J. S. Bach, the Baroque master, is the inspiration for the American Bach Soloists, the choral and orchestral creation (since 1989) of Jeffrey Thomas. Yet for its annual Christmas offering at the Mondavi Center (on the campus of U.C. Davis), Mr. Thomas and his musicians have, until this year, offered a steady diet of Handel’s […]

I should have known I would catch it, but I’d gone several straight years without having one, so I guess I’d forgotten how common they are.  I’m talking about a good old fashioned winter cold.  You know the type, because as sure as you’re able to read this sentence, you’ve had your share of them. […]

When he appeared in April, 2013, with the San Francisco Symphony at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts (on the campus of U.C. Davis), we remarked that Austin Hadelich “showed a command of his instrument that clearly indicates he needs to get more exposure with the great orchestras of the world.”  In the less […]

In the immediate aftermath of the Paris terrorist attack and a none-too-veiled threat from ISIS that New York City would be the next target, clear signs of added security were in abundance last week.  Subway stations were heavily guarded, police officers were ubiquitous, and airports were staffed with extra TSA personnel. In the meantime, however, […]