When it comes to orchestral arrangements, not much beats true-blue old-school rock—Moody Blues, Stones, Floyd, Chris Farlowe, Jay and the Americans. But any lineup hailed as “violins, viola and cello sharp as knives” gets our attention. The performers in question are Brooklyn Rider, the resident string quartet of superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble. The four—young, personable and looking amazingly like a ’60s doo-wop group—are “guest artistic director” for the annual Laguna Beach Music Festival. The weeklong classical-music extravaganza features a hugely varied slate of mainstage concerts and informal performances in galleries, public spaces and private homes. Keep your cell phone handy, okay? Any spontaneous Danny and the Juniors outbreak, we got dibs.
Feb. 7-13, 2011
