St. Louis classical calendar for the week of December 2, 2019

Christmas concerts are starting to appear this week, with holiday-themed events at the Cathedral Basilica and Powell Hall.

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The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents As the Winds Blow on Saturday, December 7, at 2 pm. "No windbags here. Just some exciting woodwind music that will take your breath away. Works by Reicha, Hindemith, Vinter, Nielsen and Ibert." Performances take place at the Sheldon, 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: chambermusicstl.org.

CHARIS

CHARIS, the St. Louis Women's Chorus, presents Snapshot on Friday and Saturday December 6 and 7, at 8 pm. "A picture is worth a thousand words-at minimum-and a single snapshot can inspire a multitude of stories and interpretations. In CHARIS's fall 2019 show, “Snapshot,” we draw inspiration from two photographic sources: first, the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs on display at Missouri History Museum, and second, portraits commissioned from local photographers that capture the lives and stories of individuals in our local community, especially the women and members of the LGBTQ+ community who are at the heart of our mission. Each song in the concert will be inspired by a photograph and its thousands of possible words." The performances take place in the auditorium at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. For more information: charischorus.org.

St. Louis Cathedral Concerts presents Christmas at the Cathedral on Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. "Experience the joy of the music of Christmas with the St. Louis Archdiocesan Choirs and Orchestra . The program includes the Christmas portion of The Messiah and other Christmas classics old and new at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis!" The concerts take place at the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. For more information: cathedralconcerts.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents the Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in Big Band Holidays on Wednesday, December 4, at 7:30 pm. "It's the most wonderful time of year! The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis are coming to Powell Hall. Featuring soulful, big band versions of classics like “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World” and “Brazilian Sleigh Ride,” Big Band Holidays is an uplifting holiday program that's sure to brighten the season." The performance taks place at Powell Symphony Hall in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Richard Egarr
Photo courtesy of the SLSO

Richard Egarr conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, along with violin soloists Kristin Ahlstrom and Angie Smart and flute soloist Andrea Kaplan in Baroque Fireworks. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm, December 6-8. "Handel heralds the holidays. Brilliant brass gleam in the Music for the Royal Fireworks and Water Music. Then strings take center-stage for Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3, featuring the famous “Air on a G string.” Conductor Richard Egarr leads the orchestra from the harpsichord for Bach's Brandenburg No. 5, which features soloists from the SLSO." Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall in Grand Cente. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Department of Music at Washington University presents Solisti St. Louis featuring Amy Greenhalgh, viola, Benedetta Orsi, mezzo-soprano, and Dana Hotle, clarinet, performing music by Saint-Saëns, Richter, Weber, and Tchaikovsky on Friday, December 6, at 7:30 pm. The event takes place in the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information: music.wustl.edu/events.

The Department of Music at Washington University presents bass-baritone Eric Owens and pianist Jeremy Denk performing Schubert's song cycle Winterreise on Sunday, December 8, at 7 pm. The event takes place in the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information: music.wustl.edu/events.