Michael Zwiebach

Sometimes it’s good to venture out to the boundaries, find out what’s going on on the wild side of music. The annual Outsound Festival of experimental and improvisational music is as good a time as any to do this exploration. 

A day after their appearance at the America’s Cup stage, the San Francisco Symphony brings some of the same repertoire to a completely free concert in Dolores Park. 

Amid all the fabulous concerts that are part of the Music@Menlo 2013 festival, “Through Bach”, don’t overlook this one, in which Soovin Kim will cut a swath through four centuries of violin repertoire in one astonishing program.

The Turn of the Screw is one of Benjamin Britten’s tautest, most gripping operas. And, unlike much of the repertoire that the local, small-budget companies take on, this chamber opera is conceived on a scale that emphasizes the virtues of West Edge Opera.

In honor of the huge Bach-fest going on in the Bay Area and its neighbor, Carmel, we’ve put together a mixtape of highlights of pieces you’ll be able to hear in live performance over the next month. Consider this mix an intro to Bach’s immense musical imagination.

At the American Bach Soloists’ Festival and Academy, another generation of phenomenal players and singers is learning the fine points of early-music interpretation from some of the best in the business.

America’s midsummer holiday is upon us, and the parades are gearing up. For the thousands who will be retiring to the backyard barbecue after the parade, there’s this playlist, with some of the perennial favorites and a couple of surprises.

You may be firing up the grill and heading out for the fireworks on for the Fourth of July, but do you know what’s up in the Bay Area the rest of the weekend? Here’s a quick guide to the musical events of interest to families.

Gustav Mahler is famous for his nine (and a half) symphonies. Find out more about this birthday boy, who spent a lot of time conducting.