United Kingdom Various: Branford Marsalis (saxophone), San Francisco Symphony / Thomas Wilkins (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 4.5.2023. (HS)
Branford Marsalis and a jazzy San Francisco Symphony deliver a thrilling concert
Harvey Steiman
J’Nai Bridges and Ulysses Owens Jr. cross over their musical styles in ‘Notes on Hope’, with uneven success
United States Various, ‘Notes on Hope’: J’Nai Bridges (mezzo-soprano), Ulysses Owens Jr. (percussion), Reuben Rogers (string bass), Carol Robbins (harp), Ted Rosenthal (piano), David Rosenthal (guitar), Jalen Baker (vibraphone). San Francisco Performances, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, 28.4.2023. (HS)
Emerson String Quartet sums it up nicely in a farewell performance in San Francisco
United States Various: Emerson String Quartet (Eugene Drucker, Philip Setzer [violins], Lawrence Dutton [viola], Paul Watkins [cello]). San Francisco Performances, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, 14.1.2023. (HS)
Mahan Esfahani goes beyond Bach in a beguiling harpsichord recital in Berkeley
United States Various: Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord). Presented by Cal Performances, Hertz Hall, University of California, Berkeley, 2.4.2023. (HS)
An odd but fascinating olio from Wu Man and the Kronos Quartet
United States Various: Wu Man (pipa), Kronos Quartet / David Harrington, John Sherba (violins), Hank Dutt (viola), Paul Wiancko (cello). Presented by Cal Performances, Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, 1.4.2023. (HS)
Stirring, poignant Mahler Six from Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony
United States Mahler: San Francisco Symphony / Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 31.3.2023. (HS)
William Kentridge’s production of South African opera, Sybil, dazzles in its US premiere in Berkeley
United States Kyle Shepherd, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Waiting for the Sybil: Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Xolisile Bongwana, Ayanda Nhlangothi, Zandile Hlatshwayo, Siphiwe Nkabinde, S’busiso Shozi (voices), Kyle Shepherd (piano). Cal Performances, Zellerbach Auditorium, University of California Berkeley, 19.3.2023. (HS)
Zakir Hussain and friends improvise a delicious 90 minutes of percussion
United States Zakir Hussain’s Masters of Percussion: Zakir Hussain (tabla), Sabir Khan (sārangī, vocals), Tupac Mantilla (percussion), Melissa Hié (djembe, vocals, balafon), Navin Sharma (dholak). Cal Performances, Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, 11.3.2023. (HS)
