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)
Harvey Steiman
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)
In the Wake of Cancellations, Replacements Carry the Day
United States Aspen Music Festival (10): American Brass Quintet, American String Quartet, Anton Nel (piano), Aspen Philharmonic, Augustin Hadelich (violin), Hannu Lintu (conductor), Soloists from Aspen Opera Theater Center. Benedict Music Tent, Harris Concert Hall, Aspen, Colorado. 28-30.7.2014 (HS)