Reviews

Though a mite repetitive, Squid, Inc.’s playful set at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage was full of unconventional pleasures.

The ever-elegant Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra probes some lesser-known composers from the 17th and 18th centuries, to the usual grand effect.

The superb Vienna Philharmonic, with substitute conductor Andris Nelsons, outdoes itself with Mozart, Bruckner and Josef Strauss, even in the acoustically deficient Zellerbach Hall.

The depths of war and the heights of peace are explored in a wide-ranging concert by the vocal ensemble Volti, under Robert Geary’s expert direction.

A joint recital by Leah Crocetto and David Lomelí at Weill Hall offers a golden opportunity to preview what the rest of the opera world can look forward to from the stars.

With some Brant, Prokofiev, and Berlioz, the S.F. Symphony readies its repertory for an extensive European tour.

 A great ensemble visits San Francisco for the first time and leaves listeners swooning.

On four releases: The windswept visuals of the new DVD of Peter Grimes are real on a Britten DVD; plus: three must-hear voices, Olga Peretyatko, Meredith Monk, and Christiane Karg.

In a performance full of musical suspense Yuri Temirkanov and his Saint Petersburg Philharmonic demonstrated that their musical cards are all aces.

The 5-year-old Hot Air Music Festival’s burgeoning abundance was evident in all the music on tap; old and young alike experiencing the unrivaled charge of new music heard live.