St. Louis classical calendar for the week of March 24, 2014

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The Bach Society of St. Louis presents an Bach's St. John Passion on Sunday, March 30, at 3 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, 100 East Adams Ave. “Only Bach can produce great works of art that also take the listener on along a spiritual and emotional journey. The Leipzig master's setting of the Passion story from the Gospel of St. John combines powerful emotion with intense drama, providing a meaningful preparation for Lent. The Chorus and Orchestra are joined by five outstanding soloists who were featured in our recent St. Matthew Passion, tenor William Watson as the Evangelist, baritone Stephen Morscheck singing the role of Jesus, countertenor Jay Carter, tenor Lawrence Jones, bass Curtis Streetman, along with the Bach Society debut of soprano Kathryn Lewek.” For more information: www.bachsociety.org

The Community Music School of Webster University presents a concert of winning compositions from the 10th Annual Young Composers Competition on Saturday, March 29, at 3 PM. " The national competition selects winners in two levels: I. 12-16 years and II. 17-21 years. The 2013-2014 winners represent four different states. The concert will include a work by guest composer, Beth Denisch. Ms. Denisch's work has been described as "... wonderfully evocative ... simply splendid," David Cleary, New Music Connoisseur." The school is at 535 Garden Avenue in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: www.webster.edu/cms.

Karita Mattila
Photo: Lauri Eriksson

David Robertson conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and soprano Karita Mattila in Wagner's Prelude to Tristan and Isolde, Brahms's Symphony No. 3, and Schoenberg's Erwartung on Friday and Saturday at 8 PM March 28 and 29, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. “Brahms constantly strived to embody and emulate the great symphonic model that Beethoven created. His Symphony No. 3 follows in Beethoven's path as a work unfolding with brilliant melody and harmony. A contemporary of Brahms, Wagner charted his own revolutionary path in the epic opera Tristan and Isolde with lush and powerful harmonies depicting a legendary love affair. Acclaimed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for “her big, steely voice and expressive charisma,” the captivating soprano Karita Mattila returns for Schoenberg's bone-chilling monodrama Erwartung.” For more information: stlsymphony.org.  Fill out an on-line form before Wednesday, March 26, and you might even win free tickets plus a gift certificate to Vito's!

Steve Lippia

Steve Lippia joins The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for Simply Sinatra on Sunday, March 30, at 3 PM at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. “Steve Lippia joins the STL Symphony in a special tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes that every Sinatra fan will want to hear including "Come Fly with Me," "Luck Be a Lady," "The Lady is a Tramp," "My Way" and more. The Symphony performs arrangements of Sinatra's classic tunes and accompanies Steve Lippia.” For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Maryville University's Music Therapy Program present Creative Music Making, part of the orchestra's SymphonyCares music therapy initiative, on Wednesday, March 26, at 7 PM in the Maryville University Auditorium. " This partnership between the Symphony and Maryville gives people with physical and mental disabilities an opportunity to learn about and create music together with Symphony musicians and Maryville students." The auditorium is at 650 Maryville University Drive in Town and Country, MO. For more information: www.stlsymphony.org/symphony_neighborhood

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Manuela Kaymakanova, violin and Diana Umali, piano in a program of music of Brahms, Turina, Zlatev-Cherkin, and Bartok on Saturday, March 29, at 8 PM. “Manuela Kaymakanova was born in Rousse, Bulgaria, and began her violin studies at the age of five. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Webster University, where she received the Buder scholarship for gifted students and studied with Yuly Iliashov. Presently she teaches at the Community Music School of Webster University and maintains a private studio. Diana Umali completed her master's degree in Piano Performance with an emphasis in accompanying/chamber music from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in May 2006. She graduated summa cum laude from Saint Louis University, attaining a B.A. in Music Performance and B.S. in Finance. Currently she is a music professor at Southwestern Illinois College.” The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Third Baptist Church presents an organ concert on Friday, March 28, at 12:30 PM as part of its free Friday Pipes series. "Join us on Fridays at Third Baptist Church for Friday Pipes, the free organ recital series celebrating the restoration of the church's 72-rank Kilgen/Möller pipe organ. Each week a different performer will be presenting a program of classical, church, and theatre organ music in the beautiful sanctuary of Third Baptist. This season's performers come from across the USA, and even from around the world. Free parking is available in the church lots on Washington Avenue." Third Baptist Church is at 620 N Grand. For more information: www.third-baptist.org