The Hausmann Quartet Unleashes Humor and Profundity in Haydn

Adjacent to the ticket table at the Hausmann Quartet’s Sunday (September 17) Haydn Voyages concert stood a chalkboard marking the string quartet’s progress: 17.6% of the composer’s 68 string quartets performed thus far. That our local string quartet—Hausmann is in residence at San Diego State University—is serious about traversing Haydn’s complete string quartet repertory and…

Read More

Pianist Conrad Tao Dazzles Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra Opening

The air could not have been more electric in the Balboa Theatre Saturday night (June 10) when the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra offered Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella Suite” under the baton of Music Director Michael Francis and Conrad Tao launched into his exuberant keyboard fusillade that turned into Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 8 . . .

Read More

Jeremy Denk: From Bach to Ragtime, the Master!

By the time pianist Jeremy Denk reached the midway point on the first half of his recital at La Jolla Presbyterian Church Friday (May 12), he had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. By the time he was finished, they were standing on their feet applauding and shouting!

Read More