Early Music/Baroque

A radiant performance of Pergolesi’s masterwork eclipses the balance of the program.

The highlights, including a rare chaconne by Marin Marais, stuck with you.

Flat programming and dull arrangements don’t fulfill the promise of the revered ensemble.

The chamber ensemble played with fire and grace on works from Handel, Bach, and Rameau.

The early music group delves into love, Italian style.

The violinist chats about her early years, the challenges of switching to Baroque music, improvising, and the magic of reawakening a child’s wonder in listeners.

The fortepianist’s improvisations, and the orchestra’s less muscular approach resulted in a Beethoven quite different from the mighty thunderer of legend.

Standout vocal performances and attention to musical details do full justice to Bach’s spiritual masterwork.

First, there was Opera on Tap, now there is “Bach and Brew” a homey little affair coming to a San Francisco brewery in September.

The North American premiere of a 1734 Handel serenata is an interesting glimpse of the composer fulfilling his duties as unofficial court composer. Eyes and ears were on some of the strongly cast soloists.