Wednesday, November 29
Early Music Open Mic Night
Join us for Early Music Open Mic Night in the East Bay, 4th Wednesday of the month from September through May. This is your opportunity to perform early music in a friendly cabaret style setting. Instrumentalists, singers, soloists, groups, students, youngsters, professionals — all are welcome! Please email [email protected] with the date you’d like to perform. Time slots will be up to 15 minutes, and there will be six time slots on each night. A Roland state of the art harpsichord/organ will be available on site as well as a regular piano. Food and drinks will be provided.
7–9:30 PM
Hillside Community Church,
1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
Donations gratefully accepted
[email protected]
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
Trinity Church, Angus Hall
330 Ravenswood Ave. (at Laurel), Menlo Park
650-591-3648 or mpro-online.org
Thursday, November 30
Dominic Schaner, lute
“The Garden of Music: Virtuoso Pieces for Lute from the Late Renaissance” The Garden of Music presents the history and music of the lute through the examination of two important late Renaissance sources: The Siena Manuscript (ca. 1590) and Hortus Musicalis Novus (1615). These sources feature highly developed abstract (polythematic, imitative, polyphonic) works for lute (in a High Renaissance style) during a transitional time in the history of music (during the development of opera and the baroque style). The legacy of il divino Francesco da Milano (1497–1543) is illuminated in these collections; Francesco’s fantasias are reproduced, ornamented and used as compositional references in both of these sources. (During this lecture-recital, we will examine the art of compositional process & form, the variety of regional taste and aesthetics, the transition from Renaissance music to baroque music, and the legacy of il divino Francesco da Milano.)
7:30 PM
Many Rivers Books and Tea
130 S. Main Street (Suite 101), Sebastopol
Suggested donation $5
http://www.manyriversbooks.com/t11_4.html
Voices of Music
Virtuoso Concerto Holiday Celebration. Celebrate the holidays with us. Elizabeth Blumenstock, Maria Caswell, Lisa Grodin, Katherine Heater, Kati Kyme, Carla Moore, Farley Pearce, Hanneke van Proosdij, Elisabeth Reed, William Skeen, David Tayler and Tanya Tomkins bring you another exuberant evening featuring Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 6, as well as virtuoso concertos by Geminiani, Sarro and Vivaldi. Ever hear a concerto by Domenico Natale Sarro? Join Voices of Music for an evening with your favorite well-known concerti and also be delighted by music that is new to you. Program includes J.S. Bach, Brandenburg Concert No. 6, BWV 1051; Francesco Geminiani/Antonio Vivaldi La Folia; and Domenico Natale Sarro Recorder Concerto in D Minor.
8 PM
All Saints Episcopal Church
555 Waverly St., Palo Alto
$5–$40
Tickets online or 415-260-4687
Friday, December 1
Barefoot Chamber Concerts presents the Sylvestris Quartet
“Quartet Metamorphosis Part 2: Beethoven to Ravel” The Sylvestris Quartet (Anna Washburn and Tyler Lewis, violins; Aaron Westman, viola; and Gretchen Claassen, cello) continues their exploration of the metamorphosis of the string quartet and the cyclical nature of music. Part 1 began with Biber and went all the way to “late” Beethoven (and then went back to Biber). In Part 2, they’ll play works from Beethoven to George Onslow (the “French Beethoven”), and Maurice Ravel, and track the string quartet not only as a compositional form, but also as an ensemble. There will, of course, be snax, and the newly acoustically refurbished hall at the El Cerrito Hillside Swedenborgian will be the perfect space to venture into the intricate world of Barefoot favorites Onslow and Ravel. Yes, the French did have classical music, you just seldom hear it! But Sylvestris will see to that.
6:30 PM
Hillside Swedenborgian Church
1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
All tickets $15. Youth and children
18 and under admitted free and welcome.
Tickets at the door or order online
California Bach Society, Paul Flight, Director
“Christmas in Poland and the Baltic Countries” Our tradition of exploring the holiday music of other regions continues with a visit to Poland and the Baltics. Musical activity in Poland began to increase in earnest during the 17th century, when the polychoral style was introduced to the courts of Warsaw and Krakow. We present the Magnificat by Mikolaj Zielenski for three choirs, a fine example of this technique. From the Baltic region, we present music by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, including his lively Bogoroditse Devo from the Orthodox vesper liturgy, and two works by his compatriot Veljo Tormis: Winter Patterns for women’s voices and Joulud Tulevad (Christmas is Coming) for men’s voices.. Read more . . .
8 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
$35 (discounts for seniors and students)
Tickets online, [email protected] or 650-485-1097
http://www.calbach.org
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
San Francisco Renaissance Voices — PERFORMANCE CANCELED
“An Elizabethan Christmas” This costumed performance that takes place in the court of Elizabeth I will feature the choral music of the Yuletide season from the Renaissance and beyond performed by our stellar singers, including a special surprise or two. Audience favorite, soprano Susan Gundunas (of Phantom of the Opera and Opera San Jose), joins the ensemble once again in her role of Queen Elizabeth. Included in this festive evening will be lots of opportunity for you to sing favorites of the season along with us – and our traditional Milk and Christmas Cookie Reception follows the concert (and includes wine, mead or champagne for those of you who are lactose intolerant)!
7:30 PM
Trianon Theatre
72 North 5th St., San Jose
Tickets $30 general admission, $25 student/senior, $20 child age 12 or younger – at the door 1/2 hour before each concert or on-line at www.SFRVoices.org
Derek Tam, harpsichord, and Erik Andersen, viola da gamba
Derek Tam and Erik Andersen offer a concert of German baroque music. Featured works include Johannes Schenk, Sonata No. 2 from L’Echo du Danube Op. 9; Johann Friederich Ruhe, Sonata No. 2 in A minor; Georg Muffat, Passacaglia in G minor from Apparatus Muisco-Organisticus; and J.S. Bach, “Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother,” BWV 992, and Sonata No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1027.
8 PM
Episcopal Church of the Incarnation
1750 29th Ave, San Francisco
Tickets online $20/$15
[email protected], 415-564-2324
Saturday, December 2
California Bach Society, Paul Flight, Director
“Christmas in Poland and the Baltic Countries” Our tradition of exploring the holiday music of other regions continues with a visit to Poland and the Baltics. Musical activity in Poland began to increase in earnest during the 17th century, when the polychoral style was introduced to the courts of Warsaw and Krakow. We present the Magnificat by Mikolaj Zielenski for three choirs, a fine example of this technique. From the Baltic region, we present music by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, including his lively Bogoroditse Devo from the Orthodox vesper liturgy, and two works by his compatriot Veljo Tormis: Winter Patterns for women’s voices and Joulud Tulevad (Christmas is Coming) for men’s voices.. Read more . . .
8 PM
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
555 Waverley St. Palo Alto
$35 (discounts for seniors and students)
Tickets online, [email protected] or 650-485-1097
http://www.calbach.org
Marin Baroque presents the Sylvestris Quartet
“Quartet Metamorphosis Voume 2: Beethoven to Ravel” The Sylvestris Quartet (Anna Washburn and Tyler Lewis, violins; Aaron Westman, viola; and Gretchen Claassen, cello) continues their exploration of the metamorphosis of the string quartet and the cyclical nature of music. Part 1 began with Biber and went all the way to “late” Beethoven (and then went back to Biber). In Part 2, they’ll play works from Beethoven to George Onslow (the “French Beethoven”), and Maurice Ravel, and track the string quartet not only as a compositional form, but also as an ensemble. Marin Baroque is a chamber choir and period instrument orchestra directed by Daniel Canosa.
8 PM
First Presbyterian Church San Anselmo
72 Kensington Rd, San Anselmo
$30/$25/$10. Youth and children
18 and under admitted free and welcome.
Tickets at the door or order online
San Francisco Bach Choir, Magen Solomon, Director
“Candlelight and Starlight” Kick off your holiday season with the San Francisco Bach Choir’s beloved candlelight concert! Bring the whole family for a festive, meaningful Christmas journey around the world and through the centuries, including a world premiere by Oakland composer Ted Allen, commissioned by SFBC. The Bach Choir will surround you with candlelight and song to create an unforgettable experience. And sing along with us on the carols, accompanied by handbells, cornettos, sackbuts and shawms.
4 PM
Calvary Presbyterian Church
2515 Fillmore (at Jackson), San Francisco
$10–$35, youth (under 19) free
Tickets online
855-4SF-BACH (855-473-2224, toll-free) or [email protected]
http://sfbach.org
San Francisco Renaissance Voices — PERFORMANCE CANCELED
“An Elizabethan Christmas” This costumed performance that takes place in the court of Elizabeth I will feature the choral music of the Yuletide season from the Renaissance and beyond performed by our stellar singers, including a special surprise or two. Audience favorite, soprano Susan Gundunas (of Phantom of the Opera and Opera San Jose), joins the ensemble once again in her role of Queen Elizabeth. Included in this festive evening will be lots of opportunity for you to sing favorites of the season along with us – and our traditional Milk and Christmas Cookie Reception follows the concert (and includes wine, mead or champagne for those of you who are lactose intolerant)!
7:30 PM
Episcopal Church of the Incarnation
1750 29th Avenue, San Francisco
Tickets $30 general admission, $25 student/senior, $20 child age 12 or younger – at the door 1/2 hour before each concert or on-line at www.SFRVoices.org
University of California Davis Early Music Ensemble, David Nutter, director emeritus
“Bach Cantatas” One of Bach’s earliest surviving sacred cantatas, Aus der Tieffen (Out of the deep I call, Lord, to you) BWV 131, is set to Luther’s translation of Psalm 130. The same text has been used in many other musical settings, including the De profundis section of many requiem masses, perhaps suggesting it was composed for a somber occasion. The cantata also features the hopeful chorale “Herr Jesu Christ.” Program also includes a Magnificat by Claudio Monteverdi and music of Purcell, Josquin, Isaak, Taverner and Tallis.
7 PM
Ann E. Pitzer Center
144 Hutchison Dr., Davis
tickets online $10–$20
530-754-2787
Voices of Music
Virtuoso Concerto Holiday Celebration. Celebrate the holidays with us. Elizabeth Blumenstock, Maria Caswell, Lisa Grodin, Katherine Heater, Kati Kyme, Carla Moore, Farley Pearce, Hanneke van Proosdij, Elisabeth Reed, William Skeen, David Tayler and Tanya Tomkins bring you another exuberant evening featuring Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 6, as well as virtuoso concertos by Geminiani, Sarro and Vivaldi. Ever hear a concerto by Domenico Natale Sarro? Join Voices of Music for an evening with your favorite well-known concerti and also be delighted by music that is new to you. Program includes J.S. Bach, Brandenburg Concert No. 6, BWV 1051; Francesco Geminiani/Antonio Vivaldi La Folia; and Domenico Natale Sarro Recorder Concerto in D Minor.
8 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell (at Gough), San Francisco
$5–$40
Tickets online or 415-260-4687
Sunday, December 3
BAMPFA presents Vajra Voices, Karen R. Clark, Director
“Circles of Mystery” A sublime program of medieval and contemporary music. This concert includes music by Hildegard von Bingen, Guillaume de Machaut, and the extraordinary composer-cellist-vocalist Theresa Wong, who joins Vajra Voices for her new work To Burst, to Bloom: Songs on Poems of the 12th Century Taoist Immortal Sun Bu’Er, composed especially for Vajra Voices
7 PM
Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center St., Berkeley
Concert ticket free with admission to the museum
For more details, visit www.bampfa.org
California Bach Society, Paul Flight, Director
“Christmas in Poland and the Baltic Countries” Our tradition of exploring the holiday music of other regions continues with a visit to Poland and the Baltics. Musical activity in Poland began to increase in earnest during the 17th century, when the polychoral style was introduced to the courts of Warsaw and Krakow. We present the Magnificat by Mikolaj Zielenski for three choirs, a fine example of this technique. From the Baltic region, we present music by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, including his lively Bogoroditse Devo from the Orthodox vesper liturgy, and two works by his compatriot Veljo Tormis: Winter Patterns for women’s voices and Joulud Tulevad (Christmas is Coming) for men’s voices.. Read more . . .
4 PM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
$35 (discounts for seniors and students)
Tickets online, [email protected] or 650-485-1097
http://www.calbach.org
San Francisco Bach Choir, Magen Solomon, Director
“Candlelight and Starlight” Kick off your holiday season with the San Francisco Bach Choir’s beloved candlelight concert! Bring the whole family for a festive, meaningful Christmas journey around the world and through the centuries, including a world premiere by Oakland composer Ted Allen, commissioned by SFBC. The Bach Choir will surround you with candlelight and song to create an unforgettable experience. And sing along with us on the carols, accompanied by handbells, cornettos, sackbuts and shawms.
4 PM
Calvary Presbyterian Church
2515 Fillmore (at Jackson), San Francisco
$10–$35, youth (under 19) free
Tickets online
855-4SF-BACH (855-473-2224, toll-free) or [email protected]
http://sfbach.org
San Francisco Performances presents New York Polyphony
“Sing Thee Nowell” Works By Philippe Verdelot, Tomás Luis Da Victoria, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Alexander Craig and others—a program that spans nine centuries of music, in a fusion of historically informed performance of traditional works with new compositions.
7 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
Tickets online $55/$30
http://sfperformances.org/ or 415-677-0325
Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble, Mitchell Covington, Artistic Director
“Rejoice! Rejoice!” A concert of sacred Renaissance and baroque masterworks, featuring works by Bach, Porpora, Hasse, Charpentier, Cozzolani, Vivaldi and Victoria. In keeping with Voci’s commitment to music written for, or by, women, all of the works performed in this concert were originally written for women’s voices. The concerts will feature a rare presentation of Nicola Porpora’s inspiring work, Laetatus sum, a work we believe has never been performed in the United States. Porpora wrote this text for the women of Venice’s Ospedale della Pietà. With guest artist MacKenzie Covington, soprano, and the Jubilate Baroque Orchestra.
This performance will be offered as a free community event, as part of the Notes for Nourishment concert series, a project of Listen for Life. The Notes for Nourishment series brings together artists across cultures and traditions in concerts to feed the soul. Donations will benefit the Alameda Food Bank.
3 PM
St. Joseph Basilica
1109 Chestnut St., Alameda
Free All donations to benefit the Alameda Food Bank
[email protected] or 510-531-8714
Parking and additional information at www.vocisings.org
Voices of Music
Virtuoso Concerto Holiday Celebration. Celebrate the holidays with us. Elizabeth Blumenstock, Maria Caswell, Lisa Grodin, Katherine Heater, Kati Kyme, Carla Moore, Farley Pearce, Hanneke van Proosdij, Elisabeth Reed, William Skeen, David Tayler and Tanya Tomkins bring you another exuberant evening featuring Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 6, as well as virtuoso concertos by Geminiani, Sarro and Vivaldi. Ever hear a concerto by Domenico Natale Sarro? Join Voices of Music for an evening with your favorite well-known concerti and also be delighted by music that is new to you. Program includes J.S. Bach, Brandenburg Concert No. 6, BWV 1051; Francesco Geminiani/Antonio Vivaldi La Folia; and Domenico Natale Sarro Recorder Concerto in D Minor.
7:30 PM
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman St., Berkeley
$5–$40
Tickets online or 415-260-4687
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
