Artist Spotlights

Celebrating her 20th year at the helm of the Cabrillo Music Festival, Marin Alsop reflects on changes she’s instituted and going outside her comfort zone for new works.

Lara St. John thinks it’s cool to win a Juno, fun to play with her polka band, and great to play duets with her violist brother.

The multifaceted Joe Lovano swings his various saxes at festivals around the world, including upcoming gigs in Carmel and at Stanford.

He directs a chamber group, teaches, and plays like mad, but mostly clarinetist David Shifrin worships Brahms.

The prizewinning pianist plays his favorite Brahms works at Music@Menlo. Here he reflects on touring and performing with his wife.

A member of the progressive string quartet amplifies the group’s mission, methods, and music.

The celebrated composer/singer/producer keeps alive his legacy of hits, and talks about how Hurricane Katrina made him change course.

The Dutch recorder virtuoso preps for a visit to the Bay Area, for a Baroque workshop with concerts and master classes.

The superb Wagnerian soprano talks about her early training, developing a big voice, and loving those bad-boy Siegfrieds.

The violist talks about her life touring with the Takács Quartet, teaching, and what she misses about playing with the San Francisco Symphony, which she did for three decades.