#rachmaninoff

#rachmaninoff

Conrad Tao is always doing something. A couple years ago, I was blown away by the New York City pianist's curated program at SF Symphony's experimental sensation Soundbox. Intense on the keys, the young player's adventurousness in his music was almost scandalous. (We ended up raving all night together at F8 afterwards, during which I might have been a bit gushy.) Seeing him recently on NPR's Tiny Desk busting the ivories with tap dancer Caleb Teicher was a real treat,

Symphony supporters glammed it up for a pre-concert reception that had a touch of added mystery as most of the VIP crowd wore masks for the occasion. There were Venetian masks, Mardi Gras masks, and a few black lace masks with feathers, beads, colors and the occasional beak adding to the fun. Mask-wearing guests mingled during a pre-concert gala reception at Symphony San Jose's opening night, Masquerade, at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)