St. Louis classical calendar for the week of September 29, 2014

Hans Leitner

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis presents an organ concert by Hans Leitner on Sunday, October 5, at 2:30 p.m.  "World renowned organist, composer and teacher Hans Leitner makes his St. Louis debut performing on the 7,621 pipes of the Great Cathedral Organ at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Since the fall of 2003 he has served as organist and cathedral vicar at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Munich. At the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich he had from 2003 to 2011 held a lectureship in liturgy and church music practice. Prior to this appointment he was organist of the cathedral and Vicar to the High St. Stephan Cathedral Passau, where he also acted as an organ expert of the diocese of Passau."  The Cathedral is at 4431 Lindell in the Central West End.  For more information: cathedralconcerts.org.

McKendree College presents soprano Christine Brewer with Craig Terry and Hugh Russell on Sunday, October 5, at 3 PM.  " The superstar soprano returns to her hometown for a special recital with pianist Craig Terry of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Canadian baritone Hugh Russell. Named “one of the top 20 sopranos of all time” by BBC Music, the Grammy Award-winning recording artist is renowned for her soaring range, boundless power and control, and vibrant personality."  The concert takes place in the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the college campus in Lebanon, IL.  For more information: thehett.com.

St. Louis Cathedral Concerts presents members of the St. Louis Symphony in a program of chamber music by Vaughan Williams, Ravel, and Brahms, on Sunday, October 3, at 7 p.m.  “Cathedral Concerts continues it’s series of FREE concerts that brings the great music to you. The featured players in each concert are St. Louis Symphony members Kristin Ahlstrom, violin and Bjorn Ranheim, cello, joined by Matthew Mazzoni, piano and Scott Kennebeck, tenor.”  The performance takes place at St. Peter Catholic Church in Kirkwood.  For more information: www.cathedralconcerts.org

Markus Stenz conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, along with soloists Carolyn Sampson, soprano, and Patrick Carfizzi, bass-baritone, in Brahms's "German Requiem" and "Four Preludes and Serious Songs" (arranged by Detlev Glanert) Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., October 4 and 5.  "With its German text and emphasis on consoling the living, Brahms’ glorious "Ein deutsches Requiem" is partnered with Glanert’s stylistic interpretation of Brahms’ songs with his overlaying piece, Four Preludes and Serious Songs.  This concert of Brahms’ choral works promises to be uplifting." 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 Joo Kim (violin), and James Czyzewski (cello), with Vera Parkin on piano on Monday, September 29, at 6:30 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 Jay Chacon, baritone, with Jon Garrett, piano on Friday, October 3, at 8 PM.  "Jay and Jon have brought five different and unique programs to Tavern of Fine Arts over the last year. They have decided to do one last program together before Jay takes off to NYC. Bringing together a selection from each of the previous programs, it will be a night of great music, wonderful memories, and a lot of fun. German lieder and Wagner from Bach to Berg: A Dietrich Fischer Dieskau Tribute, songs from Way Off Broadway, Les Bestiaire by Poulenc from Love, Loss, and Animals, works from Jake Heggie: American Composer, traditional Hispanic songs from Música Hispánica. Also featured will be music by Timothy Jansen from his original composition OperaAntics! with Jansen at the piano." 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 by Dr. Joerg Abbing of the Hochschule für Musik Saar, Saarbrücken, Germany on Friday, October 3, 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