Move over, Schubert: Marié Rossano has arrived. During concerts at Tacoma’s Rialto Theater and Puyallup’s Pioneer Park Pavilion last weekend the Northwest Sinfonietta learned the hard way that the 17-year-old prodigy violinist Rossano was far and away the headline attraction over classical greats Beethoven and Schubert, causing audiences to give standing ovations midway through pieces and leave in droves right after her performance.

Rossano, a Seattle teenager who already studies at the Curtis Institute of Music and who wowed Sinfonietta audiences two years ago with her rendition of the Brahms double concerto with cellist Julian Schwarz, deserves her …

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The recession must indeed be over if local chamber groups like the Northwest Sinfonietta are confidently planning a season full of international collaborations, A-grade soloists and world premiere compositions. That’s what’s in store for NWS audiences in Seattle, Tacoma and Puyallup, with soloists such as Awadagin Pratt and Cecile Licad, two performances with Cuban musicians and a range of composers from Mozart to Kodály.

“What’s not to like?” says NWS executive director Neil Birnbaum, and he’s right, especially if you’re a fan of the way the Tacoma-based chamber orchestra used to program its concerts pre-recession – with unusual works and stylish programs. Heading up the whole season is a performance of Beethoven’s 9^th symphony, the Choral, featuring a dream line-up of soloists for this beloved work that the Tacoma Symphony is also playing this May: Jennifer Bromagen, Sarah Mattox, Stephen Rumph and the rafter-shaking Clayton Brainerd, along with PLU’s Choral Union. Also on the program is Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. Why? Because augmenting the NWS are musicians from Cuba, playing side-by-side with American musicians for the first time in this country since the Cuban revolution, thanks to the Sinfonietta’s bridge-building Cuba tour in January. Read more »

A sexy, jazzy Valentine’s Day date in Puyallup? You better believe it. If you haven’t already planned your date for this Sunday, here’s a great idea all laid out for you: the Northwest Sinfonietta Jazz Quartet in “Music for Lovers” with sultry singer Stephanie Porter, cabaret-style in the Pioneer Park Pavilion at 7 p.m.

It’s the first concert for the Sinfonietta since their move to be the resident professional orchestra in Puyallup a few weeks ago. The residency adds to existing ones at the Rialto Theater, Tacoma, and Seattle’s Benaroya Hall and means regular appearances there by …

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