Monday, April 2
American Bach Soloists
Free Public Master Class with William Skeen, Baroque ‘Cellist, one of 3 master classes ABS is presenting at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music this season. Witness the artistic transformations that make Master Classes so tremendously exciting, as performers and ABS musicians share their knowledge and insights. These events are free and open to the public.
7:30 PM
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
50 Oak St., San Francisco
FREE
415-621-7900
Tuesday, April 3
Sacramento Recorder Society
Regular meeting for recorder players, with guest conductor Rebecca Molinari. Newcomers welcome. Bring recorders, stand, and other early instruments. Music provided. Refreshments.
6:45–9:30 PM
Friends Meeting House
890 57th St., between H and J, Sacramento.
sacrecorders.wordpress.com
Friday, April 6
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
Claudio Monteverdi, Vespro della Beata Vergine (“Vespers of 1610”), Magnificat a 6 voci. Like the most treasured works of art and spectacular architectural wonders, a handful of musical masterworks of the Baroque have taken their places in the hearts of music lovers for all time. Our 29th subscription season continues with Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine (also known as the “Vespers of 1610”), a monumental work that displays its composer’s brilliant assimilation of styles—old and new, sacred and secular—and his masterful command of a wide palette of musical structures including psalm settings, sacred concertos, hymns, motets, and sonatas, all bound together by Gregorian chant. With soloists Nils Brown, tenor; Katelyn Aungst & Julie Bosworth, sopranos; Nicholas Burns & Jay Carter, countertenors; Steven Brennfleck & Jonathan Smucker, tenors; David McFerrin, baritone; William Meinert & Jeffrey Fields, basses; and the American Bach Choir.
8 PM
St. Stephen’s Church
3 Bay View Ave., Belvedere
Tickets online $35 to $89
415-621-7900, [email protected]
http://americanbach.org
Barefoot Chamber Concerts
Bach Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord. Barefoot is delighted to be able to present Katherine Heater, harpsichord, and Maia Silberstein, violin, playing the Bach Sonatas for Harpsichord and Violin. These masterpieces were revolutionary in their time. Bach pushed the limits of the contemporary violin technique, and expanded the conventional baroque compositional language, creating six extraordinary trios (the right hand of the harpsichord is mostly an equal voice with the violin, while the left hand plays the bass of the trio) that have been delighting audiences for centuries. Katherine Heater, one of the leading harpsichordists of the Bay Area, needs no introduction to the Barefoot audience. Maia Silberstein, graduate of Davis High School and raised in Davis, has lived and worked in Europe as a baroque violinist for some decades now, but returns frequently to play with Ms. Heater as often as possible. The pair have played together for decades, and their flawless ensemble reflects this fact. There will, of course, be the usual Barefoot snax. The lovely wooden acoustic of St. Mark’s Parish Hall provides the perfect setting for this concert.
6 PM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Tickets online $15
510-220-1195 [email protected]
East Bay Chapter, ARS
Monthly playing session with guest conductor Glen Shannon. New members and guests welcome.
7:30–10 PM
Zion Lutheran Church
5201 Park Blvd., Oakland
http://www.symbolicsolutions.com/ebrs-web2015/index.html
SFEMS presents Wildcat Viols
“The Magnifick Consort of Four Parts: Fantasies, Suites and Sonatas for viol quartet” The second half of the 17th century witnessed the rise of violin-dominated chamber and orchestral genres, but the viola da gamba continued to inspire some of the most profound and astonishing music of early baroque. The viol consort’s increasing rarity seemed to invite the special attentions of some of the era’s finest composers, whose most daring and unusual musical ideas would find perfect expression in the intimately passionate sound-world of the viol ensemble. Joanna Blendulf, treble viol; Julie Jeffrey, tenor viol; Annalisa Pappano, tenor viol; Elisabeth Reed, bass viol, perform masterworks by three of these composers: the exquisite “Fantazias of four parts” by Henry Purcell, Matthew Locke’s “Magnifick consort of 4 parts,” and Giovanni Legrenzi’s lively and intense “Sonate à quatro viole da gamba.” Wildcat Viols explores this music’s kaleidoscopic variety of colors and moods with fearless depth and sensitivity. Read more . . .
8 PM
First Presbyterian Church
1140 Cowper Street (at Lincoln), Palo Alto
General $45, Seniors $40.50, SFEMS Members $38.25, Students $15
Buy tickets online or phone 510-528-1725
www.sfems.org
Saturday, April 7
Albany Consort
“Goldberg Variations Orchestrated” Bach modestly described his fourth publication of Keyboard Practice pieces as an Aria with Diverse Variations for the Harpsichord Composed for Music Lovers to Refresh their Spirits. 277 years later, the piece easily holds its place as the greatest ever work of its kind. The story that it was written for the young J.G. Goldberg, one of Bach’s occasional students, to play at night when his boss, the sickly Count Keyserlingk, could not sleep, is probably not true. But it remains a lovely story. The music is satisfying on so many levels that it could probably help anyone to do anything, not limited to sleeping. The work has been arranged various times, and this program is Jonathan Salzedo’s new, original version for five-part string ensemble, with one variation scored for the Rubinstein-Salzedo family (recorder, violin, and harpsichord).
7 PM
Los Altos Lutheran
460 S El Monte Ave, Los Altos
$30-50
www.albanyconsort.org/next-concert or 408-480-0182
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
Claudio Monteverdi, Vespro della Beata Vergine (“Vespers of 1610”), Magnificat a 6 voci. Like the most treasured works of art and spectacular architectural wonders, a handful of musical masterworks of the Baroque have taken their places in the hearts of music lovers for all time. Our 29th subscription season continues with Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine (also known as the “Vespers of 1610”), a monumental work that displays its composer’s brilliant assimilation of styles—old and new, sacred and secular—and his masterful command of a wide palette of musical structures including psalm settings, sacred concertos, hymns, motets, and sonatas, all bound together by Gregorian chant. With soloists Nils Brown, tenor; Katelyn Aungst & Julie Bosworth, sopranos; Nicholas Burns & Jay Carter, countertenors; Steven Brennfleck & Jonathan Smucker, tenors; David McFerrin, baritone; William Meinert & Jeffrey Fields, basses; and the American Bach Choir.
8 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
Tickets online $35 to $89
415-621-7900, [email protected]
http://americanbach.org
SFEMS presents Wildcat Viols
“The Magnifick Consort of Four Parts: Fantasies, Suites and Sonatas for viol quartet” The second half of the 17th century witnessed the rise of violin-dominated chamber and orchestral genres, but the viola da gamba continued to inspire some of the most profound and astonishing music of early baroque. The viol consort’s increasing rarity seemed to invite the special attentions of some of the era’s finest composers, whose most daring and unusual musical ideas would find perfect expression in the intimately passionate sound-world of the viol ensemble. Joanna Blendulf, treble viol; Julie Jeffrey, tenor viol; Annalisa Pappano, tenor viol; Elisabeth Reed, bass viol, perform masterworks by three of these composers: the exquisite “Fantazias of four parts” by Henry Purcell, Matthew Locke’s “Magnifick consort of 4 parts,” and Giovanni Legrenzi’s lively and intense “Sonate à quatro viole da gamba.” Wildcat Viols explores this music’s kaleidoscopic variety of colors and moods with fearless depth and sensitivity. Read more . . .
8 PM
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
2627 College Ave. (at Garber), Berkeley
General $45, Seniors $40.50, SFEMS Members $38.25, Students $15
Buy tickets online or phone 510-528-1725
www.sfems.org
Sunday, April 8
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
Claudio Monteverdi, Vespro della Beata Vergine (“Vespers of 1610”), Magnificat a 6 voci. Like the most treasured works of art and spectacular architectural wonders, a handful of musical masterworks of the Baroque have taken their places in the hearts of music lovers for all time. Our 29th subscription season continues with Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine (also known as the “Vespers of 1610”), a monumental work that displays its composer’s brilliant assimilation of styles—old and new, sacred and secular—and his masterful command of a wide palette of musical structures including psalm settings, sacred concertos, hymns, motets, and sonatas, all bound together by Gregorian chant. With soloists Nils Brown, tenor; Katelyn Aungst & Julie Bosworth, sopranos; Nicholas Burns & Jay Carter, countertenors; Steven Brennfleck & Jonathan Smucker, tenors; David McFerrin, baritone; William Meinert & Jeffrey Fields, basses; and the American Bach Choir.
8 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell St., San Francisco
Tickets online $35 to $89
415-621-7900, [email protected]
http://americanbach.org
Katherine Heater, Harpsichord; Anthony Martin, Violin
“Bach & Sons” Featuring fantasias and sonatas by (father) J.S.; sons W.F., C.P.E., J.C.F., & J.C.; and —special bonus— (grand)son W.F.E. A benefit concert for the Friends Committee on Legislation of California (FCLCA.org)
8 PM
Palo Alto Friends Meetinghouse
957 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto
Donation at the door: $25 adult, $15 age 16 and under
All donations to benefit the FCLCA
Wheelchair accessible
http://www.pafm.org, 650-322-2455
MusicSources presents Jean-Luc Ho, Harpsichord
Henry Purcell and Friends Jean-Luc Ho, is a rising talent in the French early music scene. His particular sensitivity to early repertoire has made him a favourite in many festivals across Europe. In this concert, he will play rarely heard works from Restoration England.
5 PM
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman St., Berkeley
$30 non members, $25 MusicSources members and seniors, $10 students 18 yrs. or younger
510-528-1685 or
[email protected]
www.musicsources.org
San Francisco Bach Choir, Magen Solomon, Director
“The Music of Bach, the Gospel of John, and Religious Intolerance,” A community discussion presented by the San Francisco Bach Choir. In advance of their May performances of Bach’s St. John Passion, the Choir will present a panel of four scholars—Tom Hall (Moderator), Baltimore Choral Arts Society; Jonathan Sheehan, UC Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion; Kirsi I. Stjerna, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; John Efron, Koret Professor of Jewish History, UC Berkeley—to illuminate the work’s historical and musical context, as well as explore the impact of anti-Semitism during Bach’s time and beyond. We hope to appreciate how Bach’s artistic choices shape our experience of this horrific, yet inspiring and deeply human narrative, and in so doing develop some insight into our own prejudices and vulnerabilities in today’s world. Attendees will be invited to join the conversation following the panel discussion.
2 PM
Google Community Space
188 Embarcadero, San Francisco (enter on Steuart St.)
FREE (pre-registration required)
Tickets and information available at www.sfbach.org
SFEMS presents Wildcat Viols
“The Magnifick Consort of Four Parts: Fantasies, Suites and Sonatas for viol quartet” The second half of the 17th century witnessed the rise of violin-dominated chamber and orchestral genres, but the viola da gamba continued to inspire some of the most profound and astonishing music of early baroque. The viol consort’s increasing rarity seemed to invite the special attentions of some of the era’s finest composers, whose most daring and unusual musical ideas would find perfect expression in the intimately passionate sound-world of the viol ensemble. Joanna Blendulf, treble viol; Julie Jeffrey, tenor viol; Annalisa Pappano, tenor viol; Elisabeth Reed, bass viol, perform masterworks by three of these composers: the exquisite “Fantazias of four parts” by Henry Purcell, Matthew Locke’s “Magnifick consort of 4 parts,” and Giovanni Legrenzi’s lively and intense “Sonate à quatro viole da gamba.” Wildcat Viols explores this music’s kaleidoscopic variety of colors and moods with fearless depth and sensitivity. Read more . . .
4 PM
Church of the Advent
261 Fell St., San Francisco
General $45, Seniors $40.50, SFEMS Members $38.25, Students $15
Buy tickets online or phone 510-528-1725
www.sfems.org
Santa Cruz Baroque Festival
J.S. Bach The Musical Offering In 1747 J.S. Bach visited Potsdam, where the Emperor Frederick challenged him to prove his musical ability by immediately improvising on a theme composed by the Emperor himself. Bach’s genius prevailed, and this collection of canons and fugues are the result. This intricate music exemplifies the counterpoint nature of the challenge, with notes choreographed against one another in the “classic rock” style of High Baroque. This concert includes other works of Bach, and invites you to step into the heart of the dark, dramatic challenge of an Emperor. Edwin Huizinga, Baroque violin; Lars Johannesson, traverso flute; Adaiha McAdam Somer, viola da gamba; and Linda Burman-Hall, harpsichord, perform.
3 PM
UC Santa Cruz Recital Hall
Meyer Drive, UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz
$35/$25/$22/$10
Tickets online, 831-457-9693, or www.scbaroque.org
John Tyson Mini-Course
This mini course is designed especially for those players who have wanted to attend music workshops but felt it difficult to keep up with the group or the conductor, whether because rhythm skills need honing, or difficulty perceiving when one is out of sync with other players in the room, whether in a large group or small. While he is on a rare trip to California, John Tyson will teach a half-day workshop specifically designed for players who would like to improve their ensemble skills. This is class for players who have already learned the notes on at least one size of recorder and want to be able to play successfully in a group environment. John is a teacher of students of all ages and abilities, a long-time proponent of playing the recorder as an accessible and satisfying means of enjoying playing music no matter when one begins. He is patient and thorough. For an example of John’s teaching, see the video on the American Recorder Society website entitled “Recorder Power!” which he produced in collaboration with The ARS and the National Endowment for the Arts.
2–5 PM
Christ Church Lutheran
1090 Quintara Street (at 20th Ave.), San Francisco
$35.
Please fill out this PDF and return to the email address below soon so that John can prepare his program accordingly.
[email protected] or 415-377-4444
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
