St. Louis classical calendar for the week of February 22, 2016

The Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra

Share on Google+:

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis presents The Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra in an all-Tchaikovsky program on Sunday at 8 p.m., February 28, at the cathedral at 4431 Lindell. "Founded in 1945 on the heels of postwar Polish independence, The Polish Baltic Philharmonic is the largest music institution in northern Poland. The orchestra is visited not only by local music-lovers but by cosmopolitan Polish and international patrons alike. This is the place for those who enjoy art of the highest quality. The Philharmonic organizes symphonic concerts, recitals, and chamber music soirées performed by the most prominent Polish musicians as well as by many world-famous artists." For more information: www.cathedralconcerts.org.

Eliot Unitarian Chapel presents a Friends of Music concert on Sunday, February 28, at 3 PM. The program features Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite along with music by Antonio Vivaldi, Robert Chamberlin, George Oldroyd, Denis Bédard and Richard Purvis. The featured performers are Mark Overton, alto saxophone; Robert Chamberlin, organ; and Jan Chamberlin, glockenspiel. Chiann-yi Yawitz will perform Serge Prokofiev's Piano Sonata no. 6. The concert takes place at Eliot Unitarian Chapel is at 100 South Argonne in Kirkwood. For more information: fomcstl.org.

The St. Louis Children's Choirs present a Family and Friends Concert on Saturday, February 27, at 2 and 7 p.m. "Experience the joy of young voices united in song! This concert will feature multi-cultural selections in a variety of styles, traditions and languages and is part of the American Arts Experience-St. Louis. With performances by the Children's Choir 1A, Chorale 2A/2UC, Choristers, and Chamber Singers.' The performances take place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information: slccsing.org.

Hans Graf conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus along with soloists Laurel Dantas, soprano; Debby Lennon, mezzo-soprano; DeWayne Trainer, tenor; and actress Maureen Thomas Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. February 27 and 28. The program is part of the Symphony's four-week Shakespeare Festival. "Journey to the land of forbidden love with Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hans Graf leads the enchanting incidental music to Shakespeare's beloved play, with actress Maureen Thomas portraying vignettes from the drama on the Powell Hall stage. Mendelssohn's fairytale music is paired with Fauré's incidental music, Shylock, taking its genesis from The Merchant of Venice and providing moments of great beauty, signature of the beloved French composer. " Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Peter Henderson

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Sheldon Classics: The Fench Connection on Wednesday, February 24, at 8 PM. "Pianist Peter Henderson is joined by St. Louis Symphony principals Jelena Dirks, oboe, and Andrew Cuneo, bassoon, for "French Connection," featuring Poulenc's Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano and Faure's Piano Trio, Op. 120. Henderson will also perform solo piano works by Ravel." The Sheldon is at 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Songs Without Words, a concert of solo saxophone works by Christopher Braig on Wednesday, February 24, at 8 p.m. "Saxophonist Christopher Braig presents a solo recital on tenor and soprano saxophones titled "Songs Without Words" featuring works by Pucinni, Ellington, and Marley. Christopher Braig is an active performer and jazz instructor and is a member of the Webster University Jazz faculty." 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 Persied String Quartet in Czech Masters on Saturday, February 27, at 8 p.m. "What comes to mind when you think of Czech music? Perhaps simple folk tunes of the rural countryside, or the unusual harmonies and dark timbres of folk instruments? Or is it the lively dances and hopping rhythms? On February 27th we celebrate the works of two celebrated Czech composers: Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak. Working around the same time, they helped create a new awakening of Czech Nationalism through music. We know you'll enjoy the rousing Polkas, sad Dumky, and soaring lyrical Romances as we perform Smetana's String Quartet No. 1, 'From My Life', and Dvorak's String Quartet No. 10, op. 51." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.