Three Concerts, Lugansky, Phillips and Barnatan Provide Star Quality
United States Aspen Music Festival (13): Soloists, Aspen Chamber Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Jane Glover (conductor), Harry Bicket (conductor), James Feddeck (conductor). Benedict Music Tent, Harris Hall, Aspen, Colorado. 8-10.8.2014 (HS)
Sometimes Encores Do the Trick
United States Aspen Music Festival (12): Aspen Percussion Ensemble, Jonathan Haas (conductor); Juho Pohjonen (piano); Aspen Philharmonic, Stefan Jackiw (violin), James Feddeck (conductor); Alisa Weilerstein (cello); Inon Barnatan (piano). Harris Hall, Benedict Music Tent, Aspen, Colorado. 4-7.8.2014 (HS)
Slatkin Beats the Rain with “Alpensinfonie,” All-Spanish with Isbin and Leonard
United States Aspen Music Festival (11): Sarah Chang (violin), Aspen Chamber Orchestra, Hugh Wolff (conductor); Soloists; Sharon Isbin (guitar), Isabel Leonard (mezzo-soprano); Garrick Ohlssen (piano), Aspen Festival Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin (conductor). Benedict Music Tent, Harris Concert Hall. Aspen, Colorado. 1-3.8.2014 (HS)