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 March 9,2015

David and Miran Halen

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The Bach Society of St. Louis presents Bach and His Passions, a free lecture by Dennis Sparger on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2030 Union Road in south St. Louis county. For more information: bachsociety.org.

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents Salut D'Amour—Celebrating with David and Miran Halen, on Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. as part of a benefit evening for the Chamber Music Society. "The evening will offer a short concert featuring the Halens in the acoustically perfect Sheldon Concert Hall beginning at 7:00 PM. For those who choose the VIP Ticket Package, the program will be followed by a dinner in the Sheldon's Spiering Room. Co-Chairs of the Host Committee are Tom and Carol Voss who invite you to join us in acknowledging and celebrating the many contributions this very special couple has made to St. Louis. " The Sheldon Concert Hall is at 3648 Washington. For more information: chambermusicstl.org.

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood presents a concert by The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis on Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. "The Metropolitan Orchestra takes listeners to France from the graceful flowing melody of Faure's Pavane to the descriptive Scènes pittoresques by Massenet to the powerful Symphony No. 3 by Saint-Saëns. Bill Stein will be the organist in the mighty "Organ Symphony". Playing on a new Casavant Frères pipe organ with 4,357 pipes the audience will feel this majestic instrument when the 32 foot pipe is given life at the opening of the finale movement of the Saint-Saëns. Music Director Allen Carl Larson will be joined by Assistant Music Director Wendy Lea on this evening of French masters." First Presbyterian Church is at 100 East Adams in Kirkwood. For more information: metro-orch.org.

Second Presbyterian Church presents the Greenville College Choir on Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m. " The choir has recently performed with the St. Louis Kingsbury Ensemble, the Illinois Music Educators Conference, and the American Choral Directors Association." The church is at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End. For more information: secondchurch.net.

The St. Louis Children's Choirs present a joint concert with Drake University on Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. "Join The St. Louis Children's Choirs and Drake University for an evening of song sharing at Parkway United Church of Christ in Town and Country. Children's Choirs ensembles will include Concert Choir and Chamber Singers." The performance takes place at Parkway United Church of Christ, 2841 N. Ballas Road. For more information: slccsing.org.

Eva Kozma

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with violin soloists Eva Kozma and Silvian Iticovici in a Whitaker Foundation Music That You Know concert on Friday at 8 p.m., March 13. "Bask in the joyous sounds of some of the finest folk dances like Ginastera's Four Dances from Estancia, Borodin's Polovtsian Dances and Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5." 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 with violinist Vadim Repin and the Women of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., March 14 and 15. The program features Debussy's "Nocturnes," James MacMillan's "Violin Concerto," and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 4." 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, March 9, 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 Denise Stookesberry, mezzo-soprano, and Mary Beth Wittry, piano, in An Evening Of Song From A Mother's Perspective on Thursday, March 12, at 8 p.m. The program features "lullabies from the 19th century, the hauntingly beautiful song cycle "The Confession Stone" by contemporary Canadian composer Robert Fleming, and a variety of songs sung by famous mothers from the modern musical theater 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 Tavern of Fine Arts presents Manuela Kaymakanova (violin) and Diana Umali (piano) on Saturday, March 14, 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.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of October 27, 2014

The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis

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Christ Church Cathedral presents the Bel Canto Women's Ensemble with pianist Jordan Ault in a program of music by Bach, Biebl, Gabriel Faure, and Marti on Sunday, November 2, at 2 p.m. Christ Church Cathedral is at 13th and Olive downtown. For more information: christchurchconcerts.org.

Eliot Unitarian Chapel presents a Friends of Music concert on Sunday, November 2, at 3 PM. "The program will feature: Steven Cheng and Lee Demertzis performing Johannes Brahms' Sonata no. 2 in A major for violin and piano; and The New Muse Piano Duo of Paola Savvidou and Jonathan Kuuskoski, joined by saxophonist Leo Saguigiut, performing Sorex by Emily Doolittle, Departure/Train by Patrick Clark, and Rambunction by Stacey Barelos." Eliot Unitarian Chapel is at 100 South Argonne in Kirkwood. For more information: fomcstl.org

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood presents a concert by The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis on Sunday, November 2, at 7 p.m. "The Metropolitan Orchestra of Saint Louis welcomes several guests for their second concert of the season. The Arianna Quartet joins us in performance with Elgar's Introduction and Allegro. In 1904 Elgar was was asked to compose a piece for the newly-formed London Symphony Orchestra, and he decided to write only for that orchestra's string section. Patrick Jackson is our guest conductor for Britten's Simple Symphony. Rodrigo's Fantasia Para un Gentilhomme will feature guitarist Benjamin Minden-Birkenmaier and conducted by Music Director Allen Carl Larson. The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings conducted by Associate Music Director Wendy Lea. The audience is invited to meet the soloists and musicians at a reception immediately following the concert." First Presbyterian Church is at 100 East Adams in Kirkwood. For more information: metro-orch.org.

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents the a cappella vocal ensemble Chanticleer in concert on Tuesday, October 28, at 8 p.m. "Called 'the world's reigning male chorus' by 'The New Yorker' magazine, the San Francisco-based, Grammy award-winning ensemble returns to The Sheldon! With a seamless blend of its twelve male voices, ranging from countertenor to bass, Chanticleer thrills with its interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance and jazz, to gospel and adventurous new music." The Sheldon is at 3658 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

The St. Louis Civic Orchestra presents "Brahms Meets America" on Saturday, November 1, at 7 p.m. "Kimberly McCoul Risinger will be performing the St. Louis premiere of Zyman's Concerto No. 2 for Flute and Orchestra on November 1 at 7 p.m. She recently performed the US premiere of the piece with the Illinois State Symphony Orchestra. We will also be performing Samuel Barber's First Essay for Orchestra and Brahms Symphony No. 4." The concert takes place at the Purser Center at Logan University, 1851 Schoettler Rd in Chesterfield, MO. For more information: stlco.org

The St. Louis Symphony presents a showing of the film Gladiator Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., November 1 and 2. Justin Freer conductions the orchestra and chorus in a live performance of the score to accompany the movie. 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 guitarist Deyan Bratic on Saturday, November 1, at 8 PM. "Returning to the Tavern, classical guitarist and acclaimed author Deyan Bratic will present an exciting and culturally diverse program touching upon the hallmarks of the classic guitar repertoire." 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 Brent Johnson on Friday, October 31, 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

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of April 21, 2014

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The Chamber Project St. Louis presents Evolution, featuring works by Goldstein, Gould, and Dovrak on Friday, April 25, at 8 PM. “Dvorak's melodic String Quintet lays the groundwork for future generations. Goldstein's soaring Quintet takes an old genre and gives it a new sound. Gould's duet for clarinet and bass pays homage to Benny Goodman and the music of the swing era.” The performance takes place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: www.chamberprojectstl.org

COCA presents the COCA Allegro Spring Concert on Sunday, April 27, at 4 PM. "Allegro, COCA's student vocal ensemble under the direction of Voice Coordinator Phil Woodmore, performs its annual Spring Concert. Allegro has a repertoire that combines musical theatre, pop and seasonal arrangements." COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. For more information: cocastl.org.

The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis presents a Schubert's Symphony No. 8 ("Unfinished") and the Brahms Symphony No. 4 on Sunday, April 27, at 7 PM. The concert will be performed at Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright. For more information: metro-orch.org

Leonard Slatkin conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and pianist Conrad Tao in Fandangos by Roberto Sierra, the Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, op. 22 by Saint-Saëns, and the Symphony No. 3 by Copland on Friday at 10:30 AM, Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, April 25-27, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. “Honored with a Grammy® nomination for the 1992 recording of Copland's Symphony No. 3 with the STL Symphony, Leonard Slatkin makes a triumphant return to Powell Hall to conduct the work that captures the essence of America and its people. Described as an “American monument” by Leonard Bernstein, Copland's Third Symphony comes to a spectacular conclusion based on themes from his Fanfare for the Common Man. Heralded on Forbes 2011 “30 under 30” list of people changing the world, gifted pianist Conrad Tao performs Saint-Saëns' capricious Piano Concerto No. 2.” For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony presents a collaborative concert with the St. Louis Low Brass Collective on Thursday, April 24, at 7:30 PM. The concert is part of the STL Symphony in the City series. “Members of the St. Louis Symphony, U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America top local freelance artists and local college professors will join forces to present the best in low brass music. The All-Star lineup will feature separate works for bass trombone and wind quintet and tuba and wind quintet. It will also feature solo works and low brass ensembles including an composition for eight trombones by Grammy award winning composer Anthony DiLorenzo.” The concert takes place at the Sheldon Concert hall, 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org/symphony_city.

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents jazz pianist and composer Peter Martin and St. Louis Symphony violinist David Halen in Jazz Meets Classical in the 20th Century in Beyond on Wednesday, April 23, at 8 PM. "Peter Martin, music director for jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, recently wrote a major jazz/classical work for the 100th Anniversary of The Sheldon, combining top jazz musicians and a string quartet of David Halen and members of the Symphony. We'll hear excerpts from that exciting composition and other music combining the best of jazz and classical music." The Sheldon is at 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents UMSL student violinist Shay Sienkiewicz in her senior recital on Wednesday, April 23, at 7:20 PM. This concert will feature music composed by Bach, Schumann, and Mendelssohn. 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 John Nothaft of Indiana University on Friday, April 25, 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.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of March 10, 2014

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The Foundry Art Centre presents a free concert by the St. Charles Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, March 15, at 7:30 PM. "The Orchestra is a multi-faceted ensemble that serves the St. Charles area through its free musical concerts, performing classical and modern repertoire, chamber concerts, and a seasonal Pops series. The performance begins at 7:30pm and doors open at 6:30pm with general seating." The Foundry Art Centre is at 520 North Main Center in St. Charles, MO. For more information: foundryartcentre.org.

Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis

The Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis presents a concert of music by Rossini, Haydn, and Mozart on Sunday, March 16, at 7 PM. The concert will be performed in the newly renovated Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School Theatre, 7539 Manchester Road. For more information: metro-orch.org.

The St. Louis Art Museum presents Metropolitan Opera Live at SLAM: Massenet's Werther on Saturday, March 8, at 11:55 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.

St. Louis Cathedral Concerts presents the vocal ensemble Stile Antico Saturday, March 15 23, at 8 PM at the cathedral at 4431 Lindell. “Stile Antico is an ensemble of young British singers, now established as one of the most original and exciting new voices in its field. Prizewinners at the 2005 Early Music Network International Young Artists' Competition, the group is much in demand in concert, performing regularly throughout Europe and North America.” For more information: www.cathedralconcerts.org.

George Daugherty

George Daugherty conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II on Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, March 15 and 16, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. “Bugs Bunny returns for an irresistible musical romp combining your favorite classic Looney Tunes, plus the concert premiere of three new spectacular 3D animated shorts, including a 1940's Mel Blanc song never animated until now! That's All, Folks!” For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents a classical open stage night on Monday, March 10 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.

Cellibasso

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Cellibasso on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:30 PM. “The name Cellibasso sounds Italian and exotic, and it is a good description of a quartet made of up three cellos and a bass. The harmonious sound of blended cellos, with their wide expressive range, is combined with the depth of the double bass for an irresistible combination. The pieces for the concert span Renaissance, Baroque, and above all, the Romantic period. Some repertoire was written for the Cellibasso instrumentation, and others have been tweaked slightly, while some well-known pieces take on a whole new meaning when rendered by Cellibasso.” 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 Nicole Keller, the director of music at the Community of Saint John, Hudson, OH in an organ concert on Friday, March 14, 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.

Union Avenue Opera presents Crescendo on Sunday, March 16, at 2 PM. The recital is the culmination for participants in UAO's Crescendo program, a free, hands-on, performance based training program developed to further the education of young artists in the Saint Louis region. The recital is FREE and open to all ages. The performance takes place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.