Monday, February 22
American Bach Soloists
American Bach Soloists presents a master class in baroque oboe with Debra Nagy.
7:30 PM
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
50 Oak St., San Francisco
Free
415-921-7900
Wednesday, February 24
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, February 26
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).
8 PM
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church,
3 Bay View Ave., Belvedere
$30–$72
Tickets online or 415-621-7900
Barefoot Chamber Concerts
Se Piace (Katherine Heater, harpsichord; Anthony Martin, violin; and David Morris, viola da gamba and cello) perform music of C.P.E. Bach. Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach, the fifth child of JSB, is one of the great originals of his time. His unique style developed from the conservative but very elegant style favored by the his first employer Frederick the Great, in Berlin, to the new galant “sensitive” style that was in vogue in Hamburg, where he was next employed. He was the most highly regarded composer in his time, and was extremely prolific. His reputation continued for at least a century afterwards; Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven all referred to him as “the master.” However, the revival of classical and baroque music in the 19th century overlooked his music precisely because it is neither fully “baroque” nor fully “classical.” Because of his “transitional” style, until recently he was simply thought of as one of (JS) Bach’s sons, or as a precursor of the great classical composers. Only now are we realizing the full extent of his genius, and the extraordinary range of his musical language. We are lucky that 3 of the Bay Area’s finest have taken the time to focus on this very unusual music. It is very virtuosic, and because of that, rarely heard. However, Se Piace are the right team for the job, and they have a treat in store for us. Snax there will be.
6 PM
Parish Hall, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Tickets $15 (new unitary ticket price) 18 and under admitted free and welcome. Purchase at the door or reserve in advance online.
Cal Performances
Jordi Savall, viol, and Frank McGuire, Bodhrán “The Celtic Viol in the English, Irish, Scottish, and American Traditions.” With his characteristic incisive scholarship and generous musical spirit, Catalan viola da gambist Jordi Savall presents a musical tour of Scottish, English, American, and Irish folk and art music, with Frank McGuire (bodhrán). Savall and McGuire play melancholy laments, elegant dances, and lively reels and jigs. “It’s not just his technical virtuosity…nor the sweet, plangent sounds he draws from his variously sized instruments. The art of Savall goes far deeper, right to the heart of his reverent, wholehearted approach to making music” (The Herald, Scotland).
8 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
Tickets start at $85
SOLD OUT Add yourself to a list that will announce tickets if they become available.
California Bach Society, Paul Flight, Director
“Oratorios and Dialogues” Three splendid examples of mid-seventeenth century music-drama. Giacomo Carissimi’s Jonah and the Whale is a miniature sacred opera whose solo arias and choral commentaries are full of vivid drama. La Reniement de Saint Pierre, by Carissimi’s pupil Marc-Antoine Charpentier, brings to life the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Heinrich Schütz’s Weib, was weinest du? is a work of wringing pathos as the men and women of the chorus assume character roles to enact Jesus’ appearance at the tomb to comfort Mary Magdalene. These are unsung gems of the period. As John Eliot Gardiner put it: “To dig these out of the archives is one of the most rewarding activities of the twenty-first century musician.” Read more . . .
8 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
General admission $28 in advance, or $33 at the door; senior $20 advance or $24 door. Students and under 30 always pay $10.
SFEMS members receive a $5 discount on the advance purchase price when using promotion code “SFEMS” until 5 PM, Thursday, October 15.
Order by phone at 650-485-1097 or online at www.calbach.org/tickets.pl.
Humanities West
“The Renaissance World of Cervantes and Shakespeare” A lecture by Roland Greene (Stanford) and musical performance by Gallimaufry chamber chorus (Shira Kammen. director, bowed strings; Michelle Levy, bowed strings; Peter Maund, percussion), performing music from the time of Cervantes and Shakespeare, including settings of their texts. If one were born into the Spain and England of 1547 and 1564, as Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare respectively were, what events in history, intellectual life, and literature would have mattered in the making of one’s early work as a writer? Roland Greene explores the common elements in the world-views of these two European contemporaries who came to define the literature of their time. Both of them lived under absolutist monarchs, observed changing intellectual paradigms, pondered the challenges of the Americas, and explored several available literary genres as ways of capturing a complex reality. At the same time, their differences—in religion and national perspective, among other things—are important too. Weighing likenesses and differences, we will approach an understanding of these two figures in relation to each other and to the world they had in common.
7:30 PM
Marines Memorial Theat
609 Sutter Street, San Francisco
$55
415-392-4400 www.cityboxoffice.com
Saturday, February 27
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).
8 PM
First Congregational Church,
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
$30–$72
Tickets online or 415-621-7900
California Bach Society, Paul Flight, Director
“Oratorios and Dialogues” Three splendid examples of mid-seventeenth century music-drama. Giacomo Carissimi’s Jonah and the Whale is a miniature sacred opera whose solo arias and choral commentaries are full of vivid drama. La Reniement de Saint Pierre, by Carissimi’s pupil Marc-Antoine Charpentier, brings to life the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Heinrich Schütz’s Weib, was weinest du? is a work of wringing pathos as the men and women of the chorus assume character roles to enact Jesus’ appearance at the tomb to comfort Mary Magdalene. These are unsung gems of the period. As John Eliot Gardiner put it: “To dig these out of the archives is one of the most rewarding activities of the twenty-first century musician.” Read more . . .
8 PM
All Saints Episcopal Church
555 Waverley St., Palo Alto
General admission $28 in advance, or $33 at the door; senior $20 advance or $24 door. Students and under 30 always pay $10.
SFEMS members receive a $5 discount on the advance purchase price when using promotion code “SFEMS” until 5 PM, Thursday, October 15.
Order by phone at 650-485-1097 or online at www.calbach.org/tickets.pl.
SFEMS Baroque Collegium
“Hark the Wondrous Music—Concerted Vocal Works from Italy, Germany, and England. a workshop for voices and instruments, directed by Linda Pearse. This program explores the great compositional changes that occurred in concerted vocal music during the 17th and early 18th centuries. The first half of the day is comprised of works by Italian composer Giovanni Gabrieli and Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck; the second half of works by composers such as George Frideric Handel, J. S. Bach, and Henry Purcell. The day will be divided into two sessions of two and a half hours each. Information about compositional approaches and style will be woven into the rehearsal format, with a primary focus on playing and singing. All pieces will include parts for voices and instruments. lease note that the pitch of the Collegium is now at 440Hz. If you have an instrument pitched at 415Hz or 465Hz you are welcome to participate; transposed parts are available for instruments pitched at both 415Hz and 465Hz.
Read more . . .
9 AM–4 PM
Eden United Church of Christ
21455 Birch St., Hayward
Full Day: SFEMS Members $50 advance, $60 at the door; Non-Members $65 / $75
Half-day: SFEMS Members $30; Non-Members $45
Click Here to Register Online!
San Francisco Renaissance Voices, Katherine McKee, Music Director
“Renaissance Music for Multiple Choirs: Promenade Across the Continent.” Works for multiple choirs—a musical sampler from across Europe, including Scotland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Lowlands. The grand Promenade around Europe will include a northerly jaunt into Scotland, with excerpts from Robert Carver’s Missa dum Sacrum Mysterium. On the Continent we’ll visit the lowlands for Josquin’s 24-voice motet Qui habitat and music by exiled Englishman Peter Philips; tour Germany and Austria for works by Handl, Hassler, and Praetorius; and take a southern excursion for the brilliance of Spanish composers Victoria, Raval, and Guerrero, as well as favorites by that quintessential international genius Orlando di Lasso, including O la, o che bon eccho. SFRV is delighted to be joined for a piece by SFRV: The Next Generation, our newly formed young performers choir of students 12–17 years of age making their debut under our Director of Educational Programs, Derek Tam.
7:30 PM
Old First Church
1751 Sacramento St., San Francisco
Tickets $30 General, $25 Student/Senior
Sunday, February 28
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).
8 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church,
1111 O’Farrell St., San Francisco
$30–$72
Tickets online or 415-621-7900
California Bach Society, Paul Flight, Director
“Oratorios and Dialogues” Three splendid examples of mid-seventeenth century music-drama. Giacomo Carissimi’s Jonah and the Whale is a miniature sacred opera whose solo arias and choral commentaries are full of vivid drama. La Reniement de Saint Pierre, by Carissimi’s pupil Marc-Antoine Charpentier, brings to life the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Heinrich Schütz’s Weib, was weinest du? is a work of wringing pathos as the men and women of the chorus assume character roles to enact Jesus’ appearance at the tomb to comfort Mary Magdalene. These are unsung gems of the period. As John Eliot Gardiner put it: “To dig these out of the archives is one of the most rewarding activities of the twenty-first century musician.” Read more . . .
8 PM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
General admission $28 in advance, or $33 at the door; senior $20 advance or $24 door. Students and under 30 always pay $10.
SFEMS members receive a $5 discount on the advance purchase price when using promotion code “SFEMS” until 5 PM, Thursday, October 15.
Order by phone at 650-485-1097 or online at www.calbach.org/tickets.pl.
Musical Waves House Concert Series
Elaine Thornburgh, harpsichord, performs “Bach and the French Connection.” Johann Sebastian enjoyed a long relationship with French style. He was first captivatedby the French sound and style in his late teens when he heard some French musicians perform in the court of Celle, France, near the German border. The centerpiece of the program will be Bach’s D Minor French Suite. Also on th program are some wonderful stylistically appropriate dance movements written by Rameau, Louis and François Couperin, and others to pair with the Bach pieces. French overture style will also be showcased anchored in Bach’s masterful 16th Goldberg Variation. The program concludes with some of the last French harpsichord compositions.
2 PM
510 48th Ave., San Francisco
$25 suggested donation
415-387-6890 for more information
San Francisco Renaissance Voices, Katherine McKee, Music Director
“Renaissance Music for Multiple Choirs: Promenade Across the Continent.” Works for multiple choirs—a musical sampler from across Europe, including Scotland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Lowlands. The grand Promenade around Europe will include a northerly jaunt into Scotland, with excerpts from Robert Carver’s Missa dum Sacrum Mysterium. On the Continent we’ll visit the lowlands for Josquin’s 24-voice motet Qui habitat and music by exiled Englishman Peter Philips; tour Germany and Austria for works by Handl, Hassler, and Praetorius; and take a southern excursion for the brilliance of Spanish composers Victoria, Raval, and Guerrero, as well as favorites by that quintessential international genius Orlando di Lasso, including O la, o che bon eccho. SFRV is delighted to be joined for a piece by SFRV: The Next Generation, our newly formed young performers choir of students 12–17 years of age making their debut under our Director of Educational Programs, Derek Tam.
7:30 PM
St. Ambrose Catholic Church
1145 Gilman St, Albany
Tickets $30 General, $25 Student/Senior
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
