KING-FM has CD drive for kids

KING-FM, the region's classical-music station at 98.1, is collecting children's books and classical CDs this month for their new program, called "For the Love of Learning." The station's programming director, Bryan Lowe, calls the initiative "central to KING-FM's mission, and we know it's important to our listeners."

Books and CDs collected through this drive will be distributed by Child Care Resources to 20 child-care centers serving low-income families with infants, toddlers and preschool children.

Donations may be made through the end of February at any Western Washington Maytag Store, as well as the KING-FM studios at 10th and Harrison (immediately west of the KeyArena), or to any Caffe Ladro location, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Good reviews for Schwarz in Germany

Seattle Symphony music director Gerard Schwarz won favorable reviews in his recent tour of six German cities with the venerable Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

The Westdeutsche Zeitung reported that Schwarz "delivered a nearly Olympic performance with precise, exacting cues." The Rheinische Post noted that "because his technically clear and stylistically knowledgeable direction lends itself well to the emotional balance between providing encouragement, making demands and exhibiting control, Dvorák streamed forth in all its whims and impulses." And Cologne's Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger wrote, "Under the guest's [Schwarz's] energetic and sparkling direction, the orchestra performed its finest."

Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times music critic