Harvesting the fruits of fall – a classical calendar
As the chill of summer fog gives way to Indian summer, our Bay Area musicians are revving up for the start of a new season. Here are some promising concerts in September that will get you in the mood for the marathon events of a hot October.
On Sept. 7 the San Francisco Symphony opens their season with a sizzling gala, a fundraiser for their many outreach programs that includes appearances by soprano Renée Fleming and mezzo Susan Graham and a high-energy dance after-party.
But that is only their kick-off. On September 9, 10 and 11 conductor Michael Tilson Thomas will host a Steve Reich mini-festival with two different programs that highlight an American maverick and celebrate his 80th birthday. Energetic chamber group Eighth Blackbird appears on both programs, and soprano Susanna Phillips adds her lustrous voice in songs by Copland and Gershwin.
And then they turn their talents to a classical game-changer, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, on Sept 14 – 17. Those three concerts also include Haydn’s delicacy and Sibelius’ austerity, but on Sunday, Sept. 15 MTT will lead a multi-media performance/lecture devoted solely to Beethoven’s masterpiece. Rick Malone’s podcast is available at sfsymphony.org, and he begins with “It may be the four-note pattern most known in all of music, but they’re also the key to the Symphony itself…” Good stuff!
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the New Century Chamber Orchestra brings on its “Silver Season” with a program that combines the fine talents of this all-string ensemble with pianist Inon Barnaton, the Artist in Association of the New York Philharmonic (and the NY Phil created this position just for him). Mozart’s sprightly Piano Concerto No. 13 and Philip Glass’ surging and powerful Symphony No. 3 will both be on this program, repeated four times around the Bay starting with Berkeley’s First Congregational Church on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 8:00. This will be the final year for Artistic Director Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, an extraordinary violinist whose flair is not to be missed. More information at ncco.org.
Also in September, Donato Cabrera will lead the California Symphony for their opening concert, Sunday, Sept. 18 at 4:00 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts. This rich program combines Kevin Puts’ early experimental Network with Rachmaninoff’s deeply felt Symphony No. 2, and then rounds out with Mozart’s Flute Concerto in G. Information at californiasymphony.org.
At the end of September Cal Performances turns its enthusiasm to Layla and Majnun, a collaborative project between Mark Morris Dance, musicians from Silk road Ensemble, and Azerbaijani mugham singers. This modern take on an ancient Persian opera is the result of Cal Performances’ new cross-genre programming, with an emphasis on inclusion. As part of this residency there will be four films, interviews and symposiums, and community dance classes. Performances held Sept 30 and Oct 1 at 8:00 p.m., and Oct 2 at 3:00 p.m., with films beginning Sept 24 at PFA See calperformances.org for schedule.
October is a very busy month, beginning with a visit to Berkeley by Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra of London. This rare event is hosted by Cal Performances with three different concerts at Zellerbach Hall on Oct 7, 8 and 9 and several ancillary events. This is an extraordinarily ambitious season for Cal Performances – again, see calperformances.org for details.
The Santa Rosa Symphony starts off its season Oct. 8 at Sonoma State’s Weill Hall. This is the last year that Bruno Ferrandis will be conducting here, and his verve is worth seeing. In Saturday’s hefty program he is joined by his brother, the award-winning flutist Jean Ferrandis, for Bernstein’s moving Halil – Concerto for Flute and Strings, and Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1. Also on the program are Beethoven’s good-natured Sym. No. 8 and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes. This program repeats Sun, Oct 9 at 3:00 p.m. and Monday Oct. 10 at 8:00 p.m. (I’m definitely going!) See srsymphony.org for program notes and tickets.
And then there are five concerts on five consecutive days that will keep you hopping, and normally, I would be going to every one of these. On Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. Joana Carneiro leads the Berkeley Symphony in “Romance” at Zellerbach Hall, a program that includes Korngold’s little-known violin gem and a brand new commission by Paul Dresher. Berkeley commissioned Dresher in the past, and his ancient tunings and post-rock sensibilities made it a night to savor. Berkeleysymphony.org
Then on Friday, Oct. 14 at 8:00 p.m. Michael Morgan opens the Oakland Symphony season in the Paramount Theater with bass Hadleigh Adams singing Mahler songs and Red States/Blue States by Berkeley composer Clark Suprynowicz. This program also includes a triple concerto by Juon featuring the Delphi Trio and concludes with Elgar’s lush In the South. See oaklandsymphony.org for program notes and tickets to this blockbuster.
On the following day, Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7:30, the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble joins forces with Volti, a professional vocal group led by Piedmont’s own Robert Geary (also director of the Piedmont Choirs) in Berkeley’s First Congregational Church. This lovely program, titled “Close Correspondence,” will include two World Premieres for string quartet and chorus, and Janacek’s Intimate Letters. They will repeat this program at the SF Conservatory on Monday, Oct. 24. See leftcoastensemble.org for more information.
And finally, on Sunday, Oct. 16 Burlingame’s Music at Kohl Mansion hosts the award-winning Jasper quartet. The Kohl Mansion concerts are always a gracious way to enjoy top chamber music, with a salon-style venue where one can exult in the rich sound, enjoy quips from captivating lecturer Kai Christiansen, watch the quartet mentor younger artists, and then refuel at an after-party where one can talk to the performers. Concert at 7:00 p.m., lecture at 6:00 p.m. and master class at 5:00 p.m. See musicatkohl.org for full program.
Whew! Five concerts in five days? I’m ready right now.
—Adam Broner