Posts by Ken Herman
Chicago’s Kontras Quartet and Malashock Dance: A Smashing Pas de Deux
Chicago’s outstanding Kontras Quartet has returned to San Diego in “High Strung” at the Lyceum Theatre, a stimulating collaboration between Art of Élan and Malashock Dance. In April, 2018, Art of Élan brought noted jazz virtuoso Branford Marsalis and the Kontras Quartet for an exciting concert at the Music Box in Little Italy, so I…
Read MoreCristian Măcelaru Closes the San Diego Symphony Season on a High Note
Cristian Măcelaru returned Friday, May 24, 2019, to lead the San Diego Symphony in its final program of the 2018-2019 season: traditional repertory such as Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8, as well as a new work by the American composer Sean Shepherd.
Read MoreConductor Gemma New’s Impressive Debut with the San Diego Symphony
Gemma New’s impressive debut on the podium of the San Diego Symphony Saturday, May 18, in Copley Symphony Hall made the over programmed Tchaikovsky Fifth Symphony sound fresh and engaging, and Michael Barenboim opened us up to the pleasures of Alexander Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A Minor.
Read MoreStephen Powell’s Star Shines Brightly in San Diego Opera’s “One Amazing Night”
“One Amazing Night,” the San Diego Opera program featuring tenor Stephen Costello, baritone Stephen Powell, and members of the San Diego Symphony, offered a pleasant potpourri of arias, three flashy duets, and a few orchestral interludes Wednesday, May 15, at the Balboa Theatre.
Read MoreArt of Élan: Fine Performance Without Applause–an Idea Whose Time Has Come
Questioning the protocol of concert attendance is rarely undertaken, but Kate Hatmaker, Artistic and Executive Director of Art of Élan, made a brave suggestion before the group’s concert Tuesday, May 7, at the San Diego Museum of Art. She asked the audience not to applaud after each of the seven works on the evening’s program. The result proved astounding.
Read MoreOrganist Chelsea Chen Brings Her Artistry to the San Diego Symphony
Much to the delight of audiences at Copley Symphony Hall this weekend, the San Diego Symphony under Jahja Ling presented concert organist Chelsea Chen in the Poulenc Concerto for Organ, Timpani and String as well as the Saint-Saëns Third “Organ” Symphony.
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