John Clare

There is a lot of attention being paid to Igor Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring." The ballet caused a riot at its premiere back in May 1913, and 100 years later is still gathering audiences. San Antonio audiences saw the Joffrey Ballet perform it on tour with pre-recorded music back in March.

Not many composers under 30 years old can say they have had a Carnegie Hall premiere - or several recordings of their music. Mohammed Fairouz laughed when I mentioned that by the age of 26 he had accomplished this and more: "No, I'm only 27!" he said.

The latest from the Arab-American composer is called "Native Informant," out on the Naxos label, which features violinist Rachel Barton Pine in the title track.

The latest release from Augustin Hadelich and Pablo Sainz Villegas is hot! "Histoire du Tango" is filled with passion, flair, and a lot of notes - featuring music from Astor Piazzolla, Manuel de Falla, Nicolo Paganini, and Pablo de Sarasate.

"A mutual friend in New York introduced us, and we played at an Embassy," says guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas. "It was so much fun, and we understood each other musically." So Villegas and Hadelich decided to record some of the works they played that night.

Igor Stravinsky made an original piano version of his ballet "Petrushka," so why would someone else make one?

"Well, I played it as a student, and I remember thinking, you know, I would actually trill this octave, not that one," says Jon "Jackie" Kimura Parker.

Parker has made a solo piano version of the entire ballet, not just a few scenes.

Alison Balsom's U.S. tour covers the east coast, west coast and luckily, Texas! Trumpet fans around the country have been heralding Balsom as she performs with the Scottish Ensemble.  

In this interview, she shares insights about traveling with two trumpets and a two year old,  as well as keeping things fresh musically night after night. Alison is also excited to be on stage this summer in a new play written for her!

While SOLI Chamber Ensemble typically performs 10 to 12 times a season on their subscription series, this year has allowed audiences to hear them a few more times in special settings. This weekend the modern quartet, recognized in January by ASCAP for their adventurous programming, collaborates with the McNay Art Museum for a program called SO(LI) Surreal, based on their visiting Whitney Art Museum exhibit Real/Surreal.