FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2008 AT 8:00PM
The Ives Quartet
Bettina Mussumeli, violin; Susan Freier, violin; Jodi Levitz, viola; Stephen Harrison, 'cello
The Ives Quartet has established a reputation for passion, precision, and provocative programming, winning accolades for playing that shows both super-refinement and visceral, rock-and-roll intensity. The three works on their program for this concert embody the breadth of Beethoven's compositional styles, from the classicism of his first quartet (Op.18, No.3,), the heroism of Op.59, No.1 through to the intensely personal statement of the Grosse Fuge. Exploring the Beethoven quartets has been a consistent focus of the Ives since the ensemble debuted in 1998.
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The Ives Quartet
Bettina Mussumeli, violin; Susan Freier, violin; Jodi Levitz, viola; Stephen Harrison, 'cello
The Ives Quartet has established a reputation for passion, precision, and provocative programming, winning accolades for playing that shows both super-refinement and visceral, rock-and-roll intensity. The three works on their program for this concert embody the breadth of Beethoven's compositional styles, from the classicism of his first quartet (Op.18, No.3,), the heroism of Op.59, No.1 through to the intensely personal statement of the Grosse Fuge. Exploring the Beethoven quartets has been a consistent focus of the Ives since the ensemble debuted in 1998.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2008 AT 8:00PM
Michael Edwards, clarinet
Michael Edwards, clarinet; Timothy Bach, piano
Michael Edwards, recognized as one of the world’s leading exponents of the clarinet, presents a program highlighted by the North American Premiere of Four Movements for Clarinet and Piano, written for him by Croatian composer Davorin Kempf. Also included on the program are Saint-Saëns’ Sonata for Clarinet with Piano Accompaniment, Paul Ladmirault’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano and Brahms’ Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1.
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Michael Edwards, clarinet
Michael Edwards, clarinet; Timothy Bach, piano
Michael Edwards, recognized as one of the world’s leading exponents of the clarinet, presents a program highlighted by the North American Premiere of Four Movements for Clarinet and Piano, written for him by Croatian composer Davorin Kempf. Also included on the program are Saint-Saëns’ Sonata for Clarinet with Piano Accompaniment, Paul Ladmirault’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano and Brahms’ Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2008 AT 4:00PM
The Laurel Ensemble
Alla Zingarese
Sarah Holzman, flute; Ann Lavin, clarinet; Christina Mok, violin; Jenny Douglass, viola; Krisanthy Desby, 'cello; Lori Lack, piano
Contrasts and Suite Paysanne Hongroise by Bartók; Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 by Brahms
Described as 'San Francisco's Crackerjack' (San Francisco Classical Voice), the Laurel Ensemble returns to Old First Concerts with music influenced by the Gypsy traditions by Bartók and Brahms.
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The Laurel Ensemble
Alla Zingarese
Sarah Holzman, flute; Ann Lavin, clarinet; Christina Mok, violin; Jenny Douglass, viola; Krisanthy Desby, 'cello; Lori Lack, piano
Contrasts and Suite Paysanne Hongroise by Bartók; Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 by Brahms
Described as 'San Francisco's Crackerjack' (San Francisco Classical Voice), the Laurel Ensemble returns to Old First Concerts with music influenced by the Gypsy traditions by Bartók and Brahms.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2008 AT 8:00PM
Lawrence Ferrara, Jon Mendle & Yuri Cho
Holiday Guitar Concert
Lawrence Ferrara, guitar; Jon Mendle, archguitar; Yuri Cho, violin
Come and hear guitarist Lawrence Ferrara along with 11-string Arch guitarist Jon Mendle and violinist Yuri Cho for the annual San Francisco holiday guitar solo and ensemble concert presenting works that bring cheer and delight in the holiday season and New Year. The program will feature solo guitar, guitar with violin, and guitar duet compositions. They will be performing solo and duet works by John Dowland, J. S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Michael Praetorius, Alberto Ginestera, and Sèrgio Assad.
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Lawrence Ferrara, Jon Mendle & Yuri Cho
Holiday Guitar Concert
Lawrence Ferrara, guitar; Jon Mendle, archguitar; Yuri Cho, violin
Come and hear guitarist Lawrence Ferrara along with 11-string Arch guitarist Jon Mendle and violinist Yuri Cho for the annual San Francisco holiday guitar solo and ensemble concert presenting works that bring cheer and delight in the holiday season and New Year. The program will feature solo guitar, guitar with violin, and guitar duet compositions. They will be performing solo and duet works by John Dowland, J. S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Michael Praetorius, Alberto Ginestera, and Sèrgio Assad.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2008 AT 8:00PM
Teresa McCollough
Teresa McCollough, piano
Pianist Teresa McCollough has developed an international reputation for her dynamic and expressive playing. As a leading interpreter and advocate for contemporary music, she has commissioned, premiered, and performed many new compositions by today's emerging and established composers including Alvin Singleton, Lou Harrison, Joan Tower, Alex Shapiro, Belinda Reynolds, Zhou Long, Charles Griffin, David Rakowski, Tomas Svoboda, Henry Martin, George Crumb, and others. She presents a varied program at Old First Concerts, including A Little Suite for Christmas by George Crumb, selections from Vingt Regards and Quatuor pour le fin du temps (with special guest 'cellist Gianna Abondolo) by Messiaen, Bay Area premieres of works by Belinda Reynolds and Mark Winges, and the American classics of Gershwin, Frederic Rzewski and others.
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Teresa McCollough
Teresa McCollough, piano
Pianist Teresa McCollough has developed an international reputation for her dynamic and expressive playing. As a leading interpreter and advocate for contemporary music, she has commissioned, premiered, and performed many new compositions by today's emerging and established composers including Alvin Singleton, Lou Harrison, Joan Tower, Alex Shapiro, Belinda Reynolds, Zhou Long, Charles Griffin, David Rakowski, Tomas Svoboda, Henry Martin, George Crumb, and others. She presents a varied program at Old First Concerts, including A Little Suite for Christmas by George Crumb, selections from Vingt Regards and Quatuor pour le fin du temps (with special guest 'cellist Gianna Abondolo) by Messiaen, Bay Area premieres of works by Belinda Reynolds and Mark Winges, and the American classics of Gershwin, Frederic Rzewski and others.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2008 AT 4:00PM
Ragazzi Boys Chorus
Splendors of the Italian Baroque
Ragazzi’s choir of men and boys will recreate the Splendors of the Italian Baroque featuring pieces by Monteverdi and Allegri this December. From the sounds of double choir music to the lively solos and dancing rhythms of music composed for the Sistine Chapel and for St. Mark’s in Venice, audiences will be transformed by the beauty of this ethereal sound. As a finale, all will be invited to join in familiar carols sung with the chorus and organ.
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Ragazzi Boys Chorus
Splendors of the Italian Baroque
Ragazzi’s choir of men and boys will recreate the Splendors of the Italian Baroque featuring pieces by Monteverdi and Allegri this December. From the sounds of double choir music to the lively solos and dancing rhythms of music composed for the Sistine Chapel and for St. Mark’s in Venice, audiences will be transformed by the beauty of this ethereal sound. As a finale, all will be invited to join in familiar carols sung with the chorus and organ.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2008 AT 8:00PM
Afiara String Quartet
Valerie Li, violin; Yuri Cho, violin; David Samuel, viola; Adrian Fung, 'cello
Quartettsatz by Schubert; String Quartet Op. 130 and Grosse Fuge by Beethoven; Visions by Jason Bush
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Afiara String Quartet
Valerie Li, violin; Yuri Cho, violin; David Samuel, viola; Adrian Fung, 'cello
Quartettsatz by Schubert; String Quartet Op. 130 and Grosse Fuge by Beethoven; Visions by Jason Bush
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2008 AT 4:00PM
Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble
Voices in Peace VIII: Fire in the Air
Jude Navari, conductor; Miriam Kapner, oboe
including Peace by Martha Alter; To the Angel with Fiery Hands by Karin Rehnqvist; Angels are Everywhere by Daniel Pinkham; Da pacem Domine by Håken Olssen; Peace upon you, Jerusalem by Arvo Pärt, and others.
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Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble
Voices in Peace VIII: Fire in the Air
Jude Navari, conductor; Miriam Kapner, oboe
including Peace by Martha Alter; To the Angel with Fiery Hands by Karin Rehnqvist; Angels are Everywhere by Daniel Pinkham; Da pacem Domine by Håken Olssen; Peace upon you, Jerusalem by Arvo Pärt, and others.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008 AT 4:00PM
Piedmont East Bay Children's Choirs
Light One Candle
Robert Geary, Artistic Director
The newly renamed Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir presents their annual candlelight concert. The most advanced groups perform holiday favorites with panache and finesse.
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Piedmont East Bay Children's Choirs
Light One Candle
Robert Geary, Artistic Director
The newly renamed Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir presents their annual candlelight concert. The most advanced groups perform holiday favorites with panache and finesse.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2008 AT 8:00PM
Golden Bough
Christmas in a Celtic Land
Margie Butler, vocals, Celtic harp, penny-whistle, bodhran; Paul Espinoza, vocals, guitar, octave-mandolin, accordion; Kathy Sierra, vocals, violin, viola
Featuring rare carols and other songs of celebration for the Winter Season and the New Year, Golden Bough presents a program of music from Ireland and Scotland. This trio of modern day minstrels captures the essence and joy of traditional music with pristine vocal harmonies, backing themselves on a wide variety acoustic instruments. The joyful Celtic Christmas Concert is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to gather together to celebrate and drive the cold winter away with Golden Bough's unique Yuletide presentation. You'll be hard put to sit still once the fire of Celtic music is flamed by these fine musicians. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
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Golden Bough
Christmas in a Celtic Land
Margie Butler, vocals, Celtic harp, penny-whistle, bodhran; Paul Espinoza, vocals, guitar, octave-mandolin, accordion; Kathy Sierra, vocals, violin, viola
Featuring rare carols and other songs of celebration for the Winter Season and the New Year, Golden Bough presents a program of music from Ireland and Scotland. This trio of modern day minstrels captures the essence and joy of traditional music with pristine vocal harmonies, backing themselves on a wide variety acoustic instruments. The joyful Celtic Christmas Concert is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to gather together to celebrate and drive the cold winter away with Golden Bough's unique Yuletide presentation. You'll be hard put to sit still once the fire of Celtic music is flamed by these fine musicians. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
TICKETS
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