The State of the Arts

Bolero, Obsession, and the Brain

"Unraveling Bolero" artist Anne Adams and composer Maurice Ravel's shared experience with progressive aphasia is explored at a San Francisco symposium on arts and brain science.

A Sampling of Birdcalls in the Concert Hall

Explore how composers like Beethoven, Handel, and Respighi have imitated birdcalls in their works, from the cuckoo to the nightingale, in this tribute to 'Birds in the Orchestra'.

Movies About Composers

Explore how films like Amadeus, The Great Waltz, A Song to Remember, and Copying Beethoven depict the lives and works of famous composers, often prioritizing drama over historical accuracy.

A Tour Through All of Beethoven’s Quartets

The Alexander String Quartet collaborates with music historian Robert Greenberg for a series exploring Beethoven's quartets. The series, marking Beethoven's 250th birth anniversary, runs from October to May.

A New Home for KDFC in the Civic Center

KDFC is moving to the heart of the Civic Center’s Arts District, in the new Ute and William K. Bowes, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, enhancing its community presence.

A Sampling of Birdcalls in the Concert Hall

This article explores how composers like Beethoven, Handel, and Messaien have imitated bird songs in their works, using instruments or actual bird recordings to enhance their compositions.