Reviews

The Sixth International Body Music Festival moved its sonic rhythm party from Oakland to S.F., as its energetic performers tapped, swished, and Velcroed their way across a SFJAZZ Center stage to an enthusiastic audience.

Oakland East Bay Symphony, with Canadian soprano Othalie Graham, gave a stirring account of Wagner’s Immolation Scene, in a season opener that aimed high.

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

Not up to speed on chip-music yet? Brooklyn-based Yarn/Wire ensemble gave Sacramento new music audiences an intro course, via Tristan Perich’s Chalk.

A new CD from Kevin Puts features extremely interesting and inventive choral writing, but save the liner notes for after your first listen.

The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, under its venerable yet still commanding Principal Conductor Neeme Järvi, played at a full strength of about 70 musicians at Bing Hall.

The S.F. Symphony screened Hitchcock's Vertigo; the restored film was projected in color as the Symphony, conducted by Joshua Gersen, performed the live world premiere of Hermann's score.

The Katona Twins Guitar Duo highlighted both the popular and classical roots of the guitar in an unusual and distinctive recital.

The Butterfly Lovers, distinctively Chinese by design and beautiful to look at, reveals the strengths and weaknesses inherent in this east/west mash-up.

The Silk Road Ensemble continues to explore multicultural artistic expression, but on occasion it falters with uninspired trifles.