The fate of Ariadne, who helped Theseus to overcome the Minotaur and was abandoned by him on the island of Naxos, was an inspiration for numerous works of both visual and performing arts. Haydn took the myth as the subject of his cantata, composed in 1791. Recorded on 8/19/2014.

La Jolla Music Society's SummerFest celebrates the conclusion of its 30th season with a concert featuring some of the world's best musicians performing as the SummerFest Chamber Orchestra. Led by conductor James Conlon, the Orchestra performs Schubert's "Symphony No. 5," Prokofiev's "Violin Concerto No. 2" (featuring soloist Gil Shaham), and Mozart's "Symphony No. 34."

Former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky describes himself as a "composer" who considers poetry to be first and foremost a vocal art, and his work seeks to blur the distinctions between language and music by emphasizing the rhythms and innate physicality of recited verse in a jazz context. In this performance for the 22nd Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University, Pinsky's reading is accompanied by a talented trio of PLNU students. The music - a blend of rehearsed and improvised - employs a variety of jazz styles, sometimes sympathetic and sometimes in playful counterpoint, but always responsive to the poet's distinctive voice.

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus performs excerpts from the season-opening "Crossing the Rue St. Paul" concert, with commentary from the stage by Conductor Steven Schick and questions from the audience. Recorded on 11/3/2017.

One of the most important composers in jazz history, Charles Mingus documented his lively impressions of Tijuana in "Tijuana Moods," a rarely performed suite. Join grammy-winning jazz author Ashley Kahn; eminent alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, a longstanding member of Charles Mingus' band; Anthony Davis, UC San Diego professor of music and noted composer, pianist and improviser; and Steven Schick, UC San Diego professor of music, percussionist, and conductor, for an exploration of the legacy of African-American composer Charles Mingus and his historic Tijuana Moods album. Recorded on 01/20/2018.

Trumpeter Hugh Ragin leads a group of UC San Diego Jazz Camp students in a performance of standards and new works. Recorded on 6/30/2017.

Saxophonist Charles McPherson leads a group of UC San Diego Jazz Camp students in a performance of standards and new works. Recorded on 6/30/2017.

Cecil Lytle performs Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and three commissioned works from the extraordinary pianist/composer Asher Tobin Chodos, including an original work for two pianos. Stephanie Richards solos on trumpet in Copland's "Quiet City."The Program:George Gershwin, An American in ParisDuke Ellington/arr. A.T. Chodos, Mood IndigoAsher Tobin Chodos, Concertino for Two Pianos & OrchestraAaron Copland, Quiet CityDuke Ellington/arr. A.T. Chodos, SolitudeGeorge Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue Recorded on 11/05/2017.

The past few years have been difficult ones for France, as that nation has been buffeted by strong crosswinds from every direction. Paris-based circus artist, composer, and percussionist Roland Auzet fights back in a new theatrical percussion concerto written for, and co-commissioned by, UCSD graduate student Fiona Digney. The balm of Malhler's Fourth Symphony, featuring one of the most beautiful slow movements ever written, helps to calm the currents and ease troubled minds. Recorded on 02/11/2018.