Younis Raza

Summer fun 2009 The Bay Area has grown in stature as its festivals have not only thrived but also multiplied in defiance of a scarcity of donation dollars. And this summer may reach a high-tide mark. Santa Cruz’ Cabrillo Music Festival is the Mecca for those seeking cutting-edge orchestral music, with five full programs over two weekends in August. They will have ten composers-in-residence from around the world, and are planning multiple West Coast and...

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Russian program at Berkeley’s Christian Science Hall The Berkeley Art Center, long a gathering spot for local creativity, hosts concerts and readings along with its varied and sometimes provocative art shows. Marvin Sanders, flutist and director of Live Oak Concerts, runs a...

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Lorin Maazel, whose 65-plus-year career spanned from child prodigy to conductor of the New York Philharmonic, is retiring from that organization at the end of this season. His seven years with them oversaw a host of radio broadcasts, the advent of web video and a commission for the events of 9/11—John Adam’s On the Transmigration of Souls. In addition, he brought a deep musicality and helped develop a signature sound, earning the love of his musicians. Oh, and he even brought them...

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Dawn to twilight—The journey begins The Viennese school and the second Viennese school celebrated orchestral lushness with a lighthearted approach reminiscent of their rich and airy pastries. And there the resemblance ends. Franz Schubert and Alban Berg, the beginning and end of this 100-year trajectory, are explored in four programs by the San Francisco Symphony led by Michael Tilson Thomas, their “Dawn to Twilight” festival....

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Understated yet charming Countertenor Andreas Scholl, lauded on world stages for purity of sound and expressive core, came to UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Auditorium April 26, backed by the 22-member Australian Chamber Orchestra. It was a mutual alliance between a group that brings modernity and energy to period works and a present-day countertenor who has been likened to Senesino, the castrato Händel wrote for. The Australians were led with verve by violinist Richard...

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Powerful work done justice Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, one of the pinnacles of the choral world, is rarely heard due to the huge cast and attendant costs. The Bay Area has been fortunate to have it produced twice recently. Last summer Robert Geary and...

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Categories: music