Calendar: October 19–25, 2015

Wednesday, October 21

Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra
Regular meeting, for players of recorder, early winds or early strings. Bring your instrument(s) and music stand.

7:30–9:30 PM
Music Room number 060, J.L. Stanford Middle School
480 E. Meadow, Palo Alto
650-591-3648 or mpro-online.org

Friday, October 23

Cal Performances presents Bach Collegium Japan
Pioneers of period-instrument performance in their home country, the Bach Collegium Japan, a baroque chamber orchestra and choir led by esteemed conductor and keyboardist Masaaki Suzuki, is celebrated internationally for superb musicianship and a clear, captivating interpretive style. For its return to Berkeley, the ensemble plays a diverse program of works by its namesake. “I have never heard period instruments played with such purity of tone, so reliably in tune. The small, precise, dramatically alert chorus breathed fire but also revealed a heartbreaking tenderness” (Los Angeles Times). Program includes Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050; Concerto for Oboe d’amore in A Major, BWV 1055; the Trio Sonata from The Musical Offering, BWV 1079; and the cantata for solo soprano Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199.

8 PM
Zellerbach Hall
Lower Sproul Plaza, University of California Berkeley
$62
Tickets online or 510-642-9988

Humanities West
“Dawn of the Italian Renaissance (1275–1400)” opens. This two-day lecture/performance program brings together distinguished scholars, along with acclaimed Bay Area musicians to celebrate the art, architecture, literature and music of the early Italian Renaissance. Learn about Duccio, Giotto, Simone Martini, and Giovanni Pisano as each entered new territory in painting and sculpture, paving the way for later artists such as Masaccio and Brunelleschi. Discover how Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio wrote their masterpieces in verse and prose, which Chaucer would later retrieve and reimagine in the English language. Finally, revel in the music of the time with performances by local artists performing the music of the Trecento and Ars Nova. Speakers include Paula Findlen (Stanford), Carol Lansing (UC Santa Barbara), Max Grossman (University of Texas at El Paso), and David Lummus (Stanford). Musical performances by Bay Area early music specialists Shira Kammen (early strings and voice), Tim Rayborn (percussion, lute, and voice) and Phoebe Jevtovic Rosquist (voice), along with a performance by East Bay ensemble Calextone whose members include Allison Zelles Lloyd (voice and medieval harp), Frances Blaker (recorders and hackbrett), Letitia Berlin (recorders and doucaine), and Shira Kammen (vielle and rebec). A panel discussion with the presenters addressing questions from the audience completes the program. Continues all day Saturday.

7:30–9:30 PM
Marines Memorial Theater
609 Sutter St., San Francisco
Tickets $25–$80.
Tickets online or 415-391-9700
[email protected]

Lacuna Arts Ensemble and Chorale, Sven Edward Olbash, Director
“Hymns to the Virgin” Victoria’s Missa Ave maris stella, and works by Villette, Górecki, and Pärt

8 PM
Star of the Sea
4420 Geary Boulevard (at 8th Avenue), San Francisco
Tickets online $18 advance, $20 at the door. Order in advance and save $5. Online advance sales close at noon the day of the performance.
For more information or to get tickets, visit lacunaarts.org

Anthony Newman and Friends
Anthony Newman, one of the fathers of the historical performance movement in the United States, is known for his passionate, virtuoso performances of the keyboard works of J.S. Bach. Since his 1968 debut album for Columbia Records, Anthony Newman Plays JS Bach on Pedal Harpsichord and Organ, he has challenged the slow, unvarying, and reverential style of playing Bach’s music and has helped restore the original energy to the Baroque repertoire. For one night only, he will be joined by top Bay Area early music specialists in a performance of the works of Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi in the splendid Concert Hall of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Program includes G.F. Handel, Trio Sonata in G Major; A. Vivaldi, Sonata for Violin in D Major; and J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, the Italian Concerto, and the Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor. Performers include Anthony Newman, conductor and harpsichord; Lisa Weiss and Noah Strick, violins; Lisa Grodin, viola; Gretchen Claassen, cello; Kristin Zoernig, bass; and Joshua Romatowski, flute.

8 PM
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall
50 Oak Street, San Francisco
$15 to $50
Tickets online or 415-392-4400.
Information: [email protected]

SFEMS presents Archetti Baroque Strings with Debra Nagy, Baroque Oboe
“Bach and Handel: Concerti for Oboe and Strings” Archetti (Carla Moore, Jolie Einem, David Wilson, and Alicia Yang, violin; Kati Kyme, viola; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, cello; John Dornenburg, violone; and Davitt Moroney, harpsichord) are joined by Debra Nagy, oboe for a celebration of some of the most joyous music by two of the 18th century’s most revered composers. The lyricism of two Handel concerti grossi will be paired with the power and verve of three Bach solo concerti: for harpsichord, for 2 violins, and for oboe and violin. Also a rarely heard concerto for oboe and violin by Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello (ca. 1690–1758). Read more . . .

8 PM
First Presbyterian Church (note new venue!)
1140 Cowper Street at Lincoln, Palo Alto
Tickets: General $40, Seniors $36, SFEMS Members $34, Students $12
Tickets online or 510-528-1725
www.sfems.org

Saturday, October 24

Humanities West
“Dawn of the Italian Renaissance (1275–1400)” continues from Friday night. This two-day lecture/performance program brings together distinguished scholars, along with acclaimed Bay Area musicians to celebrate the art, architecture, literature and music of the early Italian Renaissance. Learn about Duccio, Giotto, Simone Martini, and Giovanni Pisano as each entered new territory in painting and sculpture, paving the way for later artists such as Masaccio and Brunelleschi. Discover how Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio wrote their masterpieces in verse and prose, which Chaucer would later retrieve and reimagine in the English language. Finally, revel in the music of the time with performances by local artists performing the music of the Trecento and Ars Nova. Speakers include Paula Findlen (Stanford), Carol Lansing (UC Santa Barbara), Max Grossman (University of Texas at El Paso), and David Lummus (Stanford). Musical performances by Bay Area early music specialists Shira Kammen (early strings and voice), Tim Rayborn (percussion, lute, and voice) and Phoebe Jevtovic Rosquist (voice), along with a performance by East Bay ensemble Calextone whose members include Allison Zelles Lloyd (voice and medieval harp), Frances Blaker (recorders and hackbrett), Letitia Berlin (recorders and doucaine), and Shira Kammen (vielle and rebec). A panel discussion with the presenters addressing questions from the audience completes the program.

10 AM–4 PM
Marines Memorial Theater
609 Sutter St., San Francisco
Tickets $25–$80.
Tickets online or 415-391-9700
[email protected]

SFEMS presents Archetti Baroque Strings with Debra Nagy, Baroque Oboe
“Bach and Handel: Concerti for Oboe and Strings” Archetti (Carla Moore, Jolie Einem, David Wilson, and Alicia Yang, violin; Kati Kyme, viola; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, cello; John Dornenburg, violone; and Davitt Moroney, harpsichord) are joined by Debra Nagy, oboe for a celebration of some of the most joyous music by two of the 18th century’s most revered composers. The lyricism of two Handel concerti grossi will be paired with the power and verve of three Bach solo concerti: for harpsichord, for 2 violins, and for oboe and violin. Also a rarely heard concerto for oboe and violin by Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello (ca. 1690–1758). Read more . . .

7:30 PM
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
2727 College Ave at Garber, Berkeley
Tickets: General $40, Seniors $36, SFEMS Members $34, Students $12
Tickets online or 510-528-1725
www.sfems.org

San Francisco Renaissance Voices, Katherine McKee, Music Director
“Viva Italy!” Music of the Italian Renaissance featuring Palestrina’s Missa Nasce la gioa mia, based on the madrigal of the same name by Giovan Leonardo Primavera, performed by a sextet of our singers. Also rarely-performed madrigals by Asola, Vecchi, Casulana, Aleotti, Croce, Striggio and Marenzio for three, four, five and six voices

7:30 PM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft , Berkeley
Tickets $30 General, $25 Student/Senior

Andrew Willis, fortepiano
Andrew Willis performs Ludwig van Beethoven Bagatelles, Op. 109, and works by Franz Schubert on an 1822 Viennese piano

6 PM
1722 Capistrano Ave., Berkeley
$25 donation requested
Reservation required
RSVP to [email protected] for seating

Sunday, October 25

Lacuna Arts Ensemble and Chorale, Sven Edward Olbash, Director
“Hymns to the Virgin” Victoria’s Missa Ave maris stella, and works by Villette, Górecki, and Pärt

4 PM
Star of the Sea
4420 Geary Boulevard (at 8th Avenue), San Francisco
Tickets $18 advance, $20 at the door. Order in advance and save $5. Online advance sales close at noon the day of the performance.
For more information or to get tickets, visit lacunaarts.org

SFEMS presents Archetti Baroque Strings with Debra Nagy, Baroque Oboe
“Bach and Handel: Concerti for Oboe and Strings” Archetti (Carla Moore, Jolie Einem, David Wilson, and Alicia Yang, violin; Kati Kyme, viola; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer, cello; John Dornenburg, violone; and Davitt Moroney, harpsichord) are joined by Debra Nagy, oboe for a celebration of some of the most joyous music by two of the 18th century’s most revered composers. The lyricism of two Handel concerti grossi will be paired with the power and verve of three Bach solo concerti: for harpsichord, for 2 violins, and for oboe and violin. Also a rarely heard concerto for oboe and violin by Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello (ca. 1690–1758). Read more . . .

4 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell St. at Gough, San Francisco
General $40, Seniors $36, SFEMS Members $34, Students $12
Tickets online or 510-528-1725
www.sfems.org

San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music SF Music Day
The 9th annual SF Music Day will bring together 33 Bay Area ensembles, including an eclectic array of chamber music, new music, jazz, and creative music. Early music ensemble Bertamo Trio will perform at 12:30 PM.

Noon–10 PM
Herbst Theatre
401 Van Ness (at McAllister), San Francisco
Reserve your free tickets
Complete schedule

San Francisco Renaissance Voices, Katherine McKee, Music Director
“Viva Italy!” Music of the Italian Renaissance featuring Palestrina’s Missa Nasce la gioa mia, based on the madrigal of the same name by Giovan Leonardo Primavera, performed by a sextet of our singers. Also rarely-performed madrigals by Asola, Vecchi, Casulana, Aleotti, Croce, Striggio and Marenzio for three, four, five and six voices

4 PM
St. Bede’s Episcopal Church
2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park
Tickets $30 General, $25 Student/Senior

Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .