Posts by Ken Herman
Patel Leads a Glorious Sibelius Fifth Symphony to Remember
San Diego Symphony Associate Conductor Sameer Patel led a majestic, sonically luxurious account of the Jean Sibelius Fifth Symphony and introduced with violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and the orchestra a new violin concerto by Adam Schoenberg.
Read MoreSan Diego Symphony’s ‘Beyond the Score’ Program on Rachmaninoff Prepares Audience for Music History Exam at Next Symphony Concert
Just as Robert Indiana’s familiar 1970 Love Sculpture became an apt symbol of the 1970s, the Swiss artist Arnold Böklin’s evocative painting “The Isle of the Dead” from 1880 captured the darker, mystical imaginings of fin de siècle Europe. Sergei Rachmaninoff turned Böklin’s painting into a dark tone poem, which he also titled “The Isle of the Dead” . . .
Read MoreZukerman Brings Uninspired Tchaikovsky to San Diego Symphony
After the San Diego Symphony rose to such great heights performing exciting, compelling new works in the recently completed “It’s About Time” festival, Pinchas Zukerman’s uninspired evening of standard repertory proved a crashing letdown . . .
Read More‘Cardboard Piano’–Diversionary’s Probing Political and Ethical Parable
The main issues that roil the plot of Hansol Jung’s searing 2016 play “Cardboard Piano” include forgiveness and redemption, life and death, race and colonialism, love and hate, faith and doubt, with a heavy dash of homophobia. And—let’s be clear about this—these are just the main themes of the play at Diversionary . . .
Read MoreSurprising Musical Premieres Courtesy of Art of Élan
Art of Élan’s January 30 concert at Balboa Park’s San Diego Art Institute offered an entire program of new compositions: fresh, engaging, and thought-provoking works, including Lei Liang’s impressive “Petal by Petal, Leaf by Leaf” a trio for flute, viola, and harp.
Read MoreWillan West 2018 Festival Opens in Hillcrest
San Diego maestro Ruben Valenzuela, known for leading rigorous period performances of Bach and Handel, has launched a several month festival to perform the sacred compositions of the early 20th-century Anglo-Canadian composer Healey Willan with equal concern for period practice and context . . .
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