Marching to a Different Drummer
Assuming knowledge that the San Francisco Symphony is offering Messiah (at Davies Hall, Dec. 21-23) and Colors of Christmas (Dec. 18-20), that the Ballet is doing Nutcracker (Opera House, Dec. 13–30), that Cal Performances has Mark Morris’ Hard Nut (Dec. 14-23), and that ACT is filling Geary Theater wall to wall with A Christmas Carol (Dec. 5-23), let us explore more unusual examples of holiday entertainment.
Philharmonia Baroque
Highlighting 17th-century German sacred music, Philharmonia Baroque is featuring Heinrich Schütz’ Weihnachtshistorie (Christmas story), as well as works by Johann Rosenmüller and Johann Kuhnau. The guest conductor is the famed lutenist virtuoso Konrad Junghänel (see review).
Dec. 12, 8 p.m., Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church; Dec. 14, 8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; $30-$72, (415) 252-1288, www.philharmonia.org.
Konrad Junghänel
Reveling in Christmas
A clown’s holiday memories are offered by Geoff Hoyle in “The Christmas Revels,” a trip through the English countryside with the story of a “Songcatcher,” who collects the songs, dances, and village traditions that mark the turning of the year. Hoyle’s characters include church wardens, farmers, pub keepers, and itinerant music hall performers, who carry on traditions of the Abbots Bromley Stag Horn Dance and the Sussex Mummers Carol, among many others.
Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15-16, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Scottish Rite Theater, Oakland, $15-$50, (510) 452-8800; www.calrevels.org.
Schola Cantorum S.F.
The highly skilled singers of Schola Cantorum San Francisco, under the direction of Paul Flight, turn their attention to Tomás Luis de Victoria’s masterpiece, the Missa O magnum mysterium, which is based on his famous Christmas motet. More Renaissance magic awaits in the second half of the San Francisco Early Music Society concert, featuring music by Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Jean Mouton, and Orlando di Lasso.
Dec. 14, 8 p.m., First Lutheran Church, Palo Alto; Dec. 15, 8 p.m., First Congregational Church, Berkeley; Dec. 16, 3:30 p.m., St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, San Francisco; $25, (510) 528-1725, www.sfems.org.
Peninsula Women’s Chorus
Also on a road less traveled, but more cheerful, Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols is at the center of the concert that opens the Peninsula Women’s Chorus’ 41st season. Besides Britten’s use of plainsong and carols originating in the 15th century, the program includes choral works by Kodály, Jasinski, Olsson, and Pablo Casals. The work by the great cellist is Nigra Sum, with a lush base line that mimics a rich cello line, a sensual soprano line, and some beautiful sixths. The piece celebrates the beauty of being black.
Dec. 16, 3 p.m., Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University, $15-$18, (650) 327-3095, www.pwchorus.org.
Ragazzi Is 20
“Twenty Decembers” is the title of the program and a matter of pride for the Ragazzi Boys Chorus, celebrating its 20th season and holiday concert. The program spans 10 centuries of music, from medieval chant to a 20th-century Ave Maria by Franz Biebl.
Dec. 16, 5 p.m., First Congregational Church, Palo Alto; $10-$25, (650) 342-8731, www.ragazzi.org.
The Boys of Ragazzi
A Prodigy and a Mayor
Unusual is definitely the word for the combination of 11-year-old cellist Clark Pang playing music by Bach and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown acting as narrator in Chamber Music San Francisco’s Classical Christmas Special. Brown’s participation is in a new ballet setting of O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi, choreographed by Arturo Fernandez, and featuring dancer Maurya Kerr. Former San Francisco Opera Center singers Kristin Clayton and Bojan Knezevic will also perform.
Dec. 23, 2 p.m., Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, $10-$40, (415) 392-4500, www.cityboxoffice.com.
Clark Pang
Janos Gereben (janosg@gmail.com) is a regular contributor to San Francisco Classical Voice.
©2007 By Janos Gereben, all rights reserved.