Monday, February 29
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Artistic Director
“Alexander’s Feast” Based on a poem by John Dryden, subtitled “The Power of Music,” Handel’s ode Alexander’s Feast recounts a banquet held by Alexander the Great in the conquered city of Persepolis. The musician Timotheus moves the great military commander through a course of emotions until he is compelled to seek revenge for his perished Greek soldiers, killed by the armies of the Persian King Darius III. Handel’s richly scored setting expresses the narrative in a direct manner that is, at times, surprising in its intensity. This evening-length work of some of the composer’s most ambitious and glorious vocal and choral music will feature the acclaimed American Bach Choir and an outstanding trio of vocal soloists, including the Subscription Season debut of soprano Anna Gorbachyova. Following Handel’s tradition of inserting instrumental concertos between the work’s different parts, ABS will perform his Concerto Grosso in C Major and Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major. With soloists Anna Gorbachyova, soprano (debut); Aaron Sheehan, tenor; William Sharp, baritone; and Maria Christina Cleary, harp (debut).
7 PM
Davis Community Church
412 C Street, Davis
$30–$72
Tickets online or 415-621-7900
Tuesday, March 1
Berkeley Baroque Strings
“An Evening of Bach,” featuring “Cantata” Concerto in D with William Skeen, cello; Violin Concerto in E with Kati Kyme, violin; Brandenburg Concerto #3; Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 75; Allegro from Cantata BWV 140; and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata BWV 147.
7:30 PM
St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
2837 Claremont Blvd., Berkeley.
Free (donations gratefully accepted)
www.berkeleybaroquestrings.org
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
Wednesday, March 2
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan, Conductor
“Explore Baroque Europe: From Arne to Zelenka” Nicholas McGegan is your tour guide on this excursion through the heart of Baroque Europe. Experience works written for the most skilled ensembles of Venice and Versailles, Dresden and London – as the virtuoso collective of our age, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, takes center stage. Featured works include Giuseppe Tartini, Violin Concerto in D major; Jean-Philippe Rameau, Suite from Les Fêtes de L’Hymen et de L’Amour; Jan Dismas Zelenka, Hipocondrie à 7 Concertanti; Thomas Arne, Overture to Purcell’s King Arthur; Johann David Heinichen, Concerto in F major, S. 235
7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church
625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto
$25–$105
Tickets, 415-392-4400
Friday, March 4
East Bay Chapter, ARS
Monthly playing session with guest conductor Frances Blaker. New members and guests welcome.
7:30–10 PM
Zion Lutheran Church
5201 Park Blvd., Oakland.
http://www.symbolicsolutions.com/ebrs-web2015/index.html
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan, Conductor
“Explore Baroque Europe: From Arne to Zelenka” Nicholas McGegan is your tour guide on this excursion through the heart of Baroque Europe. Experience works written for the most skilled ensembles of Venice and Versailles, Dresden and London – as the virtuoso collective of our age, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, takes center stage. Featured works include Giuseppe Tartini, Violin Concerto in D major; Jean-Philippe Rameau, Suite from Les Fêtes de L’Hymen et de L’Amour; Jan Dismas Zelenka, Hipocondrie à 7 Concertanti; Thomas Arne, Overture to Purcell’s King Arthur; Johann David Heinichen, Concerto in F major, S. 235
8 PM
Herbst Theatre
401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
$25–$105
Tickets, 415-392-4400
Saturday, March 5
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan. Music Director
Family Concert. Phiharmonia’s internationally renowned Music Director Nicholas McGegan and the full Orchestra will perform masterworks from Baroque Europe on original instruments just like those the composers knew! The popular, annual Family Concert is a FREE event designed for children ages 4-12. (Older students are welcome.) This lively, hour long presentation with visual aids will include an opportunity for the audience to sing or play their own instruments alongside the Orchestra in the Grand Finale. After the concert, Orchestra musicians will demonstrate their fascinating instruments up close and answer questions. Young musicians with some playing experience may try full sized period strings, harpsichord, or flute, thanks to generous loans from Ifshin Violins and MusicSources!
3–4:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Berkeley
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA
Ticket reservations recommended.
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan, Conductor
“Explore Baroque Europe: From Arne to Zelenka” Nicholas McGegan is your tour guide on this excursion through the heart of Baroque Europe. Experience works written for the most skilled ensembles of Venice and Versailles, Dresden and London – as the virtuoso collective of our age, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, takes center stage. Featured works include Giuseppe Tartini, Violin Concerto in D major; Jean-Philippe Rameau, Suite from Les Fêtes de L’Hymen et de L’Amour; Jan Dismas Zelenka, Hipocondrie à 7 Concertanti; Thomas Arne, Overture to Purcell’s King Arthur; Johann David Heinichen, Concerto in F major, S. 235
8 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way (entrance on Dana near Durant), Berkeley
$25–$105
Tickets, 415-392-4400
San Francisco Bach Choir, Magen Solomon, Director
“Many Voices, One Art Choral Festival,” a day-long celebration of Bay Area singing, hosted by the San Francisco Bach Choir. 2016 marks the Bach Choir’s 80th birthday, and they’re throwing a party. Singers of all levels are welcome—no music reading or vocal training necessary. Join the Bach Choir for a fun day of singing, learning, eating (lunch and birthday cake!), and making friends. Workshops on Gospel, chant, singing technique and more, including a focus on J.S. Bach’s immortal Mass in B-minor. Workshop Leaders include Marsha Genensky, Anonymous Four; Terrance Kelly, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir; Trente Morant, Berkeley Broadway Singers; Christa Pfeiffer, vocal coach & soprano; Magen Solomon, SF Bach Choir & SF Choral Artists; Robert Worth, Sonoma Bach Choir; …and more!
10 AM to 4 PM
Calvary Presbyterian Church
2515 Fillmore St. at Jackson, San Francisco
FREE!
Reservations (recommended)
www.sfbach.org
Valley of the Moon Music Festival
“Beethoven Sonatas for Cello and Piano” Tanya Tomkins, cello, and Eric Zivian, fortepiano. Performing Beethoven’s Sonata in G minor, Sonata in C major, Sonata in A major, and Variations in E flat major on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The Valley of the Moon Music Festival features some of the finest Bay Area musicians, performing 18th- and 19th-century chamber music on period instruments.
3 PM
Green Music Center’s Schroeder Hall, Sonoma State University
1801 E Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park
Tickets online $30
866-955-6040 or [email protected]
Sunday, March 6
Barbary Coast Recorder Orchestra, Frances Feldon and Greta Haug-Hryciw, Directors
“Morning Song, Evening Hymn: Music to awaken and inspire by Bach, Blaker, Isaac, Senfl, Martinu, Palestrina, and Purcell, arranged for recorder orchestra. Letitia Berlin and Frances Blaker, guest conductors.
4 PM
Montclair Prebyterian Church
5701 Thornhill Drive, Oakland.
Free-will donations greatly appreciated
[email protected]
Berkeley Baroque Strings
“An Evening of Bach,” featuring “Cantata” Concerto in D with William Skeen, cello; Violin Concerto in E with Kati Kyme, violin; Brandenburg Concerto #3; Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 75; Allegro from Cantata BWV 140; and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata BWV 147.
7:30 PM
St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
2837 Claremont Blvd., Berkeley.
$20
www.berkeleybaroquestrings.org
MusicSources
Harpsichordist/Conductor Joseph Gascho, professor of harpsichord at the University of Michigan, will present music of Girolamo Frescobaldi and Domenico Scarlatti.
5 PM
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley
$30 non members, $25 MusicSources members and seniors, $10 students 18 yrs. or younger
510-528-1685 or
[email protected]
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan, Conductor
“Explore Baroque Europe: From Arne to Zelenka” Nicholas McGegan is your tour guide on this excursion through the heart of Baroque Europe. Experience works written for the most skilled ensembles of Venice and Versailles, Dresden and London – as the virtuoso collective of our age, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, takes center stage. Featured works include Giuseppe Tartini, Violin Concerto in D major; Jean-Philippe Rameau, Suite from Les Fêtes de L’Hymen et de L’Amour; Jan Dismas Zelenka, Hipocondrie à 7 Concertanti; Thomas Arne, Overture to Purcell’s King Arthur; Johann David Heinichen, Concerto in F major, S. 235
4 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way (entrance on Dana near Durant), Berkeley
$25–$105
Tickets, 415-392-4400
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
