Previews

Entering a Many-Splendored Chamber

Jaime Robles - September 14, 2009
The first musical loves of Dominique Pelletey, the visionary behind Chamber Music Day, were folk, punk, and experimental pop. His current love, classical chamber music, offers him the same intimacy, approachability, and focus, but has given him more through its complexity and beauty.
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Thoroughly Handeled

Joseph Sargent - September 14, 2009
Year after year, San Francisco’s early music aficionados can rely on Bay Area ensembles to offer a steady diet of Handel’s music — everything from operas, oratorios, and instrumental works to the inevitable holiday Messiah. In 2009, marking the 250th anniversary of the composer’s death, many of these performances take on special significance.
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Preview

Top Trios Open Top Series

Lisa Petrie - September 14, 2009
This October, don’t miss a chance to hear what a bright new generation of piano trios is bringing to the stage. Two young yet established groups come to the Bay Area to open two favorite chamber music series with a flourish. The Trio Con Brio Copenhagen kicks off the season for Music at Kohl Mansion on Oct.
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Real Vocal String Quartet

Michael Zwiebach - September 9, 2009
Real Vocal String Quartet

Founded by Turtle Island Quartet founding member Irene Sazar, the Real Vocal String Quartet dares to improvise, play clubs, and em

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Thomas Schultz

Michael Zwiebach - September 9, 2009
Thomas Schultz
Despite celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Old First Concerts has an undeservedly low profile in the Bay Area.
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Mark Morris’ Muse

Jaime Robles - September 7, 2009
If music is your passion, then you can do no better than to see and hear the Mark Morris Dance Group in one of its three performances at Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall when Cal Performances kicks off its 2009-2010 season. The dance group will be accompanied by members of its own MMDG Music Ensemble.
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Well-Deserved Fan-dom

Marianne Lipanovich - September 7, 2009
Joel Fan can be described in any number of ways. He’s a brilliant pianist who made his performing debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 11.
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Young British Voices Raised

Joseph Sargent - September 7, 2009
Among England’s cultural treasures, the centuries-long tradition of collegiate choir singing surely ranks at the top of the scale. These university institutions are charged, first and foremost, with the habitual singing of Anglican liturgies, a sacred tradition that has spawned some of England’s finest choral repertory.
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Clerestory's Favorite Things

Jason Victor Serinus - September 7, 2009
With a fraternal nod to Julie Andrews, the men of Clerestory are set to open their fall season with more than a few of their favorite things.
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Philharmonia Baroque Opens With “Apotheosis of the Dance”

Joseph Sargent - August 24, 2009

An aura of glamour seems to surround the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra these days. Its 2009-2010 season, auspiciously titled the “Season of Stars,” is tailor-made for the glitterati, with a lineup of celebrity guest artists that is exceptional even for this ensemble, including Susan Graham, Viktoria Mullova, and Jordi Savall.