The 2016–2017 collaboration between SFEMS and the California Jazz Conservatory continues on Sunday, April 9, with Musica Pacifica (Judith Linsenberg, recorder; Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin; Farley Pearce, viola da gamba; Katherine Heater, harpischord) offering a tribute to Georg Philipp Telemann on this, the 250th anniversary of his death. The program features works by Telemann and his Dresden court colleagues, including Veracini, Pisendel, and W.F. Bach.
Founded in 1990, Musica Pacifica has become widely recognized as one of America’s premier baroque ensembles, lauded for both “dazzling virtuosity” and “warm expressiveness.” They have been described as “some of the finest baroque musicians in America” (American Record Guide) and “among the best in the world” (Alte Musik Aktuell). Individually, the artists perform with Philharmonia Baroque and American Bach Soloists, as well as prominent early music ensembles worldwide. Musica Pacifica has performed on prestigious concert series throughout the U.S., such as The Frick Collection and Music Before 1800 (NY), the Getty Museum (LA), Houston Early Music, Seattle Early Music Guild, et. al. Featured at the Berkeley Early Music Festival four times, their first appearance there was cited in Early Music (UK) as “perhaps the standout of the entire festival.” Their 2015 performance at the Boston Early Music Festival was reviewed as “sensational . . . astonishing . . . breath-taking throughout” by The Boston Musical Intelligencer. They have performed at festivals in Germany and Austria, and have been featured on German National Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, and National Public Radio’s “Performance Today” and “Harmonia.” Musica Pacifica’s nine CD releases on the Virgin Classics, Dorian, Solimar, and Navona labels have won national and international awards.
The concert takes place at the California Jazz Conservatory, 2087 Addison St between Shattuck and Milvia in downtown Berkeley. The venue is one block from downtown Berkeley BART and parking is easily available at the Addison St parking garage. Sunday street parking is free and also relatively easy on a Sunday afternoon. CJC offers a casual and intimate environment where the audience can enjoy a light meal and sip a glass of wine or a cup of coffee while enjoying the concert.
The performance begins at 4:30 p.m. at the California Jazz Conservatory, 2087 Addison Street, Berkeley. Tickets are $20 (general admission) and are available online. Reservations are recommended.
