St. Louis classical calendar for the week of April 27, 2015

Allegra Lilly

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David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with harpist Allegra Lilly and tuba player Michael Sanders on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m., May1-3. "David Robertson conducts a program devoted to beloved dance compositions recognized for their brilliant and rousing arrangements. The program begins with selections from the Bizet's alluring and sensual Carmen. Ravel's most famous work, Bolero, always dazzles audiences with its Spanish charm, pulse-pounding melodies and unique instrumentation. Michael Sanders is the soloist for the Tuba Concerto by Ralph Vaughan Williams." The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The 442s

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents The 442s in concert on Tuesday, April 28 at 8 PM. "What happens when you combine two outstanding members of the world-class St. Louis Symphony with two of the city's finest jazz musicians from the Erin Bode Group? You get The 442's, an exciting new acoustic instrumental quartet named for the modern standard tuning of 442 Hz! Brought together by the innovative and inspired compositions of Adam Maness, who also plays guitar, accordion, melodica and glockenspiel in the group, The 442's features Shawn Weil on violin, Bjorn Ranheim on cello and Sydney Rodway on bass. This unique collaboration, formed in the spring of 2012 by a tight-knit group whose love of good food and fine beer makes rehearsals feel like dinner parties, combines outstanding musicianship, group singing, inventive improvisation, whistle solos and special guest appearances by famed jazz vocalist, Erin Bode. Exploring the boundaries of jazz, classical, folk and rock music, their music can move you to the edge of your seat or comfort you like a lullaby, all within the same set." 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 marimba concert by Thomas Zirkle on Wednesday, April 29 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 Tavern of Fine Arts presents Rachel Petzoldt and Johanna Stull in a concert of music for flute and piano, with a guest appearance by cellist Ben Webb, on Thursday, April 30 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.

The Illumine Ensemble

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents a Music and Cuisine Pairing Concert with the Illumine Ensemble on Friday, May 1, at 7:30 PM. "We've cooked up another MUSIC & 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 soprano Rebecca Drury and pianist Jon Garrett on Saturday, May 2, at 8 PM. "Jon Garrett (pianist, tenor) is joined by Rebecca Drury (soprano) for a wine pairing program exploring the emotional realm of our "Hellos and Goodbyes," in a musical journey of love and loss, life and death, sorrows and celebrations. Musical works will include Schumann's Frauenliebe und -leben song cycle (Woman's Love and Life), German selections by Schubert and Schumann, French songs by Faure, Debussy and Poulenc, popular musical theater, and English songs of Amy Beach and Roger Quilter." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

The Washington University Department of Music presents a concert by the a cappella vocal group The Whiffenpoofs of Yale, on Monday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. "As the nation's oldest a cappella ensemble, the Whiffenpoofs have been sharing music throughout the United States and the world since their founding in 1909. The group combines a unique blend of musicianship, choreography, and showmanship to create a performance suitable for an array of different audiences. Made famous by the signature "Whiffenpoof Song" (which has been covered by artists like Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, and Rudy Vallee), the Whiffs continue their century-old tradition each year with over two hundred performances in venues like Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, and the Rose Bowl." The concert takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City. For more information: music.wustl.edu.

The Washington University Department of Music presents the Washington University Flute Choir and Community Flute Choir in a program of works for flute ensemble by Bach, Mozart, Grainger, McMichael and more. The concert takes place on Monday, April 27, at 8 p.m. at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO. For more information: music.wustl.edu.

The Washington University Department of Music presents the Washington University Wind Ensemble Concert on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO. For more information: music.wustl.edu.

The Washington University Department of Music presents a Guitar Gala, featuring students in the university guitar program, on Thursday, April 30, at 8 p.m. The program includes music by Vivaldi, Villa-Lobos, Rodrigo and others. The performance takes place at Graham Chapel on the Washington University campus. For more information: music.wustl.edu.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of February 16, 2015

Chamber Music Society of STL
at the Sheldon Ballroom

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The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents Belated Love Fest on Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17, at 7:30 PM. "Our popular annual Valentine's Day Salut D'Amour to Romance through music of Brahms, Dvorak, and Satie, performing chamber music of the highest quality in a relaxed, informal, cabaret style where audiences can have an entertaining evening as they sit at a table with friends, share a bottle of wine and light snacks while enjoying beautiful music performed by some of the finest musicians in St. Louis." The concert takes place at The Sheldon Ballroom, 3648 Washington. For more information: chambermusicstl.org.

The New Music Circle presents Okkyung Lee (cello) and Lotte Anker (saxophone) on Saturday, February 21, at 7:30 PM. Okkyung Lee has been developing her own approach to cello performance for over a decade. Unbound by any specific genre or style, her visceral yet communicative sound draws from her background in extended instrumental techniques, Korean traditional musics and contemporary experimental aesthetics. Born in Korea but based in New York City since 2000, she has released several albums on labels such as Tzadik, Ideologic Organ, and Ecstatic Peace. In an unforgettable 2011 performance in St. Louis, Danish saxophonist, Lotte Anker, left a lasting impression on all those who witnessed and an eager anticipation for a return visit. Informed by the rich improvised music scene of Copenhagen during the late ‘80's, Anker has honed a dramatic sense of pacing and tone, juxtaposing brisk sounds against long stretches of extended melody, creating an effect that is both moody and responsive.... and occasionally sounding as if Evan Parker were to sit in with Sun Ship-era Coltrane." The performance takes place at Joe's Café, 6014 Kingsbury. For more information: newmusiccircle.org

The St. Louis Symphony's Crescendo Circle presents Sips and Symphonies on Thursday, February 19, at 7:30 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.

Juraj Valcuha
rte.ie

Juraj Valcuha conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with piano soloist André Watts on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m. February 20 and 21. "Slovakian conductor Juraj Valcuha makes his STL Symphony debut conducting Tchaikovsky's "Pathétique" Symphony, noted for its deliberate and emotional finale, which trails off into silence. Andre Watts joins the STL Symphony for Rachmaninoff's passionate Second Piano Concerto, a work the composer performed in front of St. Louis audiences in 1936." The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Steven Jarvi conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with the Project Trio in From Bach to Rock to Hip Hop on Sunday at 3 p.m., February 22. "Join this high-energy ensemble and the STL Symphony on an interactive journey for the whole family to explore rhythm and music through the years. Travel through time with familiar pieces, such as the William Tell Overture, Brahms' Hungarian Dances, and some Beatbox Bach! " The concert takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Alison Rolf (violin) and Johanna Ballou (piano) on Friday, February 20, at 8 p.m. "Violinist Alison Rolf and pianist Johanna Ballou team up for evening of music at the Tavern for violin and piano by Paul Hindemith, Bela Bartok, and Zoltan Kodály. Johanna Ballou will also perform solo piano works by Heitor Villa-Lobos and Enrique Granados." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Harpsichordist
Maryse Carlin

Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church presents Voices from the Holocaust: Music Makes You Free on Monday, February 16, at 12:15 p.m. " Kathleen Nigro, Gail Fleming, and Barbara Harbach, UMSL faculty members, present a program in honor of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Dachau and Terezin (Theresienstadt) concentration campus. They talk about a visit to Dachau and meeting with a survivor, Mendel Rosenberg, here in St. Louis. They present Fleming's musical arrangement of the Dachaulied taken from the walls at Dachau and original vocal composition Shalom "for the victims of Dachau." Harbach present her song cycle, Terezin Children's Songs, for soprano, violin and piano on children's poetry from the Terezin concentration camp where around 15,000 children between the years 1942-1944 were imprisoned; only100 of them survived. Three outstanding musicians perform the song cycle: Stella Markou, soprano; Julia Sakharova, violin; and Alla Voskoboynikova, piano." Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church is at 8454 Glen Echo Drive in Bel-Nor, MO.

Washington University's Danforth University Chamber Music Series presents harpsichordists Maryse Carlin and Todd Decker in concert on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. The program consists of music by JS Bach, WFE Bach, Gaspard le Roux, and Antonio Soler. 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 17, 2014

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The Chamber Project St. Louis presents Epitaph, featuring works by Debussy, Stravinsky, Schubert, Golijov and Caplet on Tuesday, November 18, at 7:00 PM, as part of its Chamber Project on Tap series. "In this program with works by master composers Debussy, Stravinsky, Schubert, Golijov and Caplet, we examine what is left behind after we depart. Harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet are the featured performers. " The performance takes place at 4 Hands Brewing Company, 1220 South 8th Street. For more information: www.chamberprojectstl.org.

McKendree College presents a St. Louis Symphony Mondays concert featuring member of the SLSO on Monday, November 17, at 7:30 PM. 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 Symphony’s Crescendo Circle presents Sips and Symphonies on Thursday, November 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. This month, Steven Jarvi will present Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons". 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.

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra along with violin soloists Dana Edson Myers and Rebecca Boyer Hall on Friday at 8 p.m., November 21. "David Robertson explores the themes of music and drama, with a meditation, a march, and a ballet, including selections from Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Copland’s Four Dances from Rodeo. Perhaps the best known of all, Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, famously featured in Disney’s Fantasia." The concert takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra along with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, tenor Paul Groves, and cellist Daniel Lee on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., November 22 and 23. " Vocalists Susan Graham and Paul Groves perform Mahler’s most personal work, Das Lied von der Erde, alongside David Robertson and the STL Symphony. In this late composition, Mahler uses the instruments of the orchestra to achieve a chamber-style intimacy. STL Symphony Principal Cello Daniel Lee shines in Schumann’s most enigmatic work, the Concerto in A minor." 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 mezzo-sporano Rebecca Hatlelid and pianist Jon Garret on Saturday, November 22, at 8 PM. "Rebecca Hatlelid, mezzo-soprano, holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southeast Missouri State University. Her performances in school include Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro and the Witch in Hansel and Gretel. Jon Garrett is a recording artist, composer, collaborative pianist and lyric tenor based in Saint Louis, Missouri. His compositions have been featured in performances by the Chamber Chorus and Missouri Ballet Theatre. He has performed with Winter Opera St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera, the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus, Missouri Ballet Theatre and Stray Dog Theatre." 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 Bill Stein, Director of Music Ministries, First Presbyterian Church, Kirkwood, on Friday, November 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.

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents The University Singers and Vocal Point on Monday, November 17, at 7:30 PM at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. "Under the direction of Jim Henry, UMSL’s select choral ensembles University Singers and Vocal Point present a diverse selection of works representing over three centuries of choral music composition. From sacred works by Vivaldi and Bruckner, to the music of contemporary composers Orban, Chien, and Elder, to world folk songs, to selections from the Great American Songbook, to holiday favorites, there is something for every taste, all performed by two of St. Louis’s premier vocal ensembles." For more information: touhill.org.

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents a Piano Studio Concert on Tuesday, November 18, at 7:30 PM at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. "Please join us for the wonderful evening of piano music. Students of Alla Voskoboynikova will perform music by Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov and other composers in the most elegant atmosphere of Lee Theater. Meet the performers after the concert at the lobby." For more information: touhill.org.

The Washington University Department of Music presents a student recital on Monday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. "Join the talented students of Washington University in a performance of works for various instruments. This event is open to the public and free." The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO. For more information: music.wustl.edu.

The Washington University Department of Music presents the Washington University Wind Ensemble featuring Jonathan Reycraft, trombone, on Thursday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. "Join the Washington University Wind Ensemble and trombonist Jonathan Reycraft in a performance of Bert Appermont’s piece, Colors. This performance is Co-Sponsored by the Community Partnerships Program of the St. Louis Symphony. The Washington University Wind Ensemble will also perform pieces by Steven Bryant, Robert Jager, and Darius Milhaud." The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO. For more information: music.wustl.edu.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of October 20, 2014

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John Storgårds

John Storgårds conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and violin soloist Heidi Harris in Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto" Sibelius's "Symphony No. 1," and Paufnik's "Landscapes" Friday and Saturday, Ocrober 24 and 25, at 8 p.m.  "Our own STL Symphony Associate Concertmaster Heidi Harris will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, a popular masterpiece of the violin repertoire that makes the heart sing.  Known as the musical voice of his country, Sibelius captured the essence of Nordic landscapes in works such as his First Symphony." The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Steven Jarvi conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in "Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo," a special Family Concert featuring Saint-Saëns's "Carnival of the Animals" on Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m. "The STL Symphony and the Saint Louis Zoo join forces to show audiences just how musical animals can be! This playful program, based on John Lithgow’s popular children’s book, features Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, Henry Mancini’s Baby Elephant Walk and more." 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 Perseid String Quartet with pianist Diana Umali on Thursday, October 23, at 8 PM.  “The Perseid String Quartet returns to the Tavern for a program that includes Mozart’s famous Quartet No. 14, K. 465, known as the “Dissonance” quartet for the highly unusual and unstable harmonies used in the introduction. On the second half, the quartet teams up with pianist Diana Umali for Schumann’s Piano Quintet, Op.44, an emotive and often boisterous work which the composer said gave “his creative imagination…a new lease on life." The concert is free, donations are accepted and a percent of sale goes to support the performers. Come and enjoy dinner and a drink as we share this beautiful music!”  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 Tim Jansen, Music Director, St. Anthony of Padua Church, on Friday, October 24, 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

Joseph Gascho
kickstarter.com

The Washington University Department of Music presents a harpsichord recital by Joseph Gascho on Wednesday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m. The program includes works by J.S. Bach and Buxtehude, and C.P.E. Bach.  "Harpsichordist Joseph Gascho enjoys a multifaceted musical career as a keyboard artist, conductor, teacher and producer. In 2002, he won first prize in the Jurow International Harpsichord Competition. His most recent recording, Españoletas, featuring Harmonious Blacksmith and percussionist Glen Velez, will be released this summer. Recent performing highlights include concerts with the National Symphony at Carnegie Hall, the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, and conducting Idomeneo for the Maryland Opera Studio. A graduate of the Peabody Institute and the University of Maryland, he taught harpsichord and chamber music at George Washington University before accepting his most recent post at the University of Michigan." The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO.  For more information: music.wustl.edu

The Washington University Department of Music presents a guitar recital by Kirk Hanser of the Washington University faculty on Friday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m.  "The performance will feature music by American composers, including Robert Beaser, Brian Head, Andy York, Michael Hedges, and local bandleader/composer Kim Portnoy. Many friends will be joining Hanser onstage during the evening, including flutist Paula Kasica and guitarist John McClellan." The performance takes place at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity in University City, MO.  For more information: music.wustl.edu