Steve Osborn

Steve Osborn, a children's writer by day, moonlights as a violist and music critic.

Articles By This Author

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Review

Dance of the Blessed Violinist

Steve Osborn - February 1, 2010
After all the passion of Mozart’s Requiem and the fire of Brahms’ violin concerto, the signature moment of Sunday’s Marin Symphony concert arrived during the encore, Gluck’s Dance of the Blessed Spirits. Violin soloist Vadim Gluzman played the brief interlude to perfection, barely raising his volume above a whisper, the better to demonstrate his absolute command of dynamics and phrasing.
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Review

We Have Ignition

Steve Osborn - December 7, 2009
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony has been played repeatedly in Sonoma County during the past decade, beginning with a memorable performance by the Santa Rosa Symphony under Jeffrey Kahane in the aftermath of 9/11. That event was so successful that several other renditions followed, including one in the Sonoma State University gym.
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Review

What Dvořák Knew

Steve Osborn - November 8, 2009
On reading the score of Antonín Dvořák’s magnificent Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, Dvořák's mentor Brahms is reputed to have said, “Why on earth didn’t I know that one could write a cello concerto like this?
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Review

Turanga-lite

Steve Osborn - May 18, 2009
Olivier Messiaen’s 10-movement Turangalîla-Symphonie is rarely performed because of its length (about an hour and a quarter) and its unusual instrumentation (the score calls for ondes martenot, vibraphone, and glockenspiel, among many other instruments). The double whammy makes performances of this 20th-century masterpiece hard to find — and fund.
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Review

Suite Smell of Success

Steve Osborn - April 20, 2009
Bruno Ferrandis
A ballet suite is not a symphony, but don’t tell that to Bruno Ferrandis.
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Review

Shifting the Center of Attention

Steve Osborn - February 24, 2009

Symphony programs often resemble three-ring circuses, organized in time rather than space. In the first ring, the symphony offers an overture or similar fare to whet your aural appetite. Then, in the center ring, comes the main attraction, usually a soloist displaying his chops in a concerto or other showpiece.

Well Within the Box

Steve Osborn - January 27, 2009

Before the Santa Rosa Symphony began its concert Saturday, the public-address announcer said there would be a short presentation on behalf of the Youth Orchestra. A tall, red-headed young woman then rose from the concertmaster's chair and offered an exquisite reading of a brief, unidentified Romantic violin solo.

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Review

Sonic Tattoos

Steve Osborn - April 15, 2008
In newspaper ads touting his appearances with the Santa Rosa Symphony, Christopher O’Riley wore a black T-shirt, the better to show off a massive henna tattoo running the length of his arm, right down to the ends of his fingers.