St. Louis classical calendar for the week of September 21, 2015

The St. Louis Chamber Chorus
Photo: William Bascomb

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Eliot Unitarian Chapel presents a Friends of Music concert on Sunday, September 27, at 3 PM. Lee Demertzis and Steven Cheng playing Robert Schumann's Sonata for Violin and Piano in A minor and the Sonatensatz by Johannes Brahms. And on the same program, tenor Jimmy Stevens will be singing Schumann's Liederkreis Op. 39, nos. 1-6, an aria from Mozart's Ascanio in Alba, and a set of French songs including Gabriel Fauré's Mandoline, Ernest Chausson's Serenade italienne and Henri Duparc's Chanson triste. Eliot Unitarian Chapel is at 100 South Argonne in Kirkwood. For more information: fomcstl.org

The St. Louis Chamber Chorus presents Concert One: Sing a New Song on Sunday, September 27, at 3 p.m. "Our jubilee season begins with double choir celebrations by Renaissance composer Gabriele Fattorini and Johannes Brahms, together with Aaron Copland's masterpiece, In the Beginning. We hail our own beginnings with Music & Ceremonies, commissioned from our founder Ronald Arnatt, and a contribution by our new Composer-in-Residence, Melissa Dunphy. " The concert takes place at Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information: www.chamberchorus.org

The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presents Swedish guitarist and composer Johannes Möller in concert on September, November 26, at 8 PM. "Swedish guitarist and composer Johannes Möller has made more than 500 appearances in Europe, Asia, South and North America. In 2010 he was awarded First Prize in the GFA International Guitar Competition, with asubsequent fifty-concert world tour. This will be his St. Louis debut!” The performance takes place at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road. For more information: www.guitarstlouis.net

Karita Mattila

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with soloists Karita Mattila, soprano; Daniel Lee, cello; and Beth Guterman Chu, viola, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., September 25 and 26. "David Robertson leads an epic program devoted to bold musical stories depicted by Richard Strauss. Revel in the musical adventures of Don Quixote, filled with dreams of knightly glory, featuring Principal Cellist Daniel Lee. Finnish lyric soprano Karita Mattila, recognized for the beauty and versatility of her voice, as for her extraordinary stage ability, performs Strauss' final scene from Capriccio. Audiences will be mesmerized by some of literature's greatest works set to music." 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 The Bella Corda Guitar Ensemble in concert on Friday, September 25 at 6 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 March 17, 2014

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BandTogether presents The Music of John Williams: A 17th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, March 22, at 8 PM.  "Join BandTogether on March 22, 2014 as we celebrate our 17th Anniversary by showcasing the music of John Williams. Your ears will be delighted as we transport you to the world of film with songs from Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, Superman, Star Wars, and many more. It'll be a night of entertainment you don't want to miss!"  The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO.  For more information: www.bandtogetherstl.com.

The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presents Fabio Zanon in concert on Saturday, March 22, at 8 PM. "Winner of both the Francisco Tarrega Competition in Spain and the GFA Competition here in St. Louis in 1996, Fabio has since received many awards for his concerts and recordings. A towering music presence in his native Brazil, he was accorded an award as best concert performance of 2006 for his debut as an operatic conductor! Concluding our 50th Anniversary Theme, in 2009 Fabio published his first book, Villa-Lobos, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Heitor Villa-Lobos, and his program will include works from this all-important Brazilian composer. Fabio last performed for us in March 2003." The performance takes place at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road.  For more information: www.guitarstlouis.net.

Steven Jarvi conductis The St. Louis Symphony in a Symphony in Your College Concert on Sunday, March 23, at 7:30 PM.  "Musicians of the St. Louis Symphony, Beat Therapy, and conductor Steven Jarvi present the music of award-winning composer and STL Symphony timpanist Shannon Wood at Washington University."  The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony presents Bosnian Journey Celebration on Wednesday, March 19, at 7 PM as part of the On Stage at Powell Chamber Concert Series.  "For this concert series, we throw open the doors of Powell Hall and invite our audience to sit on stage and interact with musicians to enjoy a casual and unique evening of chamber music. These concerts are absolutely free, and no tickets or reservations are required. Each hour-long concert is followed by a free reception. St. Louis celebrates 21 years since it welcomed the first refugees from war-torn Bosnia. Come and hear the stories of your Bosnian neighbors and experience powerful Sevdah music as we celebrate this vibrant St. Louis population. This concert is a MetLife Music without Boundaries concert with support from the Daughters of Charity Foundation of St. Louis, and is in collaboration with the Bosnia Memory Project and the International Institute of St. Louis." Powell Hall is at 718 North Grand.  For more information: www.stlsymphony.org/symphony_city.

Gil Shaham

David Robertson conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and violin soloist Gil Shaham in Marshall's Bright Kingdoms, Korngold's Violin Concerto, and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"on Friday at 10:30 AM and at 8 PM, and Saturday at 8 PM March 21 and 22, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  “One of Hollywood’s greatest composers, Korngold created a melodic and lyrical Violin Concerto full of cinematic themes premiered by the STL Symphony in 1947. Gil Shaham, declared by The New York Times as “one of today’s eminent violinists” will shine in this concerto by one of Hollywood’s greatest composers. Dvořák’s New World Symphony takes us on a musical journey through the countryside he revered portraying the picturesque landscape and hopefulness of the American people.”  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Steven Jarvi conductis The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra in Wagner's Rienzi Overture, Elgar's Cello Concerto, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 on Sunday, March 23, at 3 PM.  Grant Riew is the cello soloist.  The performance takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony’s Young Friends of the Symphony presents Sips and Symphonies on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 PM.  "What is Sips and Symphonies? It is a great way to learn about music in a fun, casual environment. On the third Thursday of each month, we get together at Tavern of Fine Arts to listen to and discuss a piece of music being performed at an upcoming concert at Powell Hall. We will have a different guest moderator each month who will help lead an informal conversation about the music."  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 Tavern of Fine Arts presents pianist Jonathan Heaney in a recital featuring music by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff on Friday, March 21, at 5:30 PM. "Jonathan Heaney is a junior at Washington University pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. He focuses on collaborative piano, and frequently performs with singers, orchestras, and other instrumentalists. He attended Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC in the summer of 2013, studying with Gideon Rubin. He was recently given a position as staff pianist for the summer of 2014 with the Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center in Brevard, NC. His principal teacher at Washington University is Seth Carlin.”  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 on Friday, March 21, 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 February 17, 2014

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The Chamber Players of St. Louis and the Laclede Quartet presents a concert of Russian classics by the Laclede Quartet on Sunday, February 23, at 2:30 PM. The concert takes place at the Maryville University Auditorium, 650 Maryville University Drive. For more information: www.lacledequartet.org.

The New Music Circle presents Joshua Abram's New Information Society on Saturday, February 22, at 7:30 PM. "Bassist, composer, and collaborator Joshua Abrams has been an essential voice of Chicago’s vibrant music scene for the past fifteen years, playing and recording as leader and sideman in a wide range of projects and spanning all genres (Hamid Drake, Tortoise, Tony Conrad, Sam Prekop, Jandek, Craig Taborn, Bill Dixon, Kevin Drumm, Bonny “Prince” Billy). Abrams’s most recent project, Natural Information, represents yet another fascinating entry in his composing oeuvre, gathering aesthetic input from all over the globe and melding these influences into his own vivid personal statements. At the heart of Abrams’s sound here is the guimbri, a three-stringed animal hide bass, traditionally used by the Gnawa of North Africa in healing ceremonies. Combining quintet formats with adroit use of sampling techniques, Abrams creates intricate psychedelic environments that join the hypnotic character of Gnawa guimbri music with more contemporary musics and methodologies." The performance takes place at Joe's Café, 6014 Kingsbury. For more information: newmusiccircle.org

St. Louis Cathedral Concerts presents an Organ and Brass Spectacular on Sunday, February 23, at 2:30 PM at the cathedral at 4431 Lindell. “Experience the sonic splendor of Brass and Organ in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. The 7,621 pipes of the Great Cathedral Organ, played by Cathedral Organist Gereon Krahforst, will be joined by Roger Kaza and a quintet of St. Louis Symphony Brass players in this special performance of brass and organ music, written to be performed in a space such at the Cathedral Basilica.” For more information: www.cathedralconcerts.org

The St. Louis Chamber Chorus presents Concert Three: The Ancients Speak - Latin. “We mark the centenary of both our venue and the great British composer, Benjamin Britten, with the St. Louis premiere of his complete cantata, A Boy Was Born. Other early English lyrics inspire seasonal songs by Gustav Holst, Trond Kverno, and Francis Pott, who contributes a brand new carol for this occasion.” The concert takes place on Sunday, February 23, at 3 PM at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information: www.chamberchorus.org

The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presents William Kanengiser in concert on Saturday, February 22, at 8 PM. " Last here as a founding member and first guitar of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet in 2010, it’s been ten years since we’ve heard this most-popular American artist perform in solo recital! Recognized as one of America’s finest classical guitarists, William Kanengiser won First Prize in the 1987 Concert Artists Guild International Competition as well as major guitar competitions in Toronto (1981) and Paris (1983)." The performance takes place at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road. For more information: www.guitarstlouis.net

Bernard Labadie

Bernard Labadie conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with soloists Philip Ross (oboe), Andrew Gott (bassoon), Kristin Ahlstrom (violin), and Melissa Brooks (cello) in a program of music by Rameau, Haydn, and Mozart. Performances take place on Friday at 10:30 AM, Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, February 21-23, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand. “Balancing elegance and moments of great power, Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 is full of charming humor. The beloved work completes a program celebrating the 250th birthday of St. Louis by showcasing talented STL Symphony musicians performing Haydn’s delightful Sinfonia concertante, as well as works by Rameau and Haydn composed in the same year as the founding of St. Louis, 1764.”  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents a free concert on Tuesday, February 178h, beginning at 7 PM at the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park. “The STL Symphony celebrates more than 15 years performing for audiences in the beautiful Piper Palm House inside Tower Grove Park. Each of these popular concerts is followed by a complimentary wine tasting reception. Doors open at 6:30pm and all concerts begin at 7pm. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.” For more information: www.stlsymphony.org/symphony_neighborhood

The St. Louis Symphony’s Young Friends of the Symphony presents Sips and Symphonies on Thursday, February 20, at 7:30 PM. “What is Sips and Symphonies? It is a great way to learn about music in a fun, casual environment. On the third Thursday of each month, we get together at Tavern of Fine Arts to listen to and discuss a piece of music being performed at an upcoming concert at Powell Hall. We will have a different guest moderator each month who will help lead an informal conversation about the music.” 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 Tavern of Fine Arts presents Patrick Rafferty, guitar; Laura Ross, oboe; and Erika Beasley, soprano in concert on Friday, February 21, at 8:00 PM. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Julie Heck

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents pianist Julie Heck in concert on Saturday, February 22, at 8:00 PM. "Join us for an exciting musical martini of classical, jazz, pop, and original compositions mixed together by pianist Julie J. Heck. Julie Heck is a performing artist, accompanist, and private instructor. She holds a BA in Music Business with a concentration in collaborative piano from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was the recipient of several scholarships in college, including the Jack Stephen Gramlich Scholarship, the highest award granted in the music department, and graduated with top honors." 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 January 20, 2014

The Bach Society of St. Louis presents a Young Artist Recital featuring 2013-2014 Young Artists and pianist Sandra Geary on Sunday, January 26, at 4 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Place.  "The 2013-2014 Young Artists are joined by pianist Sandra Geary for an afternoon of Bach solo arias and duets in addition to personal favorites from operatic and recital repertoire. Enjoy hearing soprano Mary Beth Freitag, mezzo soprano Laura Beth Codispoti, tenor Jake Tackett, and bass Ravi Raghuram on their path to careers as soloists."  For more information: www.bachsociety.org.

Eliot Unitarian Chapel presents a Friends of Music Concert on Sunday, January 26, at 3 PM.  The concert features music by Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Brahms.  Eliot Unitarian Chapel is at 100 South Argonne in Kirkwood.  For more information: fomcstl.org.

Rich O'Donnell

HEARding Cats Collective presents Hear What You Don't See, featuring HCC's artistic directors Rich O'Donnell and Doc Mabuse, on Friday, January 24, at 7:30 PM.  "Long time St. Louis percussion and improvising musician Rich O'Donnell will join master syntheist Doc Mabuse for a continuation of their explorations into "theaters of senses." O'Donnell will play his self-invented "SeeSaw percussion," while Mabuse joins him on analog synthesizer and guitar."  The performance takes place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar.  For more information: www.heardingcatscollective.org.

The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presents Festival of Four in concert on Saturday, January 25, at 8 PM.  "This group is beloved both here and around the world for their joyful playing of folk and traditional music of many countries, performed on a variety of flutes and fretted instruments. Last here in 2009, the Festival of Four returns to St. Louis for a fifth time."  The performance takes place at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road.  For more information: www.guitarstlouis.net.

Brett Dean

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents the third in a series of "Beethoven Festival" concerts, as David Robertson conducts the orchestra and viola soloist Brett Dean in Beethoven’s "Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica)" along with Dean’s "Viola Concerto" and "Testament."  Performances take place on Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, January 24 and 25, at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  "Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 pioneered a bold new direction as he expanded the symphonic form into a dramatic masterpiece unfolding with energy and vigor. Astounding audiences since its debut, this work continues to awe listeners with its rhythmic power. Australian violist Brett Dean makes his STL Symphony debut performing his Viola Concerto, a work full of compelling storytelling."  Following the Friday performance, the symphony presents "Ask David," an informal Q&A with David Robertson on the Orchestra level of the Powell Hall.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents a Pulitzer Series Concert on Wednesday, January 22, at 7:30 PM.  David Robertson will conduct members of the St. Louis Symphony in the US premiere of John Cage’s "Three Pieces for Five Orchestras" from 1981.  The performance takes place at the Pultzer Center for the Arts, 3716 Washington.  For more information: stlsymphony.org

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents a town hall meeting to announce its 2014/2015 season on Thursday, January 23, at 6 PM on the state at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  "Join us for a town hall style meeting on the stage of Powell Hall and be the first to learn about STL Symphony concerts planned for the 2014/2015 season. Music Director David Robertson and STL Symphony President & CEO Fred Bronstein will unveil an exciting season and take questions from the audience. Attendees will be treated to a very special five minute performance by STL Symphony first violinist Angie Smart and Circus Flora’s Clowns on Call Conductor Claire Wedemeyer."  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents the Illumine Ensemble on Wednesday, January 22 at 7:30 PM.  "Good food and good music-- two of your favorite things collide! The Illumine Ensemble celebrates St Louis's 250th birthday by shedding a little light on St Louis's culinary history. Enjoy a tasting menu of contemporary and historical foods native to St. Louis while you learn the story behind each of them. Along the way, the Illumine Ensemble pairs each item served with a musical work for a wide-ranging performance including the works of Joplin, Gershwin, Rossini, Mozart, and the one and only Chuck Berry. Did we mention gooey butter cake?"  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 Debby Lennon (soprano), Ken Kulosa (cello), and  Alla Voskoboynikova (piano) in an evening of Russian music on Thuersday, January 22 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.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents The Wires on Saturday, January 25 at 8 PM.  "The Wires are an alternative exploration in string sound. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, The Wires compose and perform original music for violin and cello. Inspired by a myriad of genres and eclectic sounds, The Wires are not your typical strings group. The project encompasses a blend of wide-ranging styles, from tango to gypsy, jazz to rock and infused with the precision of classical form. Created, composed and performed by Laurel Morgan (violin) and Sascha Groschang (cello)."  The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood.  For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.