St. Louis classical calendar for the week of April 29, 2019

More Bach Festival events enliven the classical scene this week, along with multiple concerts by some or all of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

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The Big Muddy Dance Company

The Bach Society of St. Louis and the Big Muddy Dance Company present Bach in Motion on Thursday, May 2, at 7:30 pm. The concert features a live performance of J.S. Bach's Orchestral Suites accompanied by dance. The performance takes place in the concert hall at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information, www.bachsociety.org.

The Bach Society of St. Louis presents Bach on the Big Screen on Saturday, May 4, at 7 pm. "A unique collaboration combining film and a live musical performance, followed by a short discussion. The featured film, Autumn Sonata, is a Swedish drama written and directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Ingrid Bergman that tells the story of a celebrated classical pianist who is confronted by her neglected daughter." The events takes place in the Winifred Moore Auditorium on the Webster University campus in Webster Groves. For more information, www.bachsociety.org.

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents Pulling Strings on Monday, April 29, at 7:30 pm. The concert features string octets by Beethoven and Mendelssohn as well as a Haydn string trio Performances take place at the Sheldon Ballroom, 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: chambermusicstl.org.  

The Missouri Women's Chorus presents Love Letters on Sunday, May 5, at 3 pm. "Love Letters, by the late composer Stephen Paulus, features letters penned by notable historic women including: Vanessa to Jonathan Swift, Sophia Peabody to Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Catherine of Aragon to Henry VIII. Known for his lush melodies, and mastery of writing for the human voice, Paulus' Love Letters is by turns tender, angry, dramatic, and heart-breaking. Comprised of seven movements with flute and piano, Paulus' music echoes the styles of the times of the letter writers. Don't miss your chance to hear this rarely-performed, beautiful work.The concert also features selections from Juliana Hall's Letters From Edna, a compilation of letters sent by the great American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay." The concert takes place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information: www.missouriwomenschorus.org.

Pianist Olga Kern

The Radio Arts Foundation presents a gala fundraising concert featuring Leonard Slatkin, Olga Kern, Vladislav Kern, and Marlo Thomas, on Tuesday, April 30, beginning at 5:30 pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit RAF-STL and its mission to support classic music radio programming, the arts and cultural institutions within the St. Louis community. The event takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: rafstl.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Pulitzer Foundation present Kinds of Kings on Tuesday, April 30, at 7:30 pm. " The 18/19 Pulitzer series gathers compelling stories from near and far. This final concert celebrates the music of the collective Kinds of Kings, six young composers who are fast becoming a musical force. The concert culminates in a performance of Shelley Washington's SAY, a vibrant work confronting the composer's experience growing up bi-racial in a Missouri suburb." The concert, which is currently sold out, takes place at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Soprano Hila Plitmann

Leonard Slatkin returns to conduct the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and soprano soloist Hila Plitmann Friday at 10:30 am and Saturday at 8 pm, May 3 and 4. The program consists of Barber's Symphony No. 1, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 ("Pathetique") and the world premiere of The Paper Lined Shack by Jeff Beal. Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall in Grand. Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Kevin McBeth conducts the members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra along with the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus in a free community concert on Friday, May 3, at 7 pm. "The concert features gospel music and spirituals, including a special reunion performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing with current chorus members and former members from the chorus' 25-year history. Director Kevin McBeth will be joined by guest conductors Dr. Rollo Dilworth and Dr. Brandon Williams for the performance. Works by Dilworth and Williams will be included in the program. Other concert highlights include music from The Color Purple and a musical tribute to the Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965." The performance takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Arianna String Quartet

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The Arianna String Quartet in Shifting Vistas on Friday, May 3, at 8 p.m. "The Arianna Quartet wraps up their season with a program shaped by the captivating innovation of brilliant young composers. Daniel Schnyder's intoxicating, jazz influenced String Quartet Nr. 4, "Great Places", captures snapshots of cities from around the world, and through time, bringing a unique and fresh voice to the world of classical music. The ebullient sound of Felix Mendelssohn opens and closes the season finale, as the ASQ explores the shimmering beauty of the String Quartet, Op.12, and concludes with his profound late work, the String Quintet, Op.87. The Arianna Quartet will be joined by string quartet luminary, violist, Atar Arad, & will also perform Mr. Arad's elegant set of miniatures, "Whims," for string quartet." The Touhill Center is on the campus of the University of Missouri at St. Louis. For more information: touhill.org.

The University City Symphony Orchestra presents The Music of South America on Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. "We bring the UCSO 2018-2019 Season, "The Year of the Piano," to a spectacular close with performances by the Schatzkamer Young Artists Competition winner and finalists, and also premieres by St. Louis composer Stephen E. Jones. We invite you to come and experience what makes the UCSO "The World's Most Adventurous Community Orchestra" for yourself! Join Maestro Leon Burke III for a pre-concert talk at 2:15pm to discuss each work in greater detail. Audience members are encouraged to come early and participate in this lively and informative conversation. The concert takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information: ucso.org.

The Washington University Department of Music presents the Washington University Flute Choir on on Monday, April 29, at 7:30 pm. The concert takes place in the Pillsbury Theatre at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO. For more information, music.wustl.edu.

The Washington University Department of Music presents duo pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque on Sunday, May 5, at 7 pm. The concert features music by Debussy, Stravinsky, and Philip Glass and takes place in the concert hall at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information, music.wustl.edu.