Monday, April 1
Agave Baroque
“The Young Bachs” Johann Sebastian Bach had twenty children who survived to adulthood! Carl Philipp Emanuel, Wilhelm Friedemann, and Wilhelm Friedrich Ernst were all sons of the composer and his two wives, Maria Barbara and Anna Magdalena, the latter of whom was also a fine musician. These young Bachs were among the best of their generation from a family of legendary musicians. Agave Baroque explores some exciting and brilliant chamber works by these three musicians and siblings.
ATTUNED: A NON-CONCERT EXPERIENCE is the Bay Area’s new and unique invitation to the world of Classical music. Curated by sister ensembles Agave Baroque and Sylvestris Quartet in collaboration with the California Jazz Conservatory, each program invites you to enjoy a cabaret-style show with a multimedia experience and narration that brings you the stories behind the music.
8 PM
Rendon Hall/Fiddler Annex @ California Jazz Conservatory
2040 Addison St., Berkeley
Tickets online $20
510-845-5373, http://www.sylvestrisquartet.org
Tuesday, April 2
Sacramento Recorder Society
Regular meeting for recorder players, with guest conductor Judith Linsenberg. 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
Thursday, April 4
Cal Performances Presents The Tallis Scholars
“Music Inspired by the Sistine Chapel” A magnificent selection of Renaissance choral works composed for and inspired by the choir of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. At the center of the program is a composite mass by Palestrina, the Missa Papae Marcelli, as well as Alexander Campkin’s Miserere Mei for double choir, a new setting commissioned by the ensemble as a response to Gregorio Allegri’s strikingly moving Miserere. The Tallis Scholars are no strangers to this refined repertoire: they were invited to perform in the Sistine Chapel to celebrate the final restoration of the Michelangelo frescoes in 1994.
8 PM
First Congregational Church,
2345 Dana St., Berkeley
$42 and up Please note this performance is sold out.
Tickets online or 510-642-9988
Friday, April 5
East Bay Chapter, ARS
Monthly playing session with guest conductor Andrew Levy. New members and guests welcome.
7:30–10 PM
Zion Lutheran Church
5201 Park Blvd., Oakland
http://www.symbolicsolutions.com/ebrs-web2015/index.html
Saturday, April 6
Foothill Community Concert Series
“Flauti Dolci & Amici II” A delightful collection of chamber music from ensembles representing the Bay Area’s vibrant Early Music scene. These recorder and mixed ensembles will perform music from the Renaissance and baroque eras, as well as modern compositions. Each concert is different, highlighting different groups and styles. Featuring the Belmont Consort, Amaranta, White House Trio, Quartetto Paradiso, Seedy Jail, and the Peralta Consort.
3 PM
Foothill Presbyterian Church
5301 McKee Road, San Jose
Tickets at door $12.50
408-258-8133
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, Nicholas McGegan, Conductor
George Frideric Handel, Saul. Young David has just slain Goliath, earning him the rapturous admiration of the Israelites and the murderous envy of King Saul. This Biblical tale of love and jealousy, madness and mourning, family feuds and supernatural apparitions inspired one of Handel’s most inventive and popular oratorios. Renowned Handel expert Nic McGegan leads an all-star cast through the full dramatic range from tender lyricism to full-throttle triumph and glory. With soloists Sherezade Panthaki, soprano (Michal); Yulia Van Doren, soprano (Merab); Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor (David); Aaron Sheehan, tenor (Jonathan); and Daniel Okulitch, baritone (Saul).
7 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
$32–$120
Tickets online, 415-392-4400, or [email protected]
Singers’ Retreat
Weekend workshop for singers, studying and performing works of Renaissance polyphony, directed by Dr. William Mahrt. Director Bill Mahrt has chosen Francisco Guerrero’s Missa de Beata Virgine (II). This Mass differs from the usual Renaissance Mass in that each of the five movements is based upon different musical material, and the movements vary in mode. It is called a missa choralis (chant Mass), because each movement is based upon a chant melody prescribed for that movement. Thus, the Kyrie will be based upon a Gregorian Kyrie melody, the Gloria on one for a chanted Gloria, and so on. The melodies are those adopted by the Spanish church after the Council of Trent for feasts of the Blessed Virgin. The workshop will read each of these chants before singing the polyphony based upon them. Guerrero published this Mass in 1582. He also published an earlier Missa de Beata Virgine (I) in 1566, based upon the traditional Spanish melodies from before the council. We will read one movement of that Mass just for comparison: We will also sing some of Guerrero’s many beautiful motets. Continuous snack table included.
9 AM Saturday through 5:30 PM Sunday
Saturday session held at Cornell Elementary School, 920 Talbot Ave., Albany
Sunday session held at Albany Community Center 1249 Marin Ave., Albany
$115 (includes music)
PRE-REGISTRATION Ralph Prince ([email protected], 510-778-3253) or Susan McRae (360-259-1231, [email protected]) or visit the Singers’ Retreat website: www.renaissancesingersretreat.org where you find all the information and the registration form for download.
Sunday, April 7
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, Nicholas McGegan, Conductor
George Frideric Handel, Saul. Young David has just slain Goliath, earning him the rapturous admiration of the Israelites and the murderous envy of King Saul. This Biblical tale of love and jealousy, madness and mourning, family feuds and supernatural apparitions inspired one of Handel’s most inventive and popular oratorios. Renowned Handel expert Nic McGegan leads an all-star cast through the full dramatic range from tender lyricism to full-throttle triumph and glory. With soloists Sherezade Panthaki, soprano (Michal); Yulia Van Doren, soprano (Merab); Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor (David); Aaron Sheehan, tenor (Jonathan); and Daniel Okulitch, baritone (Saul).
4 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
$32–$120
Tickets online, 415-392-4400, or [email protected]
Singers’ Retreat
William Mahrt directs members of the Singers’ Retreat in Francisco Guerrero’s Missa de Beata Virgine (II) and selected motets.
4 PM
Albany Community Center
1249 Marin Avenue, Albany
Free. Donation requested to benefit the San Francisco Early Music Society.
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
