Thomas Busse

Near-perfect vocalism and fine instrumental performances mark Musica Pacifica’s concert of French Baroque works.

Volti continues to uncover excellent new music, but its performances, especially of a Britten classic, show that the chorus has room to grow.

Taking its inspiration from Italian Baroque music published in London, the string band Archetti serves up balanced, intriguing fare.

Philip Glass’ score for La Belle et la bête was a missed opportunity for retouching, though San Francisco Performances’ production was well-done.

In its free concert of semistaged works, S.F. Chamber Orchestra provides a platform for younger singers to strut their stuff in works both old and fresh.

In performing Bach, Buxtehude, and Telemann, newcomer Marin Baroque faces uphill battles of insufficient vocal musicianship.

In a wildly entertaining, beautifully played program, the virtuosic early-music group Cançonièr brings to life one of the medieval period’s stranger social phenomena.

At an S.F. Contemporary Music Players’ concert, Steve Reich’s music became the sum of its electronic amplifiers, rather than its parts. Is there a way to tame this problem?

Walnut Creek’s California Symphony tries out a potential leader in Sean Newhouse, with two classics and a New Agey filler.

The early-music quartet Musica Pacifica scored a seasonal concert hit with smart arrangements and excellent contributions from soprano Clara Rottsolk.