Artist Spotlights

A young Russian-born pianist wins awards, emigrates to the West, concertizes widely, and teaches music at a prestigious school — all in a day’s work.

The new music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, headed for performances in San Francisco, reflects on music’s ability to connect people and build the culture.

Fresh from a European tour, the Kronos Quartet hosts a pair of Bay Area presentations of the tantalizing music of Azerbaijan, along with fascinating new additions to their repertoire.

A renowned Norwegian pianist finds home even on his frequent tours, and values the intimacy of smaller concert halls.

A Bay Area ensemble performs a reduced-forces version of a classic American novel, set in opera form by John Harbison.

A voluble, wide-ranging San Francisco opera composer discusses the premiere of his song cycle portraying a French artistic genius.

A great conductor approaches 30 years in his ongoing love affair with his former symphony, leading two programs in February.

Keeping busy as violinist, violist, conductor, and teacher, 63-year-old Pinchas Zukerman has plenty to say about what he’s learned ... and what’s to come.

A Grammy-nominated pianist reflects on her youthful exposure to great festival music, her recent tours, and her venturesome repertoire.

Daniel Pollack has fulfilled endless requests to return to perform in Russia, where he and Van Cliburn triumphed in the first-ever Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, 53 years ago.