United States Bach/Tepfer: Dan Tepfer (piano), presented by San Francsico Performances, SFJAZZ Center, Miner Auditorium, San Francisco. 11.8.2014 (HS)
Harvey Steiman
From Mozart’s Delicacy to Ravel’s Extravagance
United States Liszt, Mozart, Ravel: Gil Shaham (violin), San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor), Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco. 11.7.2014 (HS)
Rarely Heard Rossini Gets Superb Treatment from Soloists, WNO and Rizzi.
United Kingdom Gioachino Rossini, Mosé in Egitto: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera/Carlo Rizzi (conductor), Venue Cymru (North Wales Theatre), Llandudno, 25.10. 2014. (RJF)
A Witty, Colorful, Extravagant Partenope
United StatesHandel, Partenope: Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus of San Francisco Opera, Julian Wachner (conductor), War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. 24.10.2014 (HS)
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)