Leta Miller's book Music and Politics does what few histories or musicological studies do: offers a lively and entertaining read dealing with San Francisco's history of classical music.
David Ramadanoff's downbeat for the Vallejo Symphony's season-opening concert marks two remarkable, contrasting events: the 80th season for the orchestra of a small city, and a comeback from last year's seemingly terminal money problems.
Levine Injured, Luisi Steps In, Withdraws from SFS Concerts
James Levine's precarious health suffered a new setback over the weekend, and the Metropolitan Opera music director announced on Tuesday that he is withdrawing from fall performances at the Met.
However ambiguous you may feel about the mix of history, hype, (literal) flag-waving, a huge production effort (including a 
