St. Louis classical calendar for the week of January 20, 2014

The Bach Society of St. Louis presents a Young Artist Recital featuring 2013-2014 Young Artists and pianist Sandra Geary on Sunday, January 26, at 4 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Place.  "The 2013-2014 Young Artists are joined by pianist Sandra Geary for an afternoon of Bach solo arias and duets in addition to personal favorites from operatic and recital repertoire. Enjoy hearing soprano Mary Beth Freitag, mezzo soprano Laura Beth Codispoti, tenor Jake Tackett, and bass Ravi Raghuram on their path to careers as soloists."  For more information: www.bachsociety.org.

Eliot Unitarian Chapel presents a Friends of Music Concert on Sunday, January 26, at 3 PM.  The concert features music by Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Brahms.  Eliot Unitarian Chapel is at 100 South Argonne in Kirkwood.  For more information: fomcstl.org.

Rich O'Donnell

HEARding Cats Collective presents Hear What You Don't See, featuring HCC's artistic directors Rich O'Donnell and Doc Mabuse, on Friday, January 24, at 7:30 PM.  "Long time St. Louis percussion and improvising musician Rich O'Donnell will join master syntheist Doc Mabuse for a continuation of their explorations into "theaters of senses." O'Donnell will play his self-invented "SeeSaw percussion," while Mabuse joins him on analog synthesizer and guitar."  The performance takes place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar.  For more information: www.heardingcatscollective.org.

The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presents Festival of Four in concert on Saturday, January 25, at 8 PM.  "This group is beloved both here and around the world for their joyful playing of folk and traditional music of many countries, performed on a variety of flutes and fretted instruments. Last here in 2009, the Festival of Four returns to St. Louis for a fifth time."  The performance takes place at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road.  For more information: www.guitarstlouis.net.

Brett Dean

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents the third in a series of "Beethoven Festival" concerts, as David Robertson conducts the orchestra and viola soloist Brett Dean in Beethoven’s "Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica)" along with Dean’s "Viola Concerto" and "Testament."  Performances take place on Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, January 24 and 25, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  "Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 pioneered a bold new direction as he expanded the symphonic form into a dramatic masterpiece unfolding with energy and vigor. Astounding audiences since its debut, this work continues to awe listeners with its rhythmic power. Australian violist Brett Dean makes his STL Symphony debut performing his Viola Concerto, a work full of compelling storytelling."  Following the Friday performance, the symphony presents "Ask David," an informal Q&A with David Robertson on the Orchestra level of the Powell Hall.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents a Pulitzer Series Concert on Wednesday, January 22, at 7:30 PM.  David Robertson will conduct members of the St. Louis Symphony in the US premiere of John Cage’s "Three Pieces for Five Orchestras" from 1981.  The performance takes place at the Pultzer Center for the Arts, 3716 Washington.  For more information: stlsymphony.org

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents a town hall meeting to announce its 2014/2015 season on Thursday, January 23, at 6 PM on the state at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  "Join us for a town hall style meeting on the stage of Powell Hall and be the first to learn about STL Symphony concerts planned for the 2014/2015 season. Music Director David Robertson and STL Symphony President & CEO Fred Bronstein will unveil an exciting season and take questions from the audience. Attendees will be treated to a very special five minute performance by STL Symphony first violinist Angie Smart and Circus Flora’s Clowns on Call Conductor Claire Wedemeyer."  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents the Illumine Ensemble on Wednesday, January 22 at 7:30 PM.  "Good food and good music-- two of your favorite things collide! The Illumine Ensemble celebrates St Louis's 250th birthday by shedding a little light on St Louis's culinary history. Enjoy a tasting menu of contemporary and historical foods native to St. Louis while you learn the story behind each of them. Along the way, the Illumine Ensemble pairs each item served with a musical work for a wide-ranging performance including the works of Joplin, Gershwin, Rossini, Mozart, and the one and only Chuck Berry. Did we mention gooey butter cake?"  The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood.  For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Debby Lennon (soprano), Ken Kulosa (cello), and  Alla Voskoboynikova (piano) in an evening of Russian music on Thuersday, January 22 at 7:30 PM.  The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood.  For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents The Wires on Saturday, January 25 at 8 PM.  "The Wires are an alternative exploration in string sound. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, The Wires compose and perform original music for violin and cello. Inspired by a myriad of genres and eclectic sounds, The Wires are not your typical strings group. The project encompasses a blend of wide-ranging styles, from tango to gypsy, jazz to rock and infused with the precision of classical form. Created, composed and performed by Laurel Morgan (violin) and Sascha Groschang (cello)."  The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood.  For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.