The 100th anniversary of the SF Symphony is such a big deal, it's sucking the air out of some other impressive milestones. One of these: Alexander Barantschik's tenth year as concert master of the San Francisco symphony. Originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia, Sasha, as he's called, joined ten years ago from the London Symphony Orchestra, one of the best orchestras in the world where he held the same job. more ›

Scott Sylvester, the man spotted making off with a $23,000 violin on Muni, was arrested yesterday. According to the Examiner, Sylvester left the violin with a Priest at St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday morning. What the Ex declines to mention is whether that was an act of penance because he saw his face plastered all over the Internet or if he was trying to encourage stringed accompaniment at the parish. Either way, the cops rounded him up by 8 p.m. last night. [SFEx] more ›

Anne-Sophie Mutter is classical music's attempt to attract the 18-34 male demographics. She's the symphony hall's answer to Monday Night Football. She can play the violin like anyone else, but she also happens to be seriously attractive. She'll play at Davies Symphony Hall on Monday 4/7 (a recital of Brahms sonatas with pianist Lambert Orkis), and we'll make the same recommendation as for the ballet: guys, take your girlfriend there, she'll think you're sensitive, cultivated, oh so sophisticated, and you'll have some eye candy to look at, you'll have a good time. You might even end up enjoying the music. more ›