Joseph Sargent

Joseph Sargent holds a Ph.D. in musicology from Stanford University and teaches at the University of San Francisco.

Articles By This Author

Ensemble Gombert’s Crystalline Polyphony

Joseph Sargent - September 24, 2009

Some early music ensembles approach the performance of Renaissance polyphony as if it were fine crystal: beautiful, but delicate, a fragile object not to be unduly disturbed. Like crystal, the music can occasionally shimmer and reveal prisms of color when viewed through different angles, but it remains a static object, more a museum piece than a kinetic construct. This analogy aptly summarizes the experience of hearing Ensemble Gombert, a 14-voice chamber choir from Australia specializing in High Renaissance polyphony.

Preview

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.

Review

Exuberantly Baroque

Joseph Sargent - September 14, 2009

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s opening concert of its 2009-2010 season, “Apotheosis of the Dance,” was an exercise in transcending the traditionally defined eras of musical history.

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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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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.

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Old Works for New Century

Joseph Sargent - August 17, 2009

To the uninitiated, the New Century Chamber Orchestra’s 2009-2010 opening concert set, titled “Pictures at an Exhibition: New Traditions,” might appear to emphasize the traditional over the new. At first glance, the lineup seems startlingly traditional, offering two works by J.S. Bach (the Chaconne from the Partita No.

Midsummer Vespers With S.F. Lyric Chorus

Joseph Sargent - August 3, 2009

Summertime typically signals a period of downtime for classical music, as many ensembles enjoy a well-earned hiatus or shift their programming toward lighter fare. Not so for the San Francisco Lyric Chorus, a talented choir under the direction of Robert Gurney.

Preview

Naughty and Nice

Joseph Sargent - July 28, 2009

Traditional notions of “summer fun” evoke a host of images: beach balls, barbecues, baseball. Music lovers should add to this list of B’s the name Banchieri — as in Adriano Banchieri, an Italian Renaissance composer and a pioneer of the madrigal comedy, a collection of madrigals strung together to present a comical story.

Review

In Light of Reason

Joseph Sargent - April 6, 2009

An unmistakable allure surrounds concerts that bring long-neglected music into the new light of day. Aside from the sheer novelty of presenting repertory otherwise seldom available in concert or on recordings, these efforts can prove highly memorable for the listener, who comes away with a distinct feeling of having experienced something special.