Friday, February 23
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
J.S. Bach, St. John Passion The great Passions of J. S. Bach remain unparalleled in their dramatic impact and universally experienced emotional effects. Bach took the genre to new worlds of expression, incorporating the Lutheran tradition of chorales with newer, Italianate operatic elements. The result is a powerful force of rhetoric that tells the Passion story reinforced by personalized illuminations of onlookers. This is music that transcends cultural, religious, and theatrical boundaries between performers and audience members, drawing in listeners as historical participants. Maestro Thomas, one of the baroque music world’s most celebrated Bach specialists, brings his unique and insightful perspectives to the podium in definitive performances that are profoundly beautiful and moving. With soloists Aaron Sheehan, tenor (Evangelist); Jesse Blumberg, baritone (Christus); Hélène Brunet,soprano; Robin Bier, contralto; Steven Brennfleck, tenor; Bryan Jolly, baritone; and the American Bach Choir.
8 PM
St. Stephen’s Church
3 Bay View, Belvedere
$35–$89
Tickets online, 415-621-7900
[email protected]
Saturday, February 24
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
J.S. Bach, St. John Passion The great Passions of J. S. Bach remain unparalleled in their dramatic impact and universally experienced emotional effects. Bach took the genre to new worlds of expression, incorporating the Lutheran tradition of chorales with newer, Italianate operatic elements. The result is a powerful force of rhetoric that tells the Passion story reinforced by personalized illuminations of onlookers. This is music that transcends cultural, religious, and theatrical boundaries between performers and audience members, drawing in listeners as historical participants. Maestro Thomas, one of the Baroque music world’s most celebrated Bach specialists, brings his unique and insightful perspectives to the podium in definitive performances that are profoundly beautiful and moving. With soloists Aaron Sheehan, tenor (Evangelist); Jesse Blumberg, baritone (Christus); Hélène Brunet,soprano; Robin Bier, contralto; Steven Brennfleck, tenor; Bryan Jolly, baritone; and the American Bach Choir.
8 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
$35–$89
Tickets online, 415-621-7900
[email protected]
Viola da Gamba Society/Pacifica Chapter
Stanford Workshop directed by John Dornenburg. A one-day workshop consisting of topical and technique classes followed by a session of viol orchestra. Faculty are John Dornenburg (Director), Julie Jeffrey, Shira Kammen, and David Morris. All sizes and levels are welcome. Download registration and information.
9 AM–4 PM
Braun Music Center (Music Department)
Stanford University, Palo Alto
$75 Free parking in all University lots
www.pacificaviols.org
Sunday, February 25
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
J.S. Bach, St. John Passion The great Passions of J. S. Bach remain unparalleled in their dramatic impact and universally experienced emotional effects. Bach took the genre to new worlds of expression, incorporating the Lutheran tradition of chorales with newer, Italianate operatic elements. The result is a powerful force of rhetoric that tells the Passion story reinforced by personalized illuminations of onlookers. This is music that transcends cultural, religious, and theatrical boundaries between performers and audience members, drawing in listeners as historical participants. Maestro Thomas, one of the Baroque music world’s most celebrated Bach specialists, brings his unique and insightful perspectives to the podium in definitive performances that are profoundly beautiful and moving. With soloists Aaron Sheehan, tenor (Evangelist); Jesse Blumberg, baritone (Christus); Hélène Brunet,soprano; Robin Bier, contralto; Steven Brennfleck, tenor; Bryan Jolly, baritone; and the American Bach Choir.
2 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell St. (at Gough), San Francisco
$35–$89
Tickets online, 415-621-7900
[email protected]
Flanders Recorder Quartet
The South Bay Recorder Society presents a workshop and ensemble coaching for intermediate to advanced players. with the Flanders Recorder Quartet (Tom Beets, Paul Van Loey, Joris Van Goethem, and Bart Spanhove). Choose from 3 class choices each for each of the 3 sessions, or Ensemble Coaching (maximum 3 Ensembles). Bring instruments (pitch: A=440, not counting Ensembles), music stand, and sack lunch. Music is included in workshop fee; PDFs may be sent beforehand upon request. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided for the breaks. The lunch break is short, so bringing a sack lunch is recommended. A list of nearby eating places will also be available. Download brochure here.
9:30 AM–2 PM
Opera San Jose
2149 Paragon Drive, San Jose
Base fee $40 includes three 60-minute small-group playing sessions. Private Lessons or Ensemble Coaching add $80 per student/group. Auditors $20. Limited space availability at this time. For more info, contact Michèle Kelly at [email protected]. More info about the FRQ is available on their website at www.flanders-recorder-quartet.be
Flanders Recorder Quartet
San Jose Chamber Music presents the esteemed Belgian quartet’s Farewell Concert. Tom Beets, Paul Van Loey, Joris Van Goethem, and Bart Spanhove traveled around the world for 25 years with more than 150 recorders in tow performing for international audiences to great acclaim. They are on YouTube (frquartet) and frequent faculty at the Texas Toot and Amherst, where they have a large and dedicated student following. After 25 years they are disbanding and giving a farewell tour around the globe! Their concert program includes Praetorius, Summa Parenti Gloria (1611); Schein, Suite #15 from Banchetto Musicale (1617); Bach, Fantasia in C, BWV 570, and Fuga in C, BWV 545; Boismortier, Concerto VI from Op.15 (1727); and contemporary works by Pieter Campo, “Meditation” (2015) and “Fire” (2015); Sören Sieg “Inxaxheba” (2016); Jeroen d’Hoe Ella’s Blues (2005); Louis Prima, Sing Sing Sing (with a swing) (1936).
7 PM pre-concert talk at 6:15
Trianon Theater
72 N. 5th St., San Jose
Tickets online $15–$49
http://sjchambermusic.org/
www.flanders-recorder-quartet.be
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
