St. Louis classical calendar for the week of April 25, 2016

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On Tuesday, April 26th, at 6:30 p.m., New Music Circle, in collaboration with the St. Louis Public Library and St. Louis Polonia, presents 18&Counting, Vernacular String Trio, and Chris Smentkowski performing live scores to experimental films from Poland (1940-1980). This event, which is free and open to the public, takes place in the lower level auditorium at the St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive downtown. For more information: newmusiccircle.org.

Jennifer Gartley of
The Chamber Project

The Chamber Project St. Louis presents Wander on Tap on Tuesday, April 26, at 7:30 PM. "We close our season of original programing with a feisty program for flute, clarinet, harp and strings playing music from around the world. From the haunting beauty of French Impressionism, to Celtic sounds and a wild spin of gypsy music arranged by local composer Christian Woehr, this concert will lead you down a satisfying path!" The performance takes place at The Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust. For more information: www.chamberprojectstl.org.

CHARIS, the St. Louis Women's Chorus, presents Behind the Scenes on Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, at 8 p.m. " For the 2nd concert of our 23rd season, CHARIS will present "Behind the Scenes," a concert offering an insider's perspective on the world of singing and performing. Songs and narration will take the audience from those first rehearsals in which singers get to know each other, all the way to concert night, examining what happens along the way. The audience will also be taken "behind the scenes" as CHARIS presents sneak peeks of their upcoming performances at the "Big Gay Sing" with the Gateway Men's Chorus, the 2016 North American OutGames (hosted here in St. Louis) in June and our performance at the international GALA choruses festival in Denver, Colorado in July." The performances take place in the auditorium at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. For more information: charischorus.org.

The Chess Club of St. Louis presents The Sound of Chess, a performance by the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, featuring original compositions inspired by the game of chess, on Saturday, April 30, at 6 p.m. The concert, which inclues cocktails and hors d'oeurves, takes place at the Kingside Diner, 4651 Maryland in the Central West End. For more information: saintlouischessclub.org.

The Community Music School of Webster University presents a concert by The Webster University New Music Ensemble on Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m. "The Webster University New Music Ensemble present two classics in European Minimalism: The Sinking of the Titanic (1969-) by Gavin Bryars and Worker's Union (1975) by Louis Andriessen." The Community Music School is at 535 Garden Avenue on the Webster University campus. For more information: webster.edu/cms.

Celeste Golden Boyer

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with violin soloist Celeste Golden Boyer on Friday, April 29, at 8 p.m. "Symphonic music has tremendous power to tell the story! From Ponchielli's Dance of the Hours to Dukas's mischievous The Sorcerer's Apprentice, let the orchestra be your guide on this musical adventure exploring tales from around the globe." Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with tympani soloist Shannon Wood on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., April 30 and May 1. "STL Symphony timpanist Shannon Wood steps forward to perform William Kraft's unique and rhythmic Timpani Concerto No. 2, "The Grand Encounter." Subtitled from 15 chamber works called 'Encounters', this distinctive piece is rarely heard in concert. The orchestra brings the evening to a spectacular conclusion with Schubert's Symphony No. 9." Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents two concerts by the Arianna String Quartet on Tuesday, April 26, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. "The Arianna Quartet joins their friends, the internationally acclaimed Brazilian violin and guitar duo Daniel Guedes and Mario Ulloa, to perform a unique mix of Brazilian jazz standards, original compositions, and select classical movements in a unique cross-over soiree!" The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

The West County Family YMCA presents The Dastan Ensemble in a concert of Persian classical music on Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m. The concert features soloists on the tar, Kemenche, ud, setar and other Middle Eastern instruments. For more information: chicagopersianevents.com.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of January 18, 2016

Charis in 2011

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CHARIS, the St. Louis Women's Chorus, invites the public to open rehearsals for its next show Behind the Scenes on Tuesdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m., through January 26. "Join CHARIS - The St. Louis Women's Chorus for open rehearsals as we prepare for our final show of our 22nd season, "Behind the Scenes". We welcome you to our open rehearsals on January 5th, 19th, & 26th and to a social networking event January 12th to learn about CHARIS and the music and concept for our next concert. CHARIS is a non-auditioned community chorus open to anyone who identifies as a woman. We are a diverse group of women united in our mission to perform music that celebrates and encourages women and the LGBTQ community." Rehearsals take place at the Center for Divine Love, 3617 Wyoming in the South Grand neighborhood. For more information: charischorus.org.

The New Music Circle presents its 2016 opening concert featuring Baltimore pedal steel guitarist Susan Alcorn and Chicago percussionist Frank Rosaly on Friday, January 22, at 7 PM. "New Music Circle audiences may recall hearing percussionist Frank Rosaly at a performance in 2013 with Joshua Abrams's Natural Information Society at Joe's Cafe. As we heard, unusual percussive devices such as found objects and electronic sounds are often included in his arsenal, and he is capable of transitioning from the most subtle sounds to intense outbursts, all in the same breath. Baltimore pedal steel guitarist, Susan Alcorn, will make her first time visit to St. Louis! Alcorn is a Baltimore based composer and instrumentalist who has received international recognition as an innovator of the pedal steel guitar. Alcorn elicits an expansive range of sounds from her instrument, from accessible country glissandos to Theremin like science fiction “noir” effects." The performance takes place at Joe's Café, 6014 Kingsbury. For more information: newmusiccircle.org.

The St. Louis Symphony's Crescendo Circle presents Sips and Symphonies, featuring a discussion/presentation on Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5, on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 PM. "What is Sips and Symphonies? It is a great way to learn about music in a fun, casual environment." A special cocktail is created for each event to accompany the music. The event takes place at The Tavern of Fine Arts, 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Timothy McAllister
timothymcallister.com

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Robertson presents John Adams's Saxophone Concerto, with soloist Timothy McAllister, and Mahler's Symphony No. 5 Friday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m., January 22 and 23. "From the opening funeral march to the exuberant and glorious brass finale, Mahler's Fifth Symphony is a larger-than-life work capturing a wide spectrum of emotions including possibly the greatest and most famous musical love letter ever written-from Mahler to his new bride, Alma. This monumental work is paired with Adams' jazzed-infused Saxophone Concerto featuring Timothy McAllister." Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Robertson presents Romantic Favorites Friday at 8 p.m., January 22. "David Robertson leads an evening devoted entirely to love and romance captured in music. From Mendelssohn's familiar Wedding March in A Midsummer Night's Dream, heard at countless weddings, to Mahler's hauntingly beautiful Adagietto, this concert is full of favorites that evoke the sounds of love in the air." The performance takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Wednesday, January 20, at 8 pm, The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Cellist Bjorn Ranheim and violinist Shawn Weil. "Cellist Bjorn Ranheim and violinist Shawn Weil, members of the St. Louis Symphony and genre-defying acoustic quartet, The 442s, present an eclectic program in collaboration with musical friends. Including virtuosic duos by Kodály and Stefan Freund, Schoenfield's sparkling "Café Music" with pianist Peter Henderson, and a new work by composer Adam Maness for The 442s and vocalist Brian Owens, this not-to-be-missed program has something for everyone!" The Sheldon is at 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

Duo Bandini-Chiacchiaretta
bandinichiacchiaretta.com

Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 pm, The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Duo Bandini-Chiacchiaretta. "This Duo consisting of guitarist Giampaolo Bandini and bandoneon player Cesare Chiacchiaretta was formed in 2002 with the express intent of presenting the Argentinian "new tango"music of Astor Piazzolla with its two essential instruments. Their first CD "Hombres de Tango" has been greeted with great enthusiasm, selling more than 10,000 copies. Extraordinarily charismatic, the Duo has performed throughout both Eastern and Western Europe to great acclaim." The Sheldon is at 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents a concert by soprano Rebecca Drury on Saturday, January 23, at 8 p.m. 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 Nylönïcä Guitar Trio (David Ferrara, Mark Akin, Adam Gabbert) in an evening of trios, duos, and solos on Saturday, January 16, at 8 p.m. "Nylönïcä! is a St. Louis-based classical guitar trio specializing in modern classical and rock compositions arranged for guitar." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Winter Opera St. Louis presents Mozart's comic opera Cosi fan Tutte Friday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, January 22 and 24. Performances take place at The Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 425 S. Lindbergh. For more information, visit winteroperastl.org.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of April 20, 2015

The Bach Society at St. Stanislaus Church

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The Bach Society of St. Louis presents Faire is the Heaven on Sunday, April 26, at 3:0 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Place. "Post-Dispatch critic Philip Kennicott hailed Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G minor, as "a summit of the 20th-century choral repertoire" when we performed it in 1997. This magnificent mass for double chorus will be performed again by our chorus and is sure to leave a lasting impression as it did 18 years ago. Music from the English choral tradition, including works by Philips, Byrd, Stanford, Tallis, Howells and Harris is also included on the program." For more information: www.bachsociety.org.

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents Brasstravaganza on Monday and Tuesday, April 20 and 21, at 7:30 p.m. "Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents an evening of fanfares and antiphonal brass, performing chamber music of the highest quality in a relaxed, informal, cabaret style where audiences can have an entertaining evening as they sit at a table with friends, share a bottle of wine and light snacks while enjoying beautiful music performed by some of the finest musicians in St. Louis." The performance takes place in The Sheldon Concert Hall at 3648 Washington. For more information: chambermusicstl.org.

The Chamber Project St. Louis

The Chamber Project St. Louis presents Vernacular, featuring works by Tower, Beaser, Ozgen, Allison, and Schubert on Wednesday, April 22, at 7:00 PM. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame, 4652 Maryland Avenue. For more information: www.chamberprojectstl.org

Gateway Opera presents Mozart's The Impresario Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, at 7:00 p.m. "In this hilarious hour-long show, an entrepreneur struggles to hold together an opera company filled with affairs, feuding singers, and a strained budget. This new expanded English edition commissioned by Gateway Opera features favorites from other Mozart operas including Così fan tutte, The Magic Flute, Idomeneo and more!" Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: 1-800-838-3006 or gatewayopera.org.

The Missouri History Museum presents The Seven Deadly Sins, a concert by CHARIS, the St. Louis Women’s Chorus, on Friday, April 24, at 8 p.m. in the Lee Auditorium. "Pride. Envy. Wrath. Gluttony and Lust. Sloth and Greed. Join CHARIS for a tongue-in-cheek look at the weird and darkly comic world of sin, as told through song." The Missouri History Museum is at Skinker and DeBaliviere in Forest Park. For more information: mohistory.org.

Emanuel Ax

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with pianist Emanuel Ax on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., April 25 and 26. Ax will be the soloist in Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2. The concerts will include music by Elgar and Glanert. The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Wanda Becker, violin; Andrew Rubin, cello; and Daniel Schene, piano on Tuesday, April 21, at 8 p.m. They will perform Schubert's Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 99. Daniel Schene will also Schubert's Piano Sonata in A Major, Op. 120. 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 pianist Mike Ring on Wednesday, April 22, at 8 p.m. "Pianist Mike Ring presents his first solo recital in over two years. He will perform Impressionistic music and piano works of Brazilian composer Hietor Villa-Lobos as well as Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue by J.S. Bach, Piano Sonata No. 3 by Sergei Prokofiev. Piano Sonata No. 1 - First Movement by Rodion Shchedrin, and a few short collaborations with friends." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Alan Mohammed and Chad Pleasant

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents violinists Chad Pleasant and Alan Mohammed with Daniel Fry on piano performing music by Massenet, Gluck, Bach, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn on Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. 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 a concert performance of Giuseppi Verdi's comic opera Falstaff featuring Jeffrey Heyl as Falstaff and Rebecca Drury as Alice Ford on Friday, April 234 at 8 p.m. The performance is part of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival's Shake38 event. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

The University of Missouri—St. Louis presents a University Piano Alumni Concert on Tuesday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. "UMSL Piano Alumni Concert. In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the renowned pianist Sviatoslav Richter. David Doran, Tzu Hwa Ho and Daniel Kuehler will share the stage with Alla Voskoboynikova, Director of Keyboard Studies. They will perform music by Scarlatti, Schumann, Scriabin, Medtner and Kapustin. Meet the artists in the lobby of the Lee Theater after the concert." The performance takes place at The Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. For more information: touhill.org.