St. Louis classical calendar for the week of October 31, 2016

Darwyn Apple

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African Musical Arts presents African Descent Composers for Strings on Sunday, November 6, at 3 p.m. "African-Descent Composers for Strings, featuring IMI Chamber Players, with guest violinist, Darwyn Apple, highlighting music by African-American composers Jean Rudy Perrault, Joseph Bologne (Chevalier, Saint-Georges), Perkinson-Taylor, George Walker, and Fred Onovwerosuoke, as as well as selected works by Clara Schumann, Webern and Ludwig van Beethoven." The concert takes place at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6800 Washington in University City. For more information: africarts.org.

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents Fall Classics…Music…Not Baseball on Monday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m. "Part of the St. Louis Arts Experience. Amid the battle in the baseball world for supremacy in the Fall Classic, we offer some classics from the world of music. Enjoy classic favorites by Mozart, Chopin, Haydn, and Schubert. Concerts performed cabaret-style in the Sheldon Ballroom at 3648 Washington. For more information: chambermusicstl.org.

The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood presents a concert by The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis on Sunday, November 6, at 7 p.m. "MOSL presents its second concert of the season. Music Director Wendy Lea leads the orchestra in works by Wagner, Haydn, and Beethoven. Soloists in the Haydn are: Marilyn Park Ellington, Catherine Lehr Ramos, Ann Homann-Mottl, and Donita Bauer. Beethoven's 8th symphony is one of his most joyous and full of musical humor. Here we find the composer in a playful mood. Beethoven described it as “aufgeknöpft,” or “unbuttoned”. It well characterizes his cheerful nature heard in the 8th symphony. Wagner's Siegfried Idyll was written as a gift to his wife. It shows a side of the composer rarely seen in his other works. Siegried is gentle song of contentment in his married life." First Presbyterian Church is at 100 East Adams in Kirkwood. For more information: metro-orch.org.

The St. Louis Art Museum presents Made in America, a concert by the Confluence Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, November 6, at 1:30 p.m. "The Confluence Chamber Orchestra returns to the Saint Louis Art Museum's Family Sunday with two mini concerts of American music. Featured works are Leonard Bernstein's “America” from West Side Story, Jerome Kern's “Ol' Man River,” and “The Cascades,” Scott Joplin's musical description of the waterfalls on Art Hill during the 1904 World's Fair. Before each performance, children and adults are invited to a string instrument petting zoo. Admission is free." The concert takes place at Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information: confluencechamberorchestra.org.

The St. Louis Chamber Chorus at St. Alphonsus Church

The St. Louis Chamber Chorus presents Concert Two: Reflection and Rememberance on Sunday, November 6, at 3 p.m. "A program both reflective and celebratory features Hebrew motets by Salamone Rossi and Paul Schoenfield, a secular Requiem by Peter Cornelius, and elegies from William Walton & Sasha Johnson Manning. Respite is offered in a delightful song cycle by Felix Mendelssohn, 'to be sung outdoors', and we conclude with 'swan songs' by Schutz, Arcadelt, and Orlando Gibbons, and a new commission from Bob Chilcott." The concert takes place at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois. For more information: www.chamberchorus.org.

The St. Louis Civic Orchestra presents Ballet and Beethoven on Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6, at 7 p.m. "Alexandra Ballet is pleased to announce its collaboration with the St. Louis Civic Orchestra! Come and enjoy as they work together to present a delightful indulgence for the eyes and ears! Together, they will perform excerpts from the Swan Lake Suite by Tchaikovsky: Black Swan, Dance of the Four Cygnets, Neapolitan, and Spanish." The concert takes place at the Purser Center at Logan University, 1851 Schoettler Rd in Chesterfield, MO. For more information: stlco.org.

Nan-Ha Chang
Photo: Sheila Rock

Han-Na Chang conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with violin soloist Jan Mrácek in Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture, Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1, and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., November 4 and 5, at Powell Hall in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The Arianna String Quartet in Russian Melodiya on Friday, November 4, at 8 PM. "The Arianna Quartet opens their second concert with Prokofiev's revolutionary style, in his Quartet No.2, a mid-20th century masterpiece that is fueled by Russian folk music and instrumental traditions, and a gem of the quartet repertoire. Also on the program: Tchaikovsky's String Quarete No.2 and Nikolai Medtner's Piano Quintet in C Major, Op. posth. with pianist Alla Voskoboynikova. The program also includes music by Philip Glass and Beethoven. The Touhill Performing Arts Center in on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. For more information: touhill.org.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of April 11, 2016

Marlon Daniel

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African Musical Arts presents A Tribute to Great African Composers: The Power of Music to Bring People Together on Saturday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. "A concert of over 200 singers and musicians participating from the St. Louis Children's Choirs, St. Louis Women's HOPE Chorale, Legend Singers, University City Symphony Orchestra, IMI Chamber Players, as well as the very captivating Voices of Trinity from Chicago, acclaimed soprano Alison Buchanan and renowned African American conductor Marlon Daniel from New York." The concert takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information: africarts.org.

African Musical Arts presents A Tribute to Great African Composers: The Power of Music to Bring People Together on Sunday, April 17, at 3 p.m. "A concert of over 200 singers and musicians participating from the St. Louis Children's Choirs, St. Louis Women's HOPE Chorale, Legend Singers, University City Symphony Orchestra, IMI Chamber Players, as well as the very captivating Voices of Trinity from Chicago, acclaimed soprano Alison Buchanan and renowned African American conductor Marlon Daniel from New York." The concert takes place at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6800 Washington in University City. For more information: africarts.org.

The Community Music School of Webster University presents Spring Opera Scenes on Sunday, April 17, at 4 p.m. "Webster students from the Department of Music present a variety of scenes from several well-known operatic masterpieces, including The Mikado and Patience by Gilbert and Sullivan, The Marriage of Figaro and Cosi fan tutte by Mozart, and Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss." The Community Music School is at 535 Garden Avenue on the Webster University campus. For more information: webster.edu/cms.

The Community Music School of Webster University presents a concert by The Webster University Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, April 17, at 7 p.m. "The Webster University Chamber Orchestra presents its season finale concert on April 17, 2016 at the Concert Hall of the Community Music School at Webster University. Conductor Dr. Paul Davis will be joined by guest conductor Suzanne Rome from Louisiana State University. The program features classic orchestral repertoire, including Rossini's Overture to The Barber of Seville, Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, Tchaikovsky's Waltz from Sleeping Beauty, and closes with Beethoven's Symphony No. 5." The Community Music School is at 535 Garden Avenue on the Webster University campus. For more information: webster.edu/cms.

Tyshawn Sorey

New Music Circle and KDHX present the Alloy Trio on Saturday, April 16, at 8 p.m. "Alloy Trio is the highly anticipated group led by drummer/composer Tyshawn Sorey. Named one of 'Five Drummers Whose Time Is Now' by The New York Times, Sorey has spent a career confounding expectations. For over a decade he has remained one of the most prolific drummers in NYC, playing with the likes of Vijay Iyer, Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton and Myra Melford. Outside of his musical works he also holds a masters from Wesleyan University and in 2015 received the prestigious Doris Duke Impact Award." The performance takes place at TheStage @ KDHX, on Washington Avenue in Grand Center, just east of the Jazz Bistro. For more information: newmusiccircle.org.

Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16, at 8 p.m., Yan Pascal Tortelier conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with piano soloist Louie Lortie in Saint-Saëns's Piano Concerto No. 5, known as the "Egyptian" concerto, and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition as orchestrated by Maurice Ravel. Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Joseph Young conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven's New Groove, a special Family Concert on Sunday, April 17, at 3 p.m. "Stomp, clap, clap, stomp! Learn about the beats in music and how different rhythms create different music styles. Hear your classical favorites, including Tchaikovksy's Waltz from Sleeping Beauty, Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King and selections from Beethoven's Fifth and Ninth symphonies." Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Fifty Fingers of Imrat Khan

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Ustad Imrat Khan and The Fifty Fingers of Imrat Khan on Friday, April 15, at 8 PM. "A great family heritage of musicians of sitar and surbahar dating to the era of the courts of Akbar. Continuing the heritage with his 4 sons and with special introduction by the students of the great master Ustad Imrat Khan is a special musical contribution from Todd Mosby, master of ImratGuitar." The Sheldon is at 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents a classical open stage night on Monday, April 11, from 7:30 - 9 PM. "Come by yourself or bring your quartet. Sight read through a Beethoven quartet or use this as an opportunity to put the finishing touches on that Hindemith Viola Sonata you have been working on. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We have a 6' grand piano and an accompanist." 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 guitarist Mark Akin on Saturday, April 16, at 8 p.m. The concert features music by Assad, Bach, Dowland, Giuliani, Grieg, Jose, and Rodrigo. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of December 14, 2015

The Songs of Africa Ensemble

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African Musical Arts presents the Songs of Africa Ensemble on Tuesday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. "Singing in more than 20 different African languages, their performances are audience-interactive, educational, and entertaining! The performance will be in the Goldberg Formal Lounge of the Danforth University Center at 6475 Forsyth Boulevard on the Washington University campus. For more information: africarts.org.

BandTogether presents a Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 19, at 8 PM. "We hope that you will make BandTogether a part of your holiday this year and join us for 'My Favorite Things,' our annual holiday concert. Come celebrate with us and hear classics like 'Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,' 'The Nutcracker,' “'Charlie Brown Christmas,' and 'O Holy Night,”' among many others. The BandTogether Colorguard will also be performing and showcasing their spinning and dancing skills with a routine set to the classic 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'" The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO. For more information: www.bandtogetherstl.com.

The Chamber Chorus at St. Alphonsus Church

The St. Louis Chamber Chorus presents Concert Three: Christmas - Auf Deutsch! on Sunday, December 20, at 3 p.m. "The centerpiece of our festivities is the richly Romantic Friede auf Erden, an early work by Schoenberg, which is combined with various German carols often arranged by non-Germans! These include Stephen Paulus, John Rutter, and a commission from Yakov Gubanov." The concert takes place at Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 Soulard St. in Soulard. For more information: www.chamberchorus.org

The St. Louis Symphony's Crescendo Circle presents Sips and Symphonies on Thursday, December 17 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.

The St. Louis Symphony presents A Gospel Christmas with the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus conducted by Kevin McBeth, on Thursday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m. "Grammy® Award-winning tenor Thomas Young joins the STL Symphony and IN UNISON Chorus led by Kevin McBeth for a night of soul-stirring Gospel music to celebrate the most joyous of seasons." The concert takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Santa at the symphony

Steven Jarvi conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Holiday Festival Chorus in the Macy's Holiday Celebration Friday and Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., December 18-20. "Make your spirit bright at Powell Hall as it's transformed into a magical place for all ages! Join us for St. Louis' favorite holiday tradition featuring timeless classics like 'White Christmas,' 'Winter Wonderland,' 'Most Wonderful Time of the Year,' selections from the beloved film The Polar Express, with a visit with jolly ol' St. Nick himself." 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 a classical open stage night on Monday, December 14, from 7:30 - 9 PM. “Come by yourself or bring your quartet. Sight read through a Beethoven quartet or use this as an opportunity to put the finishing touches on that Hindemith Viola Sonata you have been working on. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We have a 6' grand piano and an accompanist.” 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 of music by Mendelssohn, Smetana, Dubois, and more by the St. Louis Flutete, a flute quartet, on Tuesday, December 15 at 5:30 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 a concert by violinist Ra'Geen Washington on Friday, December 18 at 5:30 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.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of May 4, 2015

Michelle Cann

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African Musical Arts presents Epic Piano Duel, a fundraiser featuring dinner, a concert, silent auction and dessert reception, on Saturday, May 9. The dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m. The "Epic Piano Duel" will feature pianists Peter Henderson, St. Louis-based pianist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and Michelle Cann, a dynamic piano prodigy featured on the NPR program, "From the Top." Funds raised at the benefit will fund a new project, the African Performing Arts Exchange, one of only five innovative projects who were announced as winners of the Regional Arts Commission's Innovation Fund last November. The event takes place at the Parkway UCC Auditorium, 2841 N. Ballas Road. For more information: www.africarts.org.

The Chamber Project St. Louis presents Vernacular, featuring works by Tower, Beaser, Ozgen, Allison, and Schubert on Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 PM. The performance takes place at Tavern of Fine Arts, 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: www.chamberprojectstl.org

The Maryville Symphony Orchestra presents Youthful Brilliance, a concert of music written by Schubert, Mendelssohn, and John Rutter when the composers were in the late teen and early 20s, on Sunday, May 10, at 3 p.m. The featured works are Mendelssohn's "Hebridies Overture," Rutter's "Suite for Strings," and Schubert's "Symphony No. 3." The concert takes place at the Maryville University Auditorium, 650 Maryville University Drive. For more information: maryvillesymphony.com.

Lucrecia Garcia

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, soprano Lucrecia Garcia, and an international roster of soloists in a complete concert performance of Verdi's Aida, including special lighting and video design by S. Katy Tucker. Performances are Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m., May 7 and 9. The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Fanfare for the Common Man, the last of this season's Whitaker Foundation "Music You Know" programs of popular classics. The concert features music by Copland, Elgar, Bizet, Liszt, Vaughan Williams, and Charles Ives and takes place on Friday, May 8, at 8 p.m. The concert take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents a Music and Cuisine Pairing Concert with the Illume Ensemble on Monday, May 4 at 7 PM. "We've cooked up another MUSIC and CUISINE PAIRING CONCERT with our friends the ILLUMINE ENSEMBLE featuring a fabulous menu of spring flavors, served up with equally tasty tunes." 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 senior recital by Jason Cohn (violin and viola) accompanied by Vera Parkin on the piano, on Tuesday, May 5 at 6 PM. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Merry Keller

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Merry Keller: Wade in the Water, on Tuesday, May 5 at 8 PM. "Wade in the Water is a program of arias, contemporary and classical art songs, gospel, spirituals, standards, and even a little pop sung by local artist, Merry Keller. There's something for everyone, all connected by the images and the metaphor of water. Martha Shaffer will be at the piano and Merry will be joined by Susan Kissinger for two duets and several feature numbers of her own." 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 contemporary chamber ensemble Alarm Will Sound on Saturday, May 9 at 8 PM. "Members of Alarm Will Sound perform small ensemble works with students from Music Today! (of the Community Music School of Webster University ). The students work with AWS over the year on contemporary repertoire. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

The Arianna String Quartet

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The Arianna String Quartet in Bold New World on Friday, May 8, at 8 PM. "Daring to boldly send the traditions of Western classical music in new directions, these three quartets continue to resonate as eternal masterpieces and achievements of the human spirit. JOSEPH HAYDN: Quartet in F minor, Op.20 No.5; BÉLA BARTK: String Quartet No. 5; LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Quartet in A minor, Op.132." The Touhill Performing Arts Center in on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. For more information: touhill.org.

UMSL Fine Arts and Communication presents a University Chorus concert on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 PM at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. "Join the University Chorus for this annual concert and an evening of traditional and contemporary choral music. This concert is in the Lee Theater." For more information: touhill.org.

Union Avenue Christian Church presents The Missouri Women's Chorus in So Many Angels! The Works of Gwyneth Walker on Sunday, May 10, at 3 p.m. "The concert honors the work of Dr. Gwyneth Walker, internationally acclaimed composer of music and features the world premiere of her song cycle "Gospel Songs for Women's Chorus and String Quartet." Dr. Walker will host the concert, introducing the pieces as they are presented, and be the guest of honor at a public reception following the concert." Union Avenue Christian Church is at 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information: www.missouriwomenschorus.org.

Washington University's Danforth University Chamber Music Series presents Seth Carlin, fortepiano and Pablo Mahave-Veglia, cello. in concert on Monday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. The program consists of the "Grande Sonate" by Hélène Riese Liebmann, and the "Sonata No. 3," Op. 69 in A Major and "7 Variations on 'Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen'," by Beethoven. The concert takes place at the Danforth University Center, 1 Brookings Drive on the Washington University campus. For more information: music.wustl.edu.