Early Music/Baroque

The Bay Area is so awash in great early music players, that when San Francisco Early Music Society decided to feature more local groups on their programming, it opened itself to more diversity than probably anyone but the local HIP community knew was out there.

Last year’s performance of J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion by the American Bach Soloists was predictably one of the highlights of the spring season.

Under the baton of an acclaimed guest conductor, Philharmonia Baroque offers a joyful program of Christmas cheer.

Magen Solomon’s San Francisco Choral Artists, having justreceived a favorable review in Fanfare for their recent With Strings Attached CD, should makeanyone’s shortlist of choral concerts to attend.

A good community choir singing masterworks of Renaissance polyphony gets a passing grade and an A+ for effort.

This is music that we’re used to hearing from the Bay Area’s
old hands, so it will be interesting to hear the NextGen interpretations.

Star violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock, in flight, doesn’t alight anywhere until she’s done, and she generally dazzles you before she deigns to perch on the smallest twig.

You probably haven't heard the music on these two CDs, but the high quality of the compositions and the playing will make you sit up and pay attention.

Tanya Tomkins takes her sweet time on a new Bach disc, revealing a wealth of musical wisdom.

The upcoming Philharmonia Baroque concerts unexpectedly celebrate the friendship of two singers.