David Bratman

A lucid performance of Beethoven’s Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp Minor highlights a varied program for the San Jose Chamber Music Society.

Amid their California residency in Berkeley and Orange County, conductor and orchestra shine in symphonies by Schubert and Dvořák.

El amor brujo shares a concert with Camille Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3 featuring soloist Alex Eisenberg.

In a recital for the San Jose Chamber Music Society, members of the former St. Lawrence String Quartet partner with pianist Ilya Yakushev.

The orchestra, under Music Director Eric Kujawsky, gives an impressive performance of the Soviet composer’s daunting Fourth Symphony.

An Argentine-inspired program, with music by Pablo E. Furman and Astor Piazzolla, comes off successfully despite an unexpected podium shuffle.

An “introductory” first half, featuring works by Benjamin Britten and Mason Bates, nicely sets up a Brahms symphony on the second.

An expansive afternoon of chamber music is headlined by the marvelous Viano Quartet.

Guest conductor Earl Lee leads a substantial program of Tchaikovsky, Samuel Barber, and Carlos Simon.

Top-notch period performances by ensembles both large and small make the Carmel Bach Festival worth a weekend trip.