By Peter A. Klein
Elisa Barston, the Seattle Symphony’s principal second violinist, was the featured soloist in three all-Mozart concerts this past weekend. With everything else going on in town, Benaroya Hall was not full, but still comfortably well-populated on Saturday evening. Those in attendance were treated to some fine playing, with Music Director Gerard Schwarz’ many years as a Mozart conductor informing the proceedings.
Continue reading Elisa Barston shines in Mozart “Turkish” Concerto
With the first official weekend of Icebreaker V over, no one can accuse the Seattle Chamber Players of being timid or short on vision. SCP’s Icebreaker festivals have become important staples for Seattle’s new music scene. Each festival has gone beyond the one before. Two years ago, the emphasis was on American music and SCP brought in music gurus Kyle Gann and Alex Ross to curate a festival of their favorite American composers. There were the premieres and commissions SCP is known for, but the festival was largely a contained event, neatly filling three days with musical activities.
Continue reading Icebreaker V surveys the contemporary music of Western Europe
By Gigi Yellen
David White is a great performer! At the keyboard, he is a crisp, athletic artist, defining an energetic musical rapport among his fellow players that, in turn, keeps an audience on the edge of its seat.
But he’s more than that: he’s a gifted and entertaining speaker, whose pre-concert energy added great value to the experience of the small crowd of cognoscenti gathered at Town Hall for this Sunday afternoon concert of Haydn and Mendelssohn chamber music. Onyx continues its 2009-10 season commemorating the dual bicentennials of Joseph Haydn (died in 1809) and Felix Mendelssohn (born in 1809). The newly-reconstituted Onyx is White, violinist James Garlick, and cellist Meg Brennand.
Continue reading Review: Onyx Chamber Players at Town Hall Seattle
Gathering Note 