A Guide to Austin Classical Music

The virtuosi who know the score and make beautiful music happen here

"...Don't let the word "classical" throw you. In the context of classical music in..."

April 26, 2019 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Margaret Perry: A Life of Music

Classical community honors the late educator in concert Friday

"...to music, that was only fitting. So this Friday, Austin's classical community will gather at St. Martin's Lutheran to..."

May 23, 2018 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Five Arty Things to Do: Jan. 5-7

Apocalypse indefinitely postponed; go out, have some fun

"...we just saw some cheap prognostication fly past our glassies in a biz-oriented listicle – but we do know..."

Jan. 4, 2018 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Austin Opera Takes Aim at the Election With Its Adaptation of The Manchurian Candidate

Composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell shoot to thrill in their opera based on Richard Condon's Cold War classic

"...before U.S. citizens choose their next president, courtesy of Austin Opera...."

Sept. 16, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Politics Upstaged

This election year brings out the political in Austin's arts

"...decide who's the president of the United States of Classical Music. Here's a roundup of several that you might..."

Sept. 13, 2016 Arts Post by Robert Faires

How About Some Music a Little out of the Ordinary This Weekend?

It’s not only rock & roll, but we fucking love it

"...Classical? Some of it...."

Aug. 25, 2016 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

The 2015-16 Austin Critics Table Awards

The 2015-16 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...T Theatre had a reason to crow at the Austin Critics Table Awards ceremony on Monday, winning three awards..."

May 27, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

La Follia's Start the New Year With Bach!

The baroque ensemble's first concert of 2016 delivers life lessons along with the beautiful music

"...such a resolution after having followed the directive of La Follia Austin Baroque to Start the New Year With..."

Jan. 8, 2016 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Bach's Herd of Harpsichords V: Double Play

You'll always find something unexpected at a La Follia harpsichord concert, but you can expect the instrument to be well-played

"...harpsichord concert, but I daresay one of those refined classical instruments being comandeered by a guy in a Batman..."

Jan. 9, 2015 Arts Review by Robert Faires

American Roots: Music of the Moravians

This concert of music from the pacifist community offered a meaningful alternative to the usual July Fourth celebration

"...when I think of Revolutionary America is sprightly tunes played on fifes and drums. As cheerful as that music..."

July 4, 2014 Arts Review by Natalie Zeldin

'17th Century Masterworks From Eastern Europe'

Move over, Queen! La Follia digs up some Bohemian rhapsodies you've never heard before.

"...SXSW infuses Austin with a fervor to seek out new sounds from..."

April 4, 2014 Arts Feature by Natalie Zeldin

Austin Critics Table Awards 2013

Arts writers raise their glasses to outstanding art in list of nominees

"...creative projects recognized in the nominations for the 2013 Austin Critics Table Awards. Earlier this month, a batch of..."

May 24, 2013 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Fit for a King: J.S. Bach's Musical Offering

La Follia's well-crafted program of music by Bach exposed the energetic and dynamic Baroque spirit

"...18th century isn't nearly as stuffy as it seems. La Follia Austin Baroque proved as much this past weekend..."

April 12, 2013 Arts Review by Natalie Zeldin

Have You 'Herd'?

It's another stampede to La Follia's harpsichord concert

"...For the past two years, La Follia Austin Baroque has dedicated its first concert of..."

Jan. 5, 2013 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Top 10 (+1) Dance/Classical Music Treasures of 2012

In 2012, dance memorably explored profound topics, and classical embraced Charlie Brown and George Washington

"...1) 'SOLO SYMPHONY' (Forklift Danceworks) A revelation – of the dance at the heart of an..."

Jan. 4, 2013 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Fall Arts Issue Critics Picks

From the arts harvest, our critics pluck choice treats

"...Two discarded NASA astronauts (played by Jason Newman and Fusebox's Brad Carlin) are recruited..."

Sept. 14, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Classically Speaking

Focusing on Haydn and Mozart, La Follia did a lovely job linking classical to baroque

"...Classically SpeakingFirst Presbyterian Church Aug. 26..."

Aug. 31, 2012 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

Revolutionary Score

The Founding Fathers' first declaration: 'We're an American band!'

"...Franklin on guitar, harp, viol da gamba, and, natch, glass armonica (he did, after all, invent the thing); Francis..."

June 29, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

2012 Austin Critics Table Awards

For the 20th time, a big hand for the nominees if you please

"...casual little awards party has become an institution – lauding exceptional achievements in dance, classical music, and the visual..."

May 25, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Top of the Line

The nominees for the 2011 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...has recognized the year's most exceptional achievements in dance, classical music, the visual arts, and theatre. The nominations for..."

May 27, 2011 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

La Follia

La Serva Padrona was a surprise hit in 1733, and it still delights today

"...same program. The good news? One of them was popular enough to carry your name forward into history. The..."

April 16, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Early to Rise

Daniel Johnson loves early music's purity of sound and intimacy, and he's not alone

"...a rebel. But don't be fooled by the middle-age placidity, the casual air in his manner and dress, the..."

Dec. 12, 2008 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Bach Vocal Music: His wondrous way with the human voice, exhibits A and B

Bach is in the air most splendidly this week, in concerts by La Follia and UT's Chamber Singers that testify anew to the composer's magnificent way with the human voice

"...weren't enticement enough, accompanying Calmus will be members of Austin's baroque specialists La Follia. You can hear them Friday,..."

Feb. 23, 2007 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

La Follia's Musical Moonlighting

In the concert Musical Moonlighting, Baroque ensemble La Follia focuses on compositions by people who spent their days working in fields other than music

"...When you think of the folks who wrote classical music, you probably think of guys in powdered wigs..."

Feb. 17, 2006 Arts Feature by Barry Pineo

The Human Touch

Violinist Laurie Young Stevens finds the passion and flash in baroque music

"...You won't catch Laurie Young Stevens bowing to Bach, venerating Vivaldi, or kowtowing..."

Jan. 16, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Suites and Leftovers

La Follia made a feast of leftovers for their post-Thanksgiving offering at First Presbyterian Church.

"...For their post-Thanksgiving offering, the members of La Follia made a feast of leftovers...."

Dec. 5, 2003 Arts Review by Jerry Young

Earthly Delights

La Follia's musical guide to love during the Baroque period included some masterful playing by the group's instrumentalists, but it was the haunting voice of soprano Jenifer Thyssen that really reached out to the audience with love's beautiful soundtrack from 300 years ago.

"...What was love like during the Baroque period? Well, if you take La Follia's array of..."

Feb. 21, 2003 Arts Review by Robi Polgar

A Fine Romance

This Valentine's Day, Austin is blessed with opportunities to explore romance on stage, and here are some samples.

"...both cabaret and love. He's been performing the great popular songs of the 20th century for more than a..."

Feb. 14, 2003 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Mid-Winter Festival Schedule

"...All performances except "La Rosa," which is at Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300..."

Jan. 25, 2002 Music Feature