The San Diego Symphony went for the best of both worlds Friday (Dec. 7) when they brought in John Williams to guest conduct a program of his own music. Easily the most recognized and acclaimed living film composer, Williams has also established himself as a significant orchestral composer, although acclaim has not yet attached itself to this facet of his persona. Williams’ program divided neatly into familiar excerpts from his beloved film collaborations with Steven Spielberg—“Star Wars,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Schindler’s List,” “Harry Potter,” and the recently released “Lincoln”—and two of his works for cello and orchestra, the Cello Concerto…

When an accomplished musician gives a solo recital, the performer is typically aided by a fine instrument, perhaps an 18th-century violin or cello hand-crafted in Italy or an imposing 9-foot concert grand piano. The performer’s artistry is expressed through an instrument of first-rate craftsmanship. In an intimate solo recital Tuesday (Dec. 4) for the Carlsbad Music Festival, virtuoso percussionist Steven Schick proved he needed no such crutch to enthrall his audience. Give him a single triangle suspended on a stand, or a pair of maracas, or even four cheap flowerpots on a table, and he is Horowitz with drumsticks. A…