Artist Spotlights

The French-born conductor Stéphane Denève takes the S.F. Symphony on a lively international tour with works composed within a few years of each other.

“Cello goddess” Maya Beiser, prepping for a gig at Yoshi’s, uncovers and exploits new ways of pulling sound from her instrument, whatever the genre being played.

Young British phenom Benjamin Grosvenor launches the S.F. Symphony season with demanding Ravel’s Piano Concerto, promising a spellbinding evening. Good thing he has nerves of steel.

New Century Chamber Orchestra brings in a major name in Derek Bermel, their featured composer for the season. He’s a composer worth getting to know in a serious way.

The iconoclastic organist Cameron Carpenter is always ready to tear up concert halls and cathedrals with his vivid interpretations.

Hard to define, easy to admire, the hot trio Time for Three ranges widely in material, performance style, and ambition.

Before her run with the San Francisco Symphony, soprano Elza van den Heever gets candid with SFCV.

The impressively knowledgeable executive director of NCCO is about to turn over the keys to that string-ensemble kingdom to another.

Mezzo Elizabeth DeShong elaborates on her understanding of Madama Butterfly's confidante, as she prepares for her S.F. Opera run in the emotionally powerful role.

Noted for his “reimagining” of works by Mahler and Mozart and their ilk, Uri Caine discusses his Jewish roots, classical improv, and wide-ranging jazz influences.