St. Louis classical calendar for the week of May 2, 2016

The Arianna String Quartet

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The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The Arianna String Quartet in Beethoven's Triumps on Friday, May 6, at 8 PM. "The ASQ's season finale begins with Edvard Grieg's electrifying String Quartet in G minor, Op.27, an audience favorite that soars with a breadth of expression and powerful resonance like no other in the string quartet repertoire. The Arianna Quartet brings their 2015-16 series to a close with Beethoven's monumental late string quartet, the Quartet in C# minor, Op.131. As a musical testament to the power and fragility of the human experience, Beethoven's creation is a timeless masterpiece that offers hope, strength and insight into the complexity of humankind's emotional and intellectual existence." The Touhill Performing Arts Center in on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. For more information: touhill.org.

The St. Louis Children's Choirs present their Spring Concert on Sunday, May 7, at 2 and 7 p.m. "Music Makers, Children's Choirs 1A, Chorale 2A and 2UC, and Choristers will perform a variety of music to include Broadway songs, world music, classical favorites, and music from Americana." The concerts take place at in the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood University campus in St. Charles. For more information: slccsing.org.

Christine Brewer
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David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus along with soloists Christine Brewer, soprano, and Kathleen Mattis, viola, on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., May 6-8. The program includes Hosts's The Planets, Vaughan-Williams's Flos campi, and Berg's Altenberg Lieder. Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

On Monday, at 8 p.m., The Tavern of Fine Arts presents classical guitarist Bryan Albert in an evening of raditional classical and jazz tunes, 90s alternative, and Mr. Albert's own compositions. 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 October 26, 2015

Tenebrae

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The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis presents the vocal ensemble Tenebrae on Thursday, October 29, at 8 p.m. at the cathedral at 4431 Lindell. "'Passion and Precision' is Tenebrae's motto, and through its continued dedication to performance of the highest quality, audiences around the world experience the power and intimacy of the human voice." The program includes music by Victoria, Reger, Brahms, and Bruckner. For more information: www.cathedralconcerts.org.

The Metropolitan Orchestra

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood presents a concert by The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis on Sunday, November 1, at 7 p.m. "Brahms Symphony No. 2 described as his "Pastoral" and Strauss Kaiser Walzer will delight audience on this concert. Conductor Laureate, Dr. Larson will open the concert with Der Freischütz Overture. Ever wonder what its like to sit on stage? Buy a chance to find out!" First Presbyterian Church is at 100 East Adams in Kirkwood. For more information: metro-orch.org.

The St. Louis Art Museum presents a high-definition video broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera's production Wagner's Tannhäuser on Saturday, October 31, at 11 AM. "James Levine conducts Wagner's early masterpiece, Tannhäuser, in its first return to the Met stage in more than a decade. Today's leading Wagnerian tenor, Johan Botha, takes on the daunting title role of the young knight caught between true love and passion. Eva-Maria Westbroek is Elisabeth, adding another Wagner heroine to her Met repertoire after her acclaimed Sieglinde in the Ring a few seasons ago. On the heels of his recent triumph in Parsifal, Peter Mattei sings Wolfram, and Michelle DeYoung is the love goddess, Venus." The live digital HD video broadcast from New York takes place in The Farrell Auditorium at the Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information: slam.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents a showing of the film Back to the Future, with the Alan Silvestri score performed live by the orchestra, Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., October 30 – November 1. The showings take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Second Church Chorale

Second Presbyterian Church presents its Fall Concert on Sunday, November 1, at 4 p.m. "Conductor Andrew Peters leads the Second Church Chorale and chamber string orchestra in Franz Schubert's beautiful Mass in G Major. The concert also includes string music by Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Rossini. Free and open to the public." The church is at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End. For more information: secondchurch.net.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents a concert by Jeff Noonan, guitar and lutes. and Sam Breene, Baroque violin, on Friday, October 30, at 8 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 Arianna String Quartet

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The Arianna String Quartet in Autumn Kammeraku on Sunday, November 1, at 3 PM. "The Arianna Quartet joins forces with shakuhachi grand master James Nyoraku Schlefer, world-renowned koto virtuoso Yumi Kurosawa, and acclaimed master shamisen player Yuko Reikano Kumura, as the Kyo-Shin-An ensemble returns for another memorable evening of music making with the ASQ. This unique concert fuses the ancient traditions of Japanese instrumentation with Western classical music's string quartet, producing an experience that forges new frontiers in music, and provides audiences with a once in a lifetime concert experience. " 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 September 7, 2015

The Chamber Project St. Louis

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The Chamber Project St. Louis presents Spark on Friday, May 29, at 9:30 PM.  The program includes music for violin, cello, flute, harp, and percussion by Haydn, Saint-Saens, and Villa-Lobos,  The performance takes place at Crave Coffeehouse, 3500 Caroline Street.  For more information: www.chamberprojectstl.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., September 11-13.   "Journey with the STL Symphony back to the land of Hyrule with The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. Master Quest is a never-before seen or heard multimedia concert experience that celebrates the beloved 28-year-old The Legend of Zelda franchise.”  The performance takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Sara Gottman

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Sara Gottman: In English on Monday, September 7, at 8 p.m.  "Sara Gottman, mezzo-soprano, and Robert Valentine, baritone and piano, are pleased to bring you an evening of English language favorites including selections by Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, Jason Robert Brown, and the little-done Vaughan Williams song cycle "The House of Life." Come and enjoy the evening with us - no translations needed!"  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 Marie Meunier, soprano and Jeff Noonan, guitar on Friday, September 11, at 8 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 James Nacy, cello and Diana Umali, piano on Friday, September 11, at 8 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 Arianna String Quartet

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The Arianna String Quartet in Essential Arianna on Friday, September 11, at 8 PM.  "The Arianna Quartet launches their 2015-16 Touhill Concert Series with three riveting works that capture the power, grace, elegance and nuance of the art of the string quartet. Mozart’s impassioned Quartet in D minor, K.421 opens the ASQ’s season, striking a delicate balance between hushed utterances and operatic grandeur, luring us into the beauty of Mozart’s dark timbres. The ASQ is then thrilled to present Pulitzer Prize winning composer Kevin Puts’ mesmerizing Credo for String Quartet. Originally from St. Louis, Mr. Puts has established himself as one of America’s most important composers. Famous for its gripping drama and unparalleled intimacy of expression, Beethoven’s revolutionary Quartet in B-flat Major, Op.130 closes this evening of essential quartet classics."  The Touhill Performing Arts Center in on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus.  For more information: touhill.org.

The Town and Country Symphony Orchestra presents a concert of the music of Strauss, Handel, Grofe, and Rimski-Korsakov on Sunday, September 13, at 2:30 PM.  The performance takes place in Ridgway Auditorium at The Principia, 13201 Clayton Road.  For more information: tcsomo.org

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.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of November 3, 2014

Eli Keszler

Christ Church Cathedral presents pianist Mark Laverty in a program of the complete Études of Chopin on Sunday, November 9, at 2 p.m. Christ Church Cathedral is at 13th and Olive downtown. For more information: christchurchconcerts.org.

The New Music Circle presents Eli Keszler on Saturday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. "NYC based drummer and sound artist, Eli Keszler, engages in a frictional push-and-pull of percussive sound through instrumental means which are both traditional and experimental. His hyper-percussive improvisations are ripe with detailed and pointillistic attacks that build momentum to form frenzied sonic clusters, drawing inspiration from the spontaneity of Han Bennik's percussion work as well as the harmonic density of Colin Nancorrow's compositions." The performance takes place at the Luminary Center for the Arts, 2701 Cherokee Street. For more information: newmusiccircle.org.

St. Cecilia Catholic Church presents St. Louis Chamber Chorus Concert II: Juan Gutierrez De Padilla and Heitor Villa-Lobos on Sunday, November 9, at 3 p.m. 'Twelve masterful exponents of the choral repertoire, from six centuries and three continents, are presented in pairs, demonstrating the sheer vitality and variety possible in writing for unaccompanied choir. Each program includes a reprise of a Chamber Chorus original, commissioned for us in recent years from a leading choral composer. Concert II at St.Cecilia Magnificent motets for double choir by Padilla, a master of the Mexican Renaissance, are complemented with the stirring Miss Sao Sebastiao of modern Brazilian genius, Heitor Villa-Lobos. " St. Cecilia Catholic Church is at 5418 Louisiana Ave. For more information: chamberchorus.org.

Markus Groh

Hannu Lintu conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and piano soloist Markus Groh in Grieg's "Piano Concerto," Schumann's "Concertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra," " Lemminkäinen's Return" by Sibelius, and "Les Preludes" by Liszt on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m., November 7 and 8. "Markus Groh joins the STL Symphony for the Grieg Piano Concerto, one of the most popular concertos ever written, full of familiar melodies used in movies and television including Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Milo and Otis and many more." The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents the Cavatina Duo on Saturday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. "Combining Spanish passion with Balkan sensibility, the Cavatina Duo has become known for powerful and versatile performances, captivating audiences in many festivals and venues across Europe, Asia, and the USA. Winners of the "Young Musicians of the Doelen" competition in Rotterdam (Netherlands) in 1996, the duo has been called "the best flute and guitar duo in the world today" by Sergio Assad. Spanish flutist Eugenia Moliner, acclaimed as "a brilliant young musician" by British Flute Society magazine, teams with Bosnian guitarist (and husband) Denis Azabagic, winner of eleven international guitar competitions. The Sheldon is at 3658 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents guitarist Alison Rolf, violin; Chris Banda, viola; and James Nacy, cello in a program of music by Mozart, Kodaly and Beethoven on Friday, November 7, at 8 PM. 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 on Friday, November 7, at 8 PM at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. "Maestro Klein will take the audience on a sonic journey through the expansive range of expression of the oboe. WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART: Oboe Quartet in F Major, K.370; ANTAL DORTI: Notturno and Capriccio for Oboe and String Quartet; BENJAMIN BRITTEN: Phantasy Quartet for Oboe and String Trio, Op.2; LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Quartet in F Major, Op.135." For more information: touhill.org.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of September 1, 2014

Third Baptist Church presents an organ concert by Stephen Price, Resident organist of Beck Chapel at Indiana University, on Friday, September 5, 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

The Arianna String Quartet

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The Arianna String Quartet in "Dynamic Duo," on Friday, September 5, at 8 PM at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. "The season kicks off with two legendary works of the chamber repertoire that promises a night of unforgettable expression and emotional power. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op.127; JOHANNES BRAHMS: Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op.115 with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra principal clarinetist Scott Andrews." For more information: touhill.org.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of March 3, 2014

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McKendree College presents classical pianist Valentina Igoshina on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 PM. "The modern-day classical pianist has performed as a soloist on many of the grand concert stages of the world to consistent critical acclaim. The Bryansk, Russia native is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. She has won numerous prizes at several international competitions, including first place at the Rubinstein Competition in Poland (1993) and the Sergei Rachmaninov International Piano Competition in Moscow (1997)." The concert takes place in the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the college campus in Lebanon, IL. For more information: thehett.com.

The St. Louis Art Museum presents Metropolitan Opera Live at SLAM: Borodin's Prince Igor on Saturday, March 8, at 11:5 AM. The live digital HD video broadcast from New York takes place in The Farrell Auditorium at the Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information: slam.org.

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Verdi's Requiem. Vocal soloists are Angel Blue (soprano) Julia Gertseva (mezzo-soprano), Aquiles Machado (tenor), and Riccardo Zanellato (bass). Performances take place on Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, March 7 and 8, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. "From musical outbursts of brute force to moments of peaceful tranquility, Verdi's Requiem explores the complex relationship between humanity and God, depicting a wide spectrum of human emotions from anger to mourning to serenity. Celebrated for his operas, Verdi combines the unimaginable sweep and grandeur of opera into his Requiem as a somber and spiritual work certain to stir your soul." For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Jacomo Bairos conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with narrator Peter Seymour in Choose Your Symphonic Adventure on Sunday, March 9, at 3 PM at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. "Be part of this interactive fun-filled journey through the history of classical music where YOU pick the program! Known for his work with Project Trio, Peter Seymour leads the audience through this quest, featuring the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and more. You can't take a wrong turn!" For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents The Arianna String Quartet on Tuesday, March 4, at 7:30 PM. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Winter Opera St. Louis presents Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor Friday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, March 7 and 9. Performances take place at The Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 425 S. Lindbergh. The opera is sung in Italian with project English supertitles. For more information, visit winteroperastl.org.