Previews

Michael Zwiebach - December 8, 2009

Linda Ronstadt narrates the annual winter concert performance of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Michael Zwiebach - December 8, 2009

Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble hop on the holiday bandwagon with their ninth annual Voices in Peace concert. The small choir goes for broke with an ambitious program ranging from Gregorian chant to Francis Poulenc's Litanies to the Black Virgin. Dedicated to performing music by and for women, the group is featuring Emma Lou Diemer's Hail, O Greenest Branch among their offerings.

Ken Iisaka - December 8, 2009
Ever since I heard Marc-André Hamelin perform Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in Ottawa some 20 years ago, I have always found his highly deft technique and clean, transparent interpretation to be an inspiration.
SFCV Staff - December 3, 2009

If you have never attended a San Francisco Bach Choir holiday concert, you are missing out on a heart-warming affair.

Michael Zwiebach - December 1, 2009

The Tallis Scholars sing in Berkeley this week, courtesy of Cal Performances. At the First Congregational Church, they perform one of Josquin des Prez’ greatest works, the sublime Missa de Beata Vergine (Mass of the Blessed Virgin).

Lisa Houston - December 1, 2009
With an abundance of choices for choral music this season, you might want to mark your calendar for “Canción de Navidad,” the Dec. 12 and 13 concerts of Clerestory, a relative newcomer to the Bay Area’s choral scene.
Jason Victor Serinus - December 1, 2009
A significant homecoming is on the horizon for the Kronos Quartet. On Dec. 13 at UC Berkeley’s Hertz Hall, the astounding Joan Jeanrenaud, who was the quartet’s cellist for two decades before taking her leave over 10 years ago, rejoins her old cohorts for the world premiere of Vladimir Martynov’s Schubert-Quintet (Unfinished).
Marianne Lipanovich - November 30, 2009
“Old-fashioned” Christmas music takes on a new meaning when the Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players celebrate the holiday season at Kohl Mansion on Dec. 13. Like its parent group, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, this chamber music quartet performs early music on period instruments.
Michael Zwiebach - November 25, 2009

J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio is actually six separate cantatas that were designed to be performed in church on Christmas and the following feast-days (the annunciation to the shepherds, Dec. 26; the adoration of the shepherds, Dec. 27; Jesus' name day and circumcision, Jan. 1; the journey of the Magi (the Sunday after New Year's Day); and the feast of Epiphany).

Michael Zwiebach - November 24, 2009

Sacred and Profane is another Bay Area chorus that flies, or sings, underneath the radar. But in its 32-year existence, this Berkeley-based group (which still sports one original member) has been led by several well-regarded music directors, who have kept this community chamber chorus vital. For the last five years, their leader has been Rebecca Seeman, a director who approaches programming like a watchmaker.