Music of Stephen Foster and Charles Ives

Trifecta of musical celebration for 2026 Fourth of July:

1. Stephen Foster (07.04.1826 – 01.13.1864) 200th birth anniversary. He was really born on Fourth of July ! His music was highly revered and heavily referenced by
2. Charles Ives (1874 – 1954), one of the truly original and revolutionary modern American composers. Orchestral works and songs conducted by 
3. Michael Tilson Thomas (12.21.1944 – 04.22.2026) who passed away earlier this year. 

Concert: Jean-Yves Thibaudet (05/10/2026)

Jean-Yves Thibaudet Stanford Bing Concert Hall debut. An afternoon of all-Debussy program.

Concert: Quatuor Ebene (04/16/2026)

A wonderful evening of music making by Quatuor Ébène

Concert: Quatuor Danel (04/13/2026)

Quatuor Danel finally returns to the Bay Area after originally scheduled to play 6 years ago (courtesy of COVID, naturally).

Concert: Bomsori Kim (04/01/2026)

Stanford Live presents Bomsori Kim.

Minkus: Don Quixote (Sofia National Opera Orchestra / Boris Spassov)

Ballet Music for Marius Petipa's Don Quixote, (mostly) by Ludwig Minkus. Sofia National Opera Orchestra / Boris Spassov.

前幾天是奧地利出生，後移居並在俄國打出名聲的芭蕾舞樂作曲家Ludwig (Léon) Minkus (03.23.1826 – 12.07.1917)的兩百年誕辰。一如往常，絕對可以保證龔詩堯兄有詳細介紹生平的格文。

恰巧又看到灣區這邊，同是美國歷史最悠久的芭蕾舞團SF Ballet現在正在表演Minkus所配樂的芭蕾舞，讓我不禁想到大學的一段回憶。

Concert: Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Riccardo Muti (01/17/2026)

Muti guest conducts Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Hearing CSO live after more than 20+ years. 

Dukas 160th birth and 90th death anniversary. Dukas Edition (Warner). Prix de Rome works (Bru Zane)

Dukas (10.1.1865 – 05.17. 1935) 160th birth and 90th death anniversary.

Published works (solo piano, chamber, orchestral, opera) by Warner and early unpublished works by Bru Zane.

Ravel 150th Birth Anniversary. Complete Works by Warner

Ravel (03.07.1875 – 12.28.1937) 150th birth anniversary. The Complete Works box set by Warner.

2025年冥誕與逝世大週年的重要作曲家還蠻多的，自己設下的聆聽目標，在有限時間內只得做出一定的取捨。今年最瘋狂的，莫過於先前貼過的Johann Strauss II(小史特勞斯)管弦樂作品全集。而上半年開始卻未完成的Warner那套Ravel全集，則是近來在聖誕假期內完成。

Bizet: Carmen + Les pêcheurs de perles (Solti/Plasson/Bloch)

Revisiting Bizet's most beloved operas in his 150th death anniversary year.

Concert: SF Symphony Youth Orchestra - Peter and the Wolf (12/14/2025)

Boys' first orchestra experience at Davies Hall, also mine in a long time..... SF Symphony Youth Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf. Highly impressed with the high standard of playing.

Concert: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale - Gloria (12/07/2025)

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale presents Vivaldi's Gloria and other Christmas-themed works. Getting into the holiday spirit!

Johann Strauss II: Complete Orchestra Works (Naxos)

Finished listening to the complete orchestral works of Johann Strauss II (10.25.1825 – 06.03.1899) on his 200th bicentennial birth year.

小史特勞斯滿月！(能跟我一樣那麼瘋狂的人，應該就只有Decca Chu朱醫生了)

Concert: Pepe Romero (11/22/2025)

An evening of guitar music by maestro Pepe Romero.

Concert: Modigliani Concert (11/14/2025)

Wonderful Modigliani Quartet concert.

Concert: Hayato Sumino (Cateen) (10/27/2025)

Hayato Sumino (角野隼斗) (Cateen) recital.

Concert: Esme Quartet (03/16/2025)

Wonderful Esmé Quartet concert. San Jose Chamber Music Society event.

Concert: Natalie Dessay Farewell Tour (03/01/2025)

 

Natalie Dessay Farewell Tour. 

Vaughan Williams: Film Music (BBC Philharmonic/Gamba)

Vaughan Williams: Film Music (BBC Philharmonic/Gamba)

Taneyev: (Almost) Complete Chamber Music (Taneyev Quartet)

 Taneyev (almost) complete chamber music. Taneyev Quartet.

「等等記得幫Taneyev(他拿衣服)去洗～～」