SF Classical Voice Celebrates Six Months Online

Among major American cities, San Francisco probably ranks near the top in culture per capita. It's therefore no accident that an Internet venture billing itself "the world's first website journal of classical music criticism" should have originated there. The site, San Francisco Classical Voice, is celebrating its first six months online.

Backed by the SF Foundation Community Initiative Funds, the non-commercial site is devoted solely to in-depth reviews of live performances of classical music---including opera, symphonic works, chamber recitals, and occasional solo pieces. Although a large number of the Bay Area's local musicians are subjected to SFCV's journalistic scrutiny, many of the performers reviewed are of national and international caliber, and are of interest to classical music fans outside Northern California. A new edition of SFVC appears each Tuesday.

Helmed by San Francisco Chronicle classical music critic emeritus Robert Commanday, the site is notable for the high level of musical knowledge possessed by its writers. Although the genre of classical music criticism can sometimes be a bit turgid, many of SFVC's contributors are both insightful and entertaining. One of its more delightful writers is pianist Sarah Cahill, a regular contributor to the newspaper East Bay Express. Cahill also hosts a weekly music show on Fridays, from 10am to noon, on radio station KPFA, 94.1 FM.

For the benefit of both local and visiting music fans, SFVC maintains an extensive and continually updated calendar of events. Bookmark it and check in often.

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