Reviews

In the first of two Cal Performances recitals, pianist Emmanuel Ax, with mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, gave a wide-ranging account of Brahms’ lieder, accompanied by two world premiere works.

The Marin Symphony’s “American Dream” program, which featured music and Noah Griffin reading King’s stirring words, for results that were excellent and powerful.

A packed house greets the West Edge Opera’s concert performance of Rossini’s early opera, Elizabeth, Queen of England; rarely performed, but well-done here.

Glorious dancing to a seeming musical puzzle is the signature of Random Dance’s Far, the London company seen at Yerba Buena Gardens.

The presentation of a cycle of all 10 of Beethoven’s sonatas for violin and piano is a rare enough treat; on period instruments an even a rarer one.

The Broadway-based chanteuse worked her magic at Bing Concert Hall, in a program that mixed the new and challenging, with nearly forgotten songs from the classic era of American popular song.

For a 40th-anniversary concert the players of the Kronos Quartet took the opportunity to look back at some of the contemporary trends the group has fostered over the years.

In martha & monica’s concert at Old First Church, contemporary composers held their own against heavy hitters from 100 and 200 years ago.

The SFS Chorus impresses with its articulation, crispness, and attention to accent, sharply supervised and judiciously paced by MTT.

The estimable St. Lawrence Quartet gives a fine send-off to a departing violinist, playing an intriguing all-Czech program.