Friday, December 11
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to traditional carols, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” (Chanticleer’s most requested Christmas selection) and Chanticleer’s traditional medley of spirituals.
7:30 PM
Memorial Church
Stanford University, Palo Alto
$60
Tickets online
SFEMS presents Magnificat, Warren Stewart, Director
“J.S. Bach, Mass for Advent” Magnificat recreates a Lutheran service for the first Sunday of Advent (the opening of the church year) at St. Thomas of Leipzig in the year 1735. The musical riches of this concert—which is based on Kapellmeister Johann Sebastian Bach’s handwritten notes for the service—will include both Bach’s Cantata Schwingt freudig euch empor BWV 36 and his Mass in G minor; as well as other, separate mass movements, motets, and instrumental works by Bach, Dieterich Buxtehude, Andreas Hammerschmidt, and J.H. Schein; plus liturgical chant and chorales. A final, very satisfying treat of these performances will be that (true to baroque practice) the audience will join with soloists and orchestra in singing the chorales. Read more about this program and its music . . .
8 PM
First Presbyterian Church
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
Sonoma Bach, Robert Worth, Director
“In Sweetest Joy” Our fifth annual Early Music Christmas concert is built around the ancient hymn of joy In dulci jubilo. The program includes an array of vocal pieces by Italian, German, and English composers—including Gabrieli, Schütz, Praetorius, Byrd, and Bach—along with works featuring the magical sound of the cornetto, plus solo works on Schroeder Hall’s magnificent Brombaugh organ. The concert features Circa 1600, Charles Rus (organ), Steve Escher (cornetto) and is directed by Robert Worth. Don’t miss this festive celebration of the season!
8 PM
Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center
1801 E Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park
$25/$15
Tickets online
Saturday, December 12
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Director
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Last presented by ABS in 2008, Johann Sebastian Bach’s vast and inspiring “Christmas Oratorio” (Weihnachts-Oratorium, BWV 248) contains elements of three secular cantatas and an otherwise lost church cantata that Bach synthesized into a single, unified musical expression of the Christmas story. Requiring four vocal soloists, a full complement of wind and brass instruments, and choir, it is an expansive piece comprised of six separate cantatas originally performed over multiple days. With soloists Hélène Brunet, soprano; Agnes Vojtko, alto; Kyle Stegall, tenor; and Jesse Blumberg baritone.
7:30 PM
St. Ignatius Church
650 Parker Avenue, San Francisco
$30–$105
Tickets online or 415-621-7900
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://americanbach.org
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to traditional carols, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” (Chanticleer’s most requested Christmas selection) and Chanticleer’s traditional medley of spirituals.
8:15 PM
Cathedral of Christ the Light
2121 Harrison Street, Oakland
$35–$75
Tickets online
SFEMS presents Magnificat, Warren Stewart, Director
“J.S. Bach, Mass for Advent” Magnificat recreates a Lutheran service for the first Sunday of Advent (the opening of the church year) at St. Thomas of Leipzig in the year 1735. The musical riches of this concert—which is based on Kapellmeister Johann Sebastian Bach’s handwritten notes for the service—will include both Bach’s Cantata Schwingt freudig euch empor BWV 36 and his Mass in G minor; as well as other, separate mass movements, motets, and instrumental works by Bach, Dieterich Buxtehude, Andreas Hammerschmidt, and J.H. Schein; plus liturgical chant and chorales. A final, very satisfying treat of these performances will be that (true to baroque practice) the audience will join with soloists and orchestra in singing the chorales. Read more about this program and its music . . .
7:30 PM
First Congregational Church
Dana and Durant Sts., 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
Fourth Annual Free Family Concert: “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” Don’t miss this traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols, including a festive holiday reception afterwards with San Francisco Renaissance Voices! This event is modeled after the Festival of Lessons and Carols first performed in 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge (England), where it has been performed every year since. There will be plenty of opportunity for you to sing carols along with us to get you into the holiday spirit. A tradition of the festival is to specially commission a new work each year to be performed and we are delighted to premier a new work at this event by Bay Area composer James Hurd. This is a free event and no tickets or reservations are required—our holiday gift to you!
7:30 PM
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
FREE No tickets or reservations required
www.SFRVoices.org
Sonoma Bach, Robert Worth, Director
“In Sweetest Joy” Our fifth annual Early Music Christmas concert is built around the ancient hymn of joy In dulci jubilo. The program includes an array of vocal pieces by Italian, German, and English composers—including Gabrieli, Schütz, Praetorius, Byrd, and Bach—along with works featuring the magical sound of the cornetto, plus solo works on Schroeder Hall’s magnificent Brombaugh organ. The concert features Circa 1600, Charles Rus (organ), Steve Escher (cornetto) and is directed by Robert Worth. Don’t miss this festive celebration of the season!
8 PM
Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center
1801 E Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park
$25/$15
Tickets online
Viola da Gamba Society/Pacifica Chapter
Monthly viol consort playing with guest coach Frances Blaker. Players of all levels welcome. Newcomers please email ahead.
9 AM–3 PM
Hillside Church
1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
RSVP. Please email [email protected]
Sunday, December 13
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Director
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Last presented by ABS in 2008, Johann Sebastian Bach’s vast and inspiring “Christmas Oratorio” (Weihnachts-Oratorium, BWV 248) contains elements of three secular cantatas and an otherwise lost church cantata that Bach synthesized into a single, unified musical expression of the Christmas story. Requiring four vocal soloists, a full complement of wind and brass instruments, and choir, it is an expansive piece comprised of six separate cantatas originally performed over multiple days. With soloists Hélène Brunet, soprano; Agnes Vojtko, alto; Kyle Stegall, tenor; and Jesse Blumberg baritone.
4 PM
Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA
$13.50–$51
Tickets online or 415-621-7900
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://americanbach.org
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to traditional carols, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” (Chanticleer’s most requested Christmas selection) and Chanticleer’s traditional medley of spirituals.
8 PM
St. Ignatius Church
650 Parker, San Francisco
$35–$75
Tickets online
SFEMS presents Magnificat, Warren Stewart, Director
“J.S. Bach, Mass for Advent” Magnificat recreates a Lutheran service for the first Sunday of Advent (the opening of the church year) at St. Thomas of Leipzig in the year 1735. The musical riches of this concert—which is based on Kapellmeister Johann Sebastian Bach’s handwritten notes for the service—will include both Bach’s Cantata Schwingt freudig euch empor BWV 36 and his Mass in G minor; as well as other, separate mass movements, motets, and instrumental works by Bach, Dieterich Buxtehude, Andreas Hammerschmidt, and J.H. Schein; plus liturgical chant and chorales. A final, very satisfying treat of these performances will be that (true to baroque practice) the audience will join with soloists and orchestra in singing the chorales. Read more about this program and its music . . .
4 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell St., San Francisco
Tickets: General $40, Seniors $36, SFEMS Members $34, Students $12
Tickets online or 510-528-1725
www.sfems.org
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
