Publication Date: Friday, September 16, 2005
Music
Music
(September 16, 2005)
Art21
Visual art has a soundtrack at this downtown Palo Alto gallery, which mingles art exhibitions with wine tastings, poetry readings and concerts at 539 Alma St. Call (650) 566-1381 or go to art21.us.
The Jeff Rosner Trio will spin jazz tunes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7. Other jazz concerts are expected on Oct. 29 and Nov. 4, with jazz and poetry nights on Oct. 14 and Nov. 11.
Arts at St. Bede's
Monthly concerts, plays, exhibits and speakers happen at St. Bede's Episcopal Church at 2650 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park. Call (650) 854-6555 or go to www.stbedesmenlopark.org.
The Aurora Singers
The Aurora Singers group has tripled in size since it started with about 20 singers in 1988. It holds two concerts each year and rehearses at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto at 505 E. Charleston Road. The winter concert mixes styles and cultures, while the spring concert focuses on American music. Call (650) 210-9210 or go to www.aurorasingers.net for more information.
The winter concert is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto. A June concert is also planned.
California Bach Society
The California Bach Society also tips its hat to composers Benjamin Britten, Orlando Gibbons, John Dowland and Claudio Monteverdi this season. Palo Alto performances are at All Saints Episcopal Church at 555 Waverley St.; concerts are also scheduled in San Francisco and Berkeley. Contact the box office at (415) 262-0272 or info@calbach.org.
Bach's "Cantata 150: Nach dir Herr, verlanget mich" will be performed at the first Palo Alto concert at 8 p.m. on Oct. 21, along with Bach's motet "Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden" and Buxtehude's motet "Cantate Domino."
The 1955 arrangement of Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, along with pieces from the Finnish pan-European collection "Piae Cantiones" and English works of medieval and early Renaissance years.
Sacred anthems and consort songs from the court of James I, written by Gibbons and Dowland, are on the program for March 3. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
"Missa In illo tempore" by Monteverdi is on the bill for April 21, beginning at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $25 general, $18 for students and seniors and $10 for students.
California Youth Symphony
Gearing up for its 54th concert season in the Bay Area, the California Youth Symphony also has big plans to take a tour of China next June. Before then, the Palo Alto-based youth orchestra will perform several 2:30 p.m. concerts under the direction of Leo Eylar. Concert locations are: the Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino; the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 650 N. Delaware St. in San Mateo; Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills; and the Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Call (650) 325-6666 or go to www.cys.org.
The symphony will perform on Nov. 13 at Flint and Nov. 20 in San Mateo, playing music from R. Strauss' "Don Juan," Liszt's "Piano Concerto No. 1," and Holst's "The Planets."
A concert of holiday music is scheduled for Dec. 11 at Smithwick, including the world premiere of Paul Davies' "Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra."
Spring concerts are set for March 19 and May 21 in San Mateo and March 26 and May 14 at Flint. Composers will include Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Eylar.
June 18 heralds the orchestra's "Bon Voyage" concert at Spangenberg, previewing the music that will be played on tour in China. Selections will come from Copland, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Holst.
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $6 for seniors and students and are available through the CYS office and at the door. A family season pass is $50 and a family concert ticket is $12. Special tickets are required for the December and June performances.
Cantabile Choral Guild
Founded in 1979, the Palo Alto-based Cantabile Choral Guild performs classical choral music, sung by younger people (Cantabile Youth Singers) and adults (Cantabile Chorale). There are summer education programs and workshops for youth, as well as a variety of concerts throughout the year. For more information, call (650) 424-1410 or go to www.cantabile.org.
Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) Concerts4Kids and Family Concerts
The Community School of Music and Arts, located at Finn Center at 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View, annually holds a series of free concerts for youngsters on Sunday afternoons at Tateuchi Hall. The same artists perform both at 2 p.m. (Concerts4Kids) and at 4 p.m. (Family Concerts); the earlier performances are intended for preschoolers and other younger children, while the later shows are for older children. Call (650) 917-6800, extension 335, or go to www.arts4all.org/tickets for pre-purchase ticket information.
The Andyland Band brings finger plays, sing-a-longs and stories to the school on Oct. 16. (Both concerts are suitable for younger children.)
Pan Caribe plays Caribbean rhythms on steel pans, keyboards and other instruments on Nov. 13.
Acrobatic dances, costumes and traditional music come along with The Russian Collection on Jan. 29.
Tierra Vieja presents an afternoon of Latin American musical styles including Brazilian songs on Feb. 12.
On Feb. 26, QUADRE - The Voice of Four Horns, a French horn quartet, plays "lively" classical music.
Kulintang is on the bill for May 21, bringing bronze gongs, dances and other musical elements from the Philippines.
June 4 is a day for Baroque music, with violin, harpsichord and cello strains.
CSMA Stanford Lively Arts "Informances"
Teaming up with Stanford Lively Arts, CSMA hosts free informal conversations and musical excerpts from the Stanford season on Mondays or Thursdays at 6 p.m. The events are appropriate for school-aged children through adults and are held at Tateuchi Hall at the school at 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View. Call (650) 917-6800, extension 335, or go to www.arts4all.org.
The three women of the Grammy-award-winning Eroica Trio play piano, violin and cello on Oct. 3.
The four-sibling Ying Quartet performs folk and modern classical music on Dec. 1.
Boston Brass, a quintet playing a mix of classical, jazz and other styles, performs on Feb. 9.
The seven-stringed sitar is the focal point of the afternoon on Feb. 16, when Kartik Seshadri plays Indian classical music.
Young violinist Chee-Yun brings strains of strings to CSMA on May 8.
CSMA Young Musicians of the Bay Area Concerts
Held on Sundays at 4 p.m., these free shows are appropriate for school-aged children and adults. They're at the Community School of Music and Arts' Tateuchi Hall, located at 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View. Call (650) 917-6800, extension 335, or go to www.arts4all.org.
On Dec. 11, young musicians present the "Holiday Music from Around the World" concert, with melodies from the Renaissance to today.
In the "Merit Scholars" concert, students of Ludmila Kurtova and Brian Bensing perform music for piano, flute solos and ensembles on March 5.
On April 23, another "Merit Scholars" performance presents piano students of Ludmila Kurtova.
The Cantabile Youth Singers perform May 7, singing traditional and modern works.
CSMA Faculty and Friends Concerts
School artists, educators and colleagues craft varied programs of music on Thursdays at 7 p.m. The performances, which take place at CSMA's Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View, are appropriate for school-aged children through adults. Call (650) 917-6800, extension 335, or go to www.arts4all.org.
Frank Wiens, artist in residence at the University of the Pacific, plays solo piano works such as Chopin's "Sonata No. 2 in B flat Minor" on Nov. 3.
Works by composer Toru Takemitsu are set for Jan. 19, with solo and duo works on guitar and flute.
The creations of women composers such as Poldowski, Hensel, Reichardt, Lehmann and others will be played at the March 16 concert.
"Blues and the Saxophone" is the theme of the April 6 performance, with styles such as the Kansas City Shuffle, Boogie Woogie and Gutbucket Blues.
Piano Trios by Brahms and Shostakovich are planned for May 18.
Tango Porteno SF brings classical and Argentine dance music to the school on June. 1.
Tickets are $8 general and $4 for students and seniors.
CSMA Classes Without Quizzes
Arts educators from around the region give lectures on music and the visual arts on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Lectures are held at CSMA's Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View. Call (650) 917-6800, extension 335, or go to www.arts4all.org.
"Splendor in the Park" provides an Oct. 20 introduction to the new de Young Museum of San Francisco, given by Julia Geist of Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
"King Tut Returns" on Nov. 10, thanks to Lisa Schwappach-Shirriff of the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose.
In the "Jazz 101: How to Listen and 'Get It'" lecture on Jan. 12, Alisa Clancy of KCSM at the College of San Mateo will speak with a jazz trio led by her husband, Clint Baker.
Kay Payne of Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco speaks March 2 on "After the Ruins 1906-2006: SF's Earthquake and Fire Remembered."
"Opera 101: What Your Mother Never Told You" is set for April 20, presented by Robert Hartwell of Foothill College.
In "Art that Bridges, Swirls & Melts," Fran Rushing of De Anza College speaks May 11 on modern installation artists.
Tickets are $10 general and $8 for students and seniors.
CSMA Special Events
As if the flurry of regular concerts weren't enough, CSMA has also scheduled a raft of special musical and other arts-related events for the coming year. All are held at the school's Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. Call (650) 917-6800 or go to www.arts4all.org.
Dance, drama, music and poetry combine on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. when Noh Master Junnosuke Watanabe and his troupe perform -- direct from Japan, and along with a sake reception.
Tickets are $75.
A World Harmony Chorus concert and sing-a-long is planned for Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., conducted by Daniel Steinberg.
Admission is free.
Japanese bamboo flute and table harp music will be played by Masayuki Koga and Michiyo Koga at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4.
Tickets are $20.
On March 12 at 2 p.m., a film called "Pasajero: A Journey of Time and Memory & Los Cenzontles" tells the story of a group of Mexican musicians accompanying their mariachi mentor home to Mexico. The musicians, Los Cenzontles, will perform following the one-hour film.
Tickets are $15.
The Ives Quartet performs music by Mozart and Beethoven at 7 p.m. on April 1.
Tickets are $20.
A Japanese flower arranging and tea ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. on April 29, thanks to Ikebana International and the Urasenke Foundation.
Tickets are $20.
El Camino Youth Symphony
Directed by Camilla Kolchinsky, ECYS starts its 43rd season fresh from a tour of Central Europe, where the musicians performed in Budapest, Prague and other cities. The orchestra is based at 2439 Birch St., Suite 3, in Palo Alto. Performances are at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 300 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto, the California Theatre at 345 S. First St. in San Jose, and in the Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Call (650) 327-2611 or go to www.ecys.org.
The season opens Oct. 1 with a Faculty & Friends recital at which faculty members and local music teachers will play. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark's.
Tickets are $10 general and $5 for students and seniors.
ECYS' premier orchestra, the Senior Symphony, will hold concerts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in the California Theatre and at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Spangenberg Theatre. The program will include Beethoven's "Symphony No. 2," Hindesmith's "Symphonic metamorphosis of themes by Carl Maria von Weber" and performances by ECYS Concerto Competition winners.
Tickets are $10/$5.
The annual Holiday Concert is set for Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m. in the Spangenberg Theatre, featuring special guest Afro/Cuban percussionist Michail Spiro. The program includes contemporary American pieces such as John Adams' "Short Ride on a Fast Machine." ECYS Concerto Competition winners will also play.
Tickets are $10/$5.
David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, will headline the two Annual Symphony Benefit concerts in two performances of Brahms' "Violin Concerto." The performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 25 at the California Theatre and 7:30 p.m. March 26 at the Spangenberg Theatre. ECYS will also play Rossini's "William Tell Overture" and Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite."
Tickets are $30/$20.
David Kim will also conduct a master class at 7:30 p.m. on March 24 at St. Mark's.
Tickets are $10/$5.
The season finale is at 7:30 p.m. on June 4 at the Spangenberg Theatre. Featured pieces are expected to include Barber's "School for Scandal Overture," Borodin's "Polovtsian Dances," and Lalo's "Cello Concerto in D minor." There will also be a special performance by the ECYS percussion ensemble.
Tickets are $10/$5.
First Congregational Church of Palo Alto
A holiday concert by the church's Oratorio Society and Orchestra is scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 18 in the church at 1985 Louis Road in Palo Alto. More information about the church is available at (650) 856-6662 and www.fccpa.org.
Music at the Dec. 18 concert will be Haydn's "Mass for St. Nicholas," "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Vaughan Williams, "Christmas Day" by Gustav Holst and "In Terra Pax" by Gerald Finzi. Tickets are $10 general and $5 for students and seniors.
Fortnightly Music Club
A 98-year-old Palo Alto tradition, the Fortnightly Music Club is a music performance group that includes musicians (some of them professionals) and music enthusiasts who meet regularly. The club holds formal concerts periodically throughout the year. Free and open to the public, the concerts take place at the Palo Alto Art Center at 1313 Newell Road in Palo Alto. For more information, go to www.fortnightlymusicclub.org.
Concerts for the coming season are scheduled for the following dates: Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 5, April 2 and May 7.
HaShirim
This choral group of about 30 people sings in Hebrew and English, with many arrangements of traditional Jewish music. The group is based at Congregation Beth Am at 26790 Arastradero Road in Los Altos Hills, and performs at various events around the community such as the annual "To Life!" street fair on California Avenue in Palo Alto. For more information, go to www.hashirim.org.
Ives Quartet
The chamber music of the Ives Quartet comes to Palo Alto, San Jose and San Francisco for fall, winter and spring concerts. The group has been quartet-in-residence at the Rocky Ridge Music Festival in Colorado, and also brings its strains of strings to many series and festivals. Palo Alto concerts are held at 8 p.m. in St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 600 Colorado Ave. Call (408) 554-5832 or go to www.ivesquartet.org.
The Palo Alto fall concert is scheduled for Nov. 5. The program will be: Schoenberg's "Quartet No. 2, Op. 10" and Schubert's "Quartet in D Minor, D. 810, 'Death and the Maiden.'" Guest artist Elza van den Heever, a soprano, will perform.
On Jan. 28, the quartet will perform Mozart's "Adagio and Fugue, K. 546," Beethoven's "Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3," and Leo Ornstein's "Piano Quintet (1927)." Guest artist Janice Weber, a pianist, will play, and Severo Ornstein will give a pre-concert talk.
May 11 brings Charles Ives' "Quartet No. 1," Roger Bourland's "String Quartet No. 1: Four Poets" (a world premiere), and Mendelssohn's "Quartet in E flat Major, Op. 12."
Tickets are $25 general, $20 for seniors and $15 for students.
Magnificat
The 17th century takes center stage when Magnificat, a San Francisco-based vocal and instrumental ensemble focusing on the early Baroque period, performs under the direction of Warren Stewart. Local concerts are at the First Lutheran Church at 600 Homer Ave. in Palo Alto, Fridays at 8 p.m. Go to www.magnificatbaroque.org or call (415) 979-4500 to order tickets.
Madrigals and solo songs with words from Guarini's verse play "Il Pastor Fido" will be performed Sept. 30. The play inspired many composers represented in the concert, including Monteverdi and Schutz.
On Dec. 9, Magnificat brings back one of its popular programs from the past, performing "Nativity Pastorale" by Charpentier. The piece includes dialogues, ensembles and instrumentals for recorders, flutes and violins.
The vocal chamber music of Heinrich Schutz , including "Symphoniae Sacrae," is scheduled for Jan. 27, along with North German violin music from the period.
Johann Rosenmuller's vespers liturgy for the feast of the Annunciation will be performed March 31.
Series subscription packages are $80 general, $60 for seniors and $40 for students. Single tickets cost $25 general, $18 for seniors and $12 for students.
Master Sinfonia
The resident orchestra at Foothill College, located at 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills, the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra performs several Peninsula concerts. Go to www.mastersinfonia.org.
"Stravinsky and Dance" will be performed Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church at 945 Portola Road in Portola Valley and Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. at Los Altos United Methodist Church at 655 Magdalena Ave. in Los Altos Hills. The program is: Tchaikovsky/Stravinsky's "Bluebird Pas de Deux from 'Sleeping Beauty,'" Stravinsky's suite from "Pulcinella," and Stravinsky's "Histoire du Soldat."
"From Mozart to Elvis" is at 7:30 on Jan. 28 at St. Bede's Episcopal Church at 2650 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, and at 3 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Los Altos United Methodist church. The program is: Daugherty's "Dead Elvis," Copland's "Music for the Theater," and Mozart's "Symphony No. 36 in C Major."
"Musical Gifts from England" is at 8 p.m. on March 25 at Valley Presbyterian Church and at 3 p.m. at Los Altos United Methodist Church. The program is: Holst's "Brook Green Suite," Britten's "Concerto for Violin and Viola" and Haydn's "Symphony No. 99 in E flat Major."
The year's fourth concert will be at 8 p.m. on May 13 at Valley Presbyterian Church and at 3 p.m. on May 14 at Los Altos United Methodist Church. The opening overture is yet to be announced. It will be followed by Saint-Saens' "Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major."
Tickets are $18 general, $15 for seniors and $5 for children under 18. Group discounts are available.
Menlo Park Chorus
Singers of all levels make music with the Menlo Park Chorus: if they can't read notes on the page, they learn their parts through the group's website. Music director and conductor Michael Paul Gibson leads the rehearsals at the Burgess Recreation Center at 701 Laurel St. in Menlo Park. Call (408) 873-9000 or go to www.bamusic.org.
The chorus's concert for the fall quarter, "Wars of the Worlds," is a joint performance with the Silicon Valley Symphony and the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos's Chancel Choir, held at the church at 16575 Shannon Road at 7 p.m. Nov. 19. The program is: Beethoven Symphony No. 3 and Haydn's "Mass in Time of War" with the Menlo Park Chorus and the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos' Chancel Choir.
Tickets are $20 general and $15 for seniors and students.
Music in the Redwoods
Local musicians and ensembles play against the lush backdrop of the redwood grove at Valley Presbyterian Church at 945 Portola Road in Portola Valley. For more information, call (650) 851-8282, extension 106, or go to www.valleypreschurch.org.
New Century Chamber Orchestra
There's no conductor at the New Century Chamber Orchestra: musicians play off each other. Palo Alto concerts are held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 600 Colorado Ave. at 8 p.m. For more information, call (415) 357-1111 or go to www.ncco.org.
The Jan. 13 concert includes "Concerto No. 3, BWV 1054 in D major for harpsichord" by Bach, "Battalia" by Heinrich von Biber, "Concerto in F major, RV 544 for violin and cello" by Vivaldi, "Sinfonia from BWV 18" by Bach, "Serenata Con Altre Arie" by Johann Heinich Schmelzer, and "La Folie" by Corelli.
The Feb. 24 concert's program is: "Divertimento in D major, KV 136" by Mozart, "Solo Cello and Strings" by Gang Situ and "Serenade, Op. 22 in E major" by Dvorak.
On April 28, the orchestra will play "Crisantemi" by Puccini, "Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95" by Beethoven and "Soul Garden" by Derek Bermel.
Tickets are $42/$28, with half-price tickets for students with ID. A three-concert pass is available at $114/$75.
Nova Vista Symphony
Led by music director Nuvi Mehta, the symphony performs at 8 p.m. at Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. More information is available at www.novavista.org or by calling (408) 530-0700.
The first of the season's four concerts is on Oct. 1, with the following program: Mozart's "Sinfonia Concertante K. 297b," Shostakovich's "Festive Overture," Borodin's "Polovetsian Dances," and Prokofiev's "Piano Concerto #1, Op. 10 in D-flat."
The Dec. 17 concert features violinist Jennifer Wei and includes "Symphony no. 2 (Sinfonia India)" by Chaves, "Carmen Fantasy on themes of Bizet, Op. 25," by Sarasate, and "Symphonie Fantastique" by Berlioz.
Violinist Rick Shinozaki is featured in the Feb. 4 concert, which includes Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and to-be-announced Baroque selections for winds and brass.
Ann Krinitsky, the new music director for the Palo Alto Philharmonic, is the guest conductor at the April 22 performance. The program is yet to be announced.
Season tickets are $45 general, $36 for seniors and $24 for students. Individual tickets are $15 general, $12 for seniors and $8 for students. Children under 12 are free. A $1 discount off adult and senior ticket purchases is available if tickets are purchased in advance.
Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra
This youth orchestra celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. PACO has several levels of orchestras, ranging from SuperStrings for younger musicians to the senior orchestra. Conducted by Benjamin Simon, PACO is based at 4000 Middlefield Road, M-1, Palo Alto. Call (650) 856-3848 or go to www.pacomusic.org.
The senior PACO orchestra holds four concerts this year at Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford University. On Oct. 29 at 8 p.m., the orchestra will play Mendelssohn's "String Symphony #10 in B Minor," Mozart's "Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Major, K. 207," "Fall" from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," and Shostakovich's "Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a."
PACO's Dec. 17 concert begins at 8 p.m. and includes the following music: "Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73" by Beethoven, selections from "West Side Story" by Leonard Bernstein, and "Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 709" by Schubert.
The Feb. 26 PACO concert starts at 8 p.m. and includes Mozart's "Overture to Cosi fan tutte," Schumann's "Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129," Robert Stern's "Hazkarah for Cello & Strings" and Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto #3 in G Major, BWV 1048."
The June 3 concert begins at 3 p.m. Its program is: Bach's "Concerto for Three Violins in D Major, BWV 1064," Mozart's "Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major, K. 495," and Mozart's "Symphony No. 29 in A Major, K. 201." There will also be a world premiere of a new work written by Matthew Cmiel for PACO.
Tickets for these senior PACO concerts are $5-$10 preferred seating.
Senior PACO is also performing three Sunday concerts in the "A Bach Celebration" series. These will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 12, 19 and 26 at Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley.
Tickets are $10/$12.
PACO also has several concerts planned for its other orchestras. The Sinfonia (formerly called Junior PACO) orchestra performs at 8 p.m. on three Saturdays: Nov. 19, Feb. 18 and May 13. Concerts are at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto.
Tickets are $5/$8.
Concerts by the Debut Ensemble (formerly Training PACO) are scheduled for 3 p.m. on three Sundays: Nov. 13, March 5, and June 4. The first two concerts are at Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. The third is at the Palo Alto Art Center at 1313 Newell Road. There is a suggested donation for tickets.
The Preparatory Orchestra plays at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 and June 2. There is a suggested donation for the concerts, which take place at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 670 E. Meadow Drive in Palo Alto.
SuperStrings is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 and June 2 at Covenant Presbyterian Church. There is a suggested donation for tickets.
Palo Alto Performances Series
A mix of musical performances is organized by the city of Palo Alto's Arts and Culture Division, taking place at the Arts Center Auditorium at 1313 Newell Road. Call (650) 463-4940 or go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/artsculture/performances.html.
The musical biography "Oh Mr. Souza!" is scheduled for Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.
The Picasso Ensemble plays works by Haydn, Turina and Schubert at 3 p.m. on Oct. 30.
Tickets are $12 to $14 and available only at the door.
Palo Alto Philharmonic
Under the baton of new music director and conductor Ann Krinitsky, the Palo Alto Philharmonic has planned an 18th season with music from Europe, North Africa, the Near East, the jazz world, and the sometimes-forgotten world of childhood. Concerts are held either at Cubberley Theatre at 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto or at the Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium, 1313 Newell Road. For more information, call (650) 988-6600 or go to www.paphil.org.
"Have Music, Will Travel" is the theme of the first symphony concert of the season, held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Cubberley Theatre. The program is: "L'Italian in Algeri" by Gioacchino Rossini, "Symphony No. 85 in B flat Major, 'La Reine'" by Joseph Haydn, and "Scheherazade, Op. 35" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
A chamber music concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Palo Alto Art Center.
The Dec. 3 concert at Cubberley Theatre features soloist Akimi Fukuhara on piano and is themed "Looking Back, Looking Forward." The program contains music chosen to bring listeners back to their youth: "Notes from Childhood" by Michael Gandolfi, "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11" by Frederick Chopin, "Children's Corner Suite" by Claude Debussy, and "Joyeuse Marche" by Emmanual Chabrier. The performance is at 8 p.m. at the Cubberley Theatre.
"Dazzling Drumming, Jumping Jazz" is the theme of the Feb. 18 concert, which takes place at 8 p.m. at the Cubberley Theatre. A highlight is the world premiere of the "Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra" by composer-in-residence Lee Actor, featuring soloist Stuart Chafetz. Other music is "Le Boeuf sur le toit, Op. 58" by Darius Milhaud, "Jazz Suite No. 2" by Dimitri Shostakovich, "Five Movements in Color" by Mary Watkins, and a medley tribute to Duke Ellington.
Another chamber music concert is set for 8 p.m. March 11 at the Palo Alto Art Center.
"Virtuoso Violinist, Festive Finale" is the season's last symphony concert, scheduled for 8 p.m. on April 8 in the Cubberley Theatre. Violin soloist Juliana Athayde will be featured in the program, which is: "Carnival Overture, Op. 92" by Antonin Dvorak, "Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64" by Felix Mendelssohn, and "Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36" by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Individual tickets for the shows are $16 general, $14 for seniors ages 62 and over, and $7 for students. Season tickets are $56/$48/$20.
The Palo Alto Philharmonic is also planning a youth and family concert for May 21. Tickets will be $5.
Peninsula Pops Orchestra
The 60-piece Peninsula Pops Orchestra specializes in Broadway, Hollywood, TV, jazz and pop music, under the direction of Kim Venaas. Its shows take place mostly at the Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Call (650) 856-8432 or go to www.peninsulapops.org.
Halloween is the theme of Spooktacular, a family concert scheduled for 3 p.m. Oct. 23.
The Fireside Holiday Gala concert takes place at 3 p.m. on Dec. 4.
"Big Band Blast" is the theme of the concerts to be held at 8 p.m. on April 1 and at 3 p.m. on April 2.
June 4 marks a 3 p.m. concert titled "Hollywood or Bust."
Tickets are $10 to $18, and children are free when accompanied by their parents.
Peninsula Symphony
Strings, guitar, piano, a free summer pops concert in Palo Alto and a swing-dancing evening are on the menu for Peninsula Symphony's upcoming season. The group is based at 146 Main St., Suite 207, in Los Altos and performs up and down the Peninsula. For more information, call (650) 941-5291 or go to www.peninsulasymphony.org.
"Titans," the first concert of the season, features pianist Jon Nakamatsu and includes works by Wagner, Beethoven and Mahler. There are two 8 p.m. performances: one on Oct. 21 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, and the second on Oct. 22 at Flint Center at De Anza College in Cupertino.
Other concerts are planned for Jan. 20 at the Fox Theatre, Jan. 21 at Flint Center, March 10 at the San Mateo center, March 11 at the Fox Theatre, and May 19 at the San Mateo center.
Tickets are $32 general and $27 for students and seniors. Series tickets for four Friday or four Saturdays concerts are $80/$65 and tickets for two concerts are $45/$36.
On July 31, the symphony hosts a free summer pops concert in the park, held at Oak Creek Apartments at 1600 Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto at 3 p.m. The program is: "Festive Overture, Op. 96" by Shostakovich, "Polovtsian Dances" by Borodin, "Concerto for Violin and Cello, Op. 102, Allegro" by Brahms, "Jupiter, from 'The Planets'" by Holst, "Broadway Tonight!" arranged by Chase, selections from "The Pajama Game" by Adler/Ross, and selections from "Oklahoma!" by Rodgers.
A special "Swing Fever" fundraiser concert is scheduled for Nov. 12 from 6 to 11 p.m. in the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. A 12-piece swing band will perform, and there will be a reception and dinner.
Tickets are $125 per person, $1,000 for a table of eight, and $1,250 for a table of 10.
The symphony is also planning a holiday concert themed "In Remembrance" with the Stanford University Symphonic Chorus. Two performances are scheduled at the Memorial Church at Stanford: one at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and one at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 4.
Tickets are $20.
A family concert is also scheduled for April 2 at 3 p.m. at the Bayside Performing Arts Center at 2025 Kehoe Ave. in San Mateo.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 16 and under.
Peninsula Women's Chorus
Based in Palo Alto, the Peninsula Women's Chorus holds several performances in Menlo Park, Santa Clara and San Francisco. For ticket information, call (650) 327-3095 or go to pwchorus.org.
The Menlo Park winter concerts, titled "An Asian Winter and Other Litanies," are scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at St. Patrick's Seminary at 320 Middlefield Road. The program includes Vincent Persichetti's "Winter Cantata" accompanied by flute and marimba, Francis Poulenc's "Litanies á la Vierge Noire" with organ, and contemporary works by Chen Yi, Chan Ka Nin and Hungarian and American composers, and a holiday music set.
The spring Menlo Park concert, "Discantoribus," will also be held at St. Patrick's, at 8 p.m. on May 20.
Peninsulaires Barbershop Chorus
Four-part harmonies provide a soundtrack for the Cubberley Community Center at 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto when the Peninsulaires rehearse there on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. Rehearsals are open to the public; people can sing with the group as a guest for free. For more information, cal (408) 394-3414 or go to www.barbershop-harmony.org.
The Peninsulaires have planned a full afternoon and evening of events on Nov. 19 at St. Albert the Great Church Hall at 1095 Channing Ave. in Palo Alto. Events will include a 1:30 p.m. ice cream social and strolling quartets and a 6:15 cabaret dinner show. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children for the ice cream social, and $20 for the cabaret dinner show (including lasagna, salad and dessert).
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Guided by conductor Nicholas "Nic" McGegan, who focuses on Baroque and Classical music, the San Francisco-based Philharmonia Orchestra played in Europe this summer. This fall, the group is back in the Bay Area, playing several concerts in Palo Alto at the First United Methodist Church at Hamilton Avenue and Webster Street. Call (415) 252-1288 or go to www.philharmonia.org.
The Handel opera "Atalanta" begins the season with the tale of the shrewd heroine from Greek mythology. The Palo Alto concert is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
"Musica de la Noche" is the theme of the Oct. 21 concert, which will contain a diverse program of Spanish Classical masterworks. Show time is 8 p.m.
"Vivaldi Virtuosi" comes to Palo Alto on Nov. 4, with five Vivaldi concertos: two for violins, one for cellos, one for oboe and bassoon, and one for oboe and violin. Show time is 8 p.m.
Mozart's arrangement of "Messiah" is set for Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 marks "The Violin Triumphant," including music by Uccellini, Biber, Handel, Tartini and Locatelli. Show time is 8 p.m.
"Amadé's Anniversary" is scheduled for 8 p.m. on March 3, with three works by Mozart: "Clarinet Concerto in A major, KV 622," "Arias" and "Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV 550."
The April 20 concert is themed "Ode to Joy," with Beethoven's "Overture to King Stephen," "Opferlied, Op. 121," "Elegischer Gesang, Op. 118" and "Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral.'" The concert will also include Cannabich's cantata composed in Mozart's memory. Show time is 8 p.m.
Tickets for the full series of seven concerts are $299-$385, with four-concert tickets set at $171-$220 and three-concert tickets at $128-$165.
Ragazzi
The boys of the San Mateo-based Ragazzi perform choral music up and down the Peninsula. This year's season includes joint concerts with other ensembles of singers as well. For more information, call (650) 342-8785 or go to www.ragazzi.org.
Here are some of Ragazzi's concerts this season:
In December, there will be several holiday concerts, titled "An American Christmas." The Dec. 11 performance is in Menlo Park, at St. Bede's Episcopal Church at 3650 Sand Hill Road. The program will include folk songs such as "I Wonder as I Wander" and music from composers William Billings, Charles Ives, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Samuel Barber.
The "Winter Recital" is scheduled for Dec. 10 in Redwood City, and the "Spring Recital" is set for June 10 at St. Bede's Episcopal Church.
On June 22 and 23, the group will perform Liszt's "Dante Symphony" with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco.
July 8 marks Ragazzi's "Bon Voyage!" concert, which will take place at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter at 178 Clinton St. in Redwood City.
Redwood Symphony
Founder and music director Eric Kujawsky heads the Redwood Symphony, which is dedicated to a mostly contemporary repertoire. The group also seeks to make its concerts enjoyable for newcomers to classical music.
Based at 1031 16th Ave. in Redwood City, the symphony performs in several Peninsula locations. Concerts this season will include: a 20th anniversary performance in San Mateo on Oct. 3, an evening of Jewish music on May 21 at Temple Beth Jacob in Redwood City, and a pops concert on July 22 at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. For more information, call (650) 366-6872 or go to www.redwoodsymphony.org.
The San Francisco Early Music Society
Music of the ages, from Baroque chamber music to 15th-century chansons, is the bailiwick of the San Francisco Early Music Society. The Berkeley-based group performs in Palo Alto, San Francisco and Berkeley; the Palo Alto concerts are held at First Lutheran Church at 600 Homer St. on Fridays at 8 p.m. Call (510) 528-1725 or go to www.sfems.org.
This season's first Palo Alto concert, "The Last Lutenist in Vienna," is scheduled for Sept. 16. Lute concertos by Karl Kobaut (1726-1784) will be performed.
"Orpheus Brittanicus," a night of 17th-century British compositions for voice, viols and lute, is set for Nov. 4.
"Les Sept Sauts," Baroque chamber music from the court of Stuttgart highlighted by the sounds of Turkish percussion, is scheduled for Nov. 11.
Dec. 16 marks "Buon Natale!" with holiday music from Italy, Spain and Latin America. Latin rhythms and sacred polyphony are some of the ingredients in this mix of composers including Giovanni Legrenzi and Giuseppe Valentini.
"I Oltremontani" is the Jan. 13 concert, spotlighting the music of 15th-century Northern European musicians who voyaged south to play and teach in Italy. Compositions will include chansons, motets and dances with wind instruments and organ settings.
Jan. 20 marks "Fantastic Eras," with compositions from the 17th and 20th centuries.
"Curiose Invenzioni" means Italian music from the 16th and 17th centuries on Feb. 17, including works by Biagio Marini, Giovanni Battista Fontana and Giovanni Antonio Terzi.
Lastly, "Paris in the Spring" explores songs of the 17th-century French court on May 12, with compositions by Pierre Guedron, Gabriel Bataille, Etienne Moulinie and others.
Subscriptions for the series are $170 for non-members, $150 for members and seniors, and $8 for children ages eight and under. Individual tickets are $25 for non-members and $22 for members and seniors.
Schola Cantorum
Baroque, Christmas and Russian music mark Schola Cantorum's 2005-06 season. The voices sing at the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto at 625 Hamilton Ave., the Los Gatos United Methodist Church at 111 Church St., and Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale at 1112 S. Bernardo Ave. Call (650) 254-1700 or go to www.scholacantorum.org.
"Timeless Baroque Treasures" is the first concert of the season, with music from Pachebel, Bach, Caldara, Vivaldi, Telemann, Padilla, Buxtehude and Titov. It will be performed at 8 p.m. on Oct. 22 at First United Methodist and at 4 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Los Gatos United Methodist.
"Christmas Garland" is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at First United Methodist and 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at Los Gatos United Methodist. The program will include Wendell Whalum's "Betlehemu" and Vaclav Nelhybel's "Estampie Natalis."
"The Many Moods of Russia" will include music by Tchaikovsky and Titov, set for March 25 at First United Methodist and March 26 at Los Gatos United Methodist.
Lastly, "Music of Hope and Peace" pairs Schola Cantorum with the Redwood Symphony at 7 p.m. on June 11 at Congregational Community Church. The program includes music by Bruckner and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Season tickets are $70 for adults and $54 for students and seniors. Individual tickets are $22/$18.
Silicon Valley Symphony
Under the baton of Michael Paul Gibson, who also conducts the Menlo Park Chorus, the Silicon Valley Symphony will perform two concerts at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos at 16575 Shannon Road. Details are at www.bamusic.org.
Soli Deo Gloria
The voices of Soli Deo Gloria sing classical choral music with orchestra as well as a cappella. Singers perform in Palo Alto, San Francisco and the East Bay. Tickets for the three-concert 30th season are $57 general and $42 for students and seniors. For more information, call (650) 424-1242 or go to sdgloria.org.
"Annunciation and Expectation" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 in Palo Alto, held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 300 Colorado Ave. The program will include Bach's cantata "Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern."
Tickets are $22 general and $17 for students and seniors.
"Latin Elegance" will be an a cappella concert of Italian Renaissance music by de Victoria and Palestrina and Spanish compositions by de Morales and Guerrero. The Palo Alto concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 3 at First Lutheran Church at 600 Homer Ave.
Tickets are $18/$13.
Stanford Jazz Workshop
Besides its annual summer flurry of jazz workshops, jam sessions and classes, the Stanford Jazz Workshop holds other events during the year. More information is available at www.stanfordjazz.org, or call (650) 736-0324.
A weekend jazz appreciation symposium is scheduled for Oct. 29 through Oct. 31, including educational activities, concerts and a masquerade party. Events are held at Braun Music Center at Stanford University.
Stanford Music Department
Concerts and recitals are held throughout the year through the Stanford Music Department, featuring students, faculty and guest artists. Noon recitals, lectures and forums are among the offerings, often held in Campbell Recital Hall or Dinkelspiel Auditorium. For more information, call (650) 723-2720 or go to music.stanford.edu. Ticket information is at (650) 725-ARTS.
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