2014-2015 Concert Season:
Our 41st Year!
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All concerts are on Sunday evenings, starting at 5pm, and are located in the beautiful Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church.
We hope to see you there!
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October 12, 2014
ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET
“Vibrant, probing, assured.” --- the New York Times
“Utterly compelling!” --- the STRAD
“Utterly compelling!” --- the STRAD
Zakarias Grafilo, violin
Frederick Lifsitz, violin
Paul Yarbrough, viola
Sandy Wilson, cello
Having celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2011, San Francisco’s own Alexander String Quartet has performed in the major music capitals of five continents, securing its standing among the world’s premiere ensembles. Widely admired for its interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich, the quartet’s recordings of the Beethoven cycle (twice), and the Bartok and Shostakovich cycles have all won international critical acclaim. The quartet has also established itself as an important advocate of new music through more than twenty-five commissions.
The Alexander String Quartet was formed in New York City in 1981 and captured international attention as the first American quartet to win the London International String Quartet Competition in 1985. They have been quartet-in-residence at San Francisco State University many years and have mentored other prize-winning younger quartets.
Program: Mozart Quartet in D Major, KV 499 "Hoffmeister"; Kodaly Quartet No. 2, Op. 10 ; Beethoven, op. 59 #1 "Razumovsky"
Frederick Lifsitz, violin
Paul Yarbrough, viola
Sandy Wilson, cello
Having celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2011, San Francisco’s own Alexander String Quartet has performed in the major music capitals of five continents, securing its standing among the world’s premiere ensembles. Widely admired for its interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich, the quartet’s recordings of the Beethoven cycle (twice), and the Bartok and Shostakovich cycles have all won international critical acclaim. The quartet has also established itself as an important advocate of new music through more than twenty-five commissions.
The Alexander String Quartet was formed in New York City in 1981 and captured international attention as the first American quartet to win the London International String Quartet Competition in 1985. They have been quartet-in-residence at San Francisco State University many years and have mentored other prize-winning younger quartets.
Program: Mozart Quartet in D Major, KV 499 "Hoffmeister"; Kodaly Quartet No. 2, Op. 10 ; Beethoven, op. 59 #1 "Razumovsky"
Sample Audio:
November 16, 2014
PRAZAK QUARTET
“Thoroughly engaging...a warm, mellow, burnished sound that never hinted at stridency even during the most intense passages. Riveting... a thrilling, knife-edge exactitude." --- Chicago Tribune
Pavel Hůla, violin
Vlastimil Holek, violin
Josef Klusoň, viola
Michal Kaňka, cello
One of today’s leading international chamber music ensembles, the Prazak Quartet was established in 1972 while its members were students at the Prague Conservatory. Since then, the quartet has gained attention for its place in the unique Czech quartet tradition, and for its musical virtuosity.
The 1974 Czech Music Year saw the Prazak Quartet receive the first prize at the Prague Conservatory Chamber Music Competetion. Within twelve months, their international career had been launched. In 1978 the quartet took first prize at the Evian String Quartet Competition as well as a special prize awared by Radio France for the best recording during the competition.
For more than thirty years, the Prazac has been at home on music stages worldwide. The are regular guests in the major European capitals – Prague, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Madrid, London, Berlin, Munich and have been invited to participate at numerous international festivals, where they have collaborated with such artists as Menahem Pressler, Jon Nakamatsu, and Josef Suk.
Program: Ryba: Quartet #2; Janacek: Quaret #2, “Intimate Letters”; Brahms: Quartet #3, op. 67 in B
Vlastimil Holek, violin
Josef Klusoň, viola
Michal Kaňka, cello
One of today’s leading international chamber music ensembles, the Prazak Quartet was established in 1972 while its members were students at the Prague Conservatory. Since then, the quartet has gained attention for its place in the unique Czech quartet tradition, and for its musical virtuosity.
The 1974 Czech Music Year saw the Prazak Quartet receive the first prize at the Prague Conservatory Chamber Music Competetion. Within twelve months, their international career had been launched. In 1978 the quartet took first prize at the Evian String Quartet Competition as well as a special prize awared by Radio France for the best recording during the competition.
For more than thirty years, the Prazac has been at home on music stages worldwide. The are regular guests in the major European capitals – Prague, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Madrid, London, Berlin, Munich and have been invited to participate at numerous international festivals, where they have collaborated with such artists as Menahem Pressler, Jon Nakamatsu, and Josef Suk.
Program: Ryba: Quartet #2; Janacek: Quaret #2, “Intimate Letters”; Brahms: Quartet #3, op. 67 in B
This concert is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Larry and Zilpha Snyder.
Sample Audio:
“They touched the heart constantly” ---- De Telegraaf , Amsterdam
“The performance was electrifying... The playing was brilliant and impassioned, giving us chamber music at its best.” --- Evening Post, Wellington, NZ
“The performance was electrifying... The playing was brilliant and impassioned, giving us chamber music at its best.” --- Evening Post, Wellington, NZ
January 25, 2015
MANASSE-NAKAMATSU DUO
"Jon Nakamatsu's contribution is just as important as Mr. Manasse's, and their partnership is complete. Mr. Nakamatsu's playing is as meltingly beautiful as Mr. Manasse's." --- The New York Times
Jon Manasse, clarinet
Jon Nakamatsu, piano
Comprised of clarinetist Jon Manasse and pianist Jon Nakamatsu, two of America's most distinguished artists, the MANASSE/NAKAMATSU DUO immediately established itself with a highly acclaimed 2004 performance in Boston. Subsequent coast-to-coast touring has included appearances on some of the country's most prestigious series: New York City's Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Washington's Dumbarton Oaks and National Gallery of Art, Brookings Chamber Music Society, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Eastman School of Music, Des Moines Art Center, Duke University, Kansas State University, Montalvo Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts, San Jose Chamber Music Society, Fort Worth's Van Cliburn Foundation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The artists are also heard at the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, which they serve as co-directors.
The Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo is also dedicated to expanding the concert repertoire for their instruments' beautifully combinative sounds. To date, the artists have commissioned John Novacek's Four Rags for Two Jons and Paquito D'Rivera's The Cape Cod Files. Subsequently expanded and orchestrated by the composer, The Cape Cod Concerto received its world premiere in May 2011 by Symphony Silicon Valley.
Individually, Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu have developed extensive repertoires and lengthy discographies. Their hundreds of performances include concerto engagements, solo recitals and chamber music collaborations with orchestras, universities and music festivals, here at home and throughout the world. Additionally, Jon Manasse served as the principal clarinetist of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, performing under the batons of James Levine, Andrew Davis, and Valery Gergiev. Jon Nakamatsu is the Gold Medalist of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997.
Program: Brahms Sonata #2; Chopin; Goodwin; Messager; Novacek; Poulenc; Stravinsky
Jon Nakamatsu, piano
Comprised of clarinetist Jon Manasse and pianist Jon Nakamatsu, two of America's most distinguished artists, the MANASSE/NAKAMATSU DUO immediately established itself with a highly acclaimed 2004 performance in Boston. Subsequent coast-to-coast touring has included appearances on some of the country's most prestigious series: New York City's Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Washington's Dumbarton Oaks and National Gallery of Art, Brookings Chamber Music Society, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Eastman School of Music, Des Moines Art Center, Duke University, Kansas State University, Montalvo Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts, San Jose Chamber Music Society, Fort Worth's Van Cliburn Foundation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The artists are also heard at the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, which they serve as co-directors.
The Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo is also dedicated to expanding the concert repertoire for their instruments' beautifully combinative sounds. To date, the artists have commissioned John Novacek's Four Rags for Two Jons and Paquito D'Rivera's The Cape Cod Files. Subsequently expanded and orchestrated by the composer, The Cape Cod Concerto received its world premiere in May 2011 by Symphony Silicon Valley.
Individually, Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu have developed extensive repertoires and lengthy discographies. Their hundreds of performances include concerto engagements, solo recitals and chamber music collaborations with orchestras, universities and music festivals, here at home and throughout the world. Additionally, Jon Manasse served as the principal clarinetist of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, performing under the batons of James Levine, Andrew Davis, and Valery Gergiev. Jon Nakamatsu is the Gold Medalist of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997.
Program: Brahms Sonata #2; Chopin; Goodwin; Messager; Novacek; Poulenc; Stravinsky
Learn More:
March 1, 2015
CUARTETO CASALS
“A quartet for the new millennium if I ever heard one.” --- the STRAD
“A sonic signature entirely its own.” --- the New York Times
“A sonic signature entirely its own.” --- the New York Times
Vera Martínez Mehner, violin
Abel Tomàs, violin
Jonathan Brown, viola
Arnau Tomàs, cello
Since winning 1st Prizes at the London and Brahms-Hamburg competitions, Cuarteto Casals has been a repeated guest at the world’s most prestigious concert halls including Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Vienna, Philharmonie Cologne, Cité de la Musique Paris, Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Philharmonie in Berlin, among many others.
The quartet has compiled a substantial discography with the Harmonia Mundi label, including to date 9 CD’s, with repertoire ranging from lesser known Spanish composers Arriaga and Toldrá to Viennese classical masters Mozart, Haydn and Brahms, through 20th Century greats Bartok, Kurtag and Ligeti.
A prize from in London enabled the quartet to purchase a matching set of Classical period bows which it uses for works from Purcell through Schubert, deepening its ability to distinguish between diverse musical styles. The quartet has been profoundly influenced by its work with living composers, especially György Kurtag, and has given the world premiere of quartets written by leading Spanish composers.
Cuarteto Casals’ has been recognzed as the first Spanish string quartet with a truly international profile honored with the Premio Nacional de Música and the Premi Ciutat Barcelona. The quartet has accompanied the King of Spain on diplomatic visits and performed on the peerless collection of decorated Stradivarius instruments in the Royal Palace in Madrid.
Program: Haydn: Quartet op. 20,#5; Arriaga, Quartet. #3; Brahms Quartet op. 51, #1
Abel Tomàs, violin
Jonathan Brown, viola
Arnau Tomàs, cello
Since winning 1st Prizes at the London and Brahms-Hamburg competitions, Cuarteto Casals has been a repeated guest at the world’s most prestigious concert halls including Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Vienna, Philharmonie Cologne, Cité de la Musique Paris, Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Philharmonie in Berlin, among many others.
The quartet has compiled a substantial discography with the Harmonia Mundi label, including to date 9 CD’s, with repertoire ranging from lesser known Spanish composers Arriaga and Toldrá to Viennese classical masters Mozart, Haydn and Brahms, through 20th Century greats Bartok, Kurtag and Ligeti.
A prize from in London enabled the quartet to purchase a matching set of Classical period bows which it uses for works from Purcell through Schubert, deepening its ability to distinguish between diverse musical styles. The quartet has been profoundly influenced by its work with living composers, especially György Kurtag, and has given the world premiere of quartets written by leading Spanish composers.
Cuarteto Casals’ has been recognzed as the first Spanish string quartet with a truly international profile honored with the Premio Nacional de Música and the Premi Ciutat Barcelona. The quartet has accompanied the King of Spain on diplomatic visits and performed on the peerless collection of decorated Stradivarius instruments in the Royal Palace in Madrid.
Program: Haydn: Quartet op. 20,#5; Arriaga, Quartet. #3; Brahms Quartet op. 51, #1
Learn More:
March 29, 2015
PACIFIC GUITAR ENSEMBLE
“David Tanenbaum and Peppino D’Agostino have put together the most innovative guitar ensemble ever, with eight outstanding performers on classical and steel-string guitars, electric basses, and 17th-century theorbos. They play music written by composers like Brazilian guitar legend Sergio Assad, noted minimalist Belinda Reynolds, and D’Agostino, the group’s own brilliant steel-string stylist, as well as fresh arrangements of great composers from Bach to Brahms, Dowland to Rossini.”
--- SF Classical Voice
--- SF Classical Voice
Ensemble Members: David Tanenbaum, Peppino D’Agostino, Marc Teicholz, Lawrence Ferrara, Michael Bautista, Jon Mendle, Paul Psarras, Antoniy Kakamakov
An immediate hit with its audiences, the Pacific Guitar Ensemble was founded in 2010 by classical guitarist David Tanenbaum and steel string guitarist Peppino D’Agostino: a mixed guitar ensemble able to perform a wide variety of repertoire.
Made up of faculty members of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and its most exceptional alumni the Pacific Guitar Ensemble brings together a wide array of guitars and plucked instruments: nylon strings, steel, electric basses, oud and 17th century theorbos. These guitarists meet to play for and with each other, learning, copying, sharing and competing. A mixed guitar ensemble has more variability of sound and is able to perform a wide variety of repertoire, ranging from arrangements of Bach, Brahms, Dowland and Rossini to original music by Sergio Assad, minimalist Belinda Reynolds, Terry Riley, and D’Agostino. These guitarists meet to play for and with each other, learning, copying, sharing and competing. The Pacific Guitar Ensemble released its first CD in 2012.
Program: Selections by Bach, Brahms, D’Agostino, Laurent, Piazzola, Rossini, and Sor
An immediate hit with its audiences, the Pacific Guitar Ensemble was founded in 2010 by classical guitarist David Tanenbaum and steel string guitarist Peppino D’Agostino: a mixed guitar ensemble able to perform a wide variety of repertoire.
Made up of faculty members of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and its most exceptional alumni the Pacific Guitar Ensemble brings together a wide array of guitars and plucked instruments: nylon strings, steel, electric basses, oud and 17th century theorbos. These guitarists meet to play for and with each other, learning, copying, sharing and competing. A mixed guitar ensemble has more variability of sound and is able to perform a wide variety of repertoire, ranging from arrangements of Bach, Brahms, Dowland and Rossini to original music by Sergio Assad, minimalist Belinda Reynolds, Terry Riley, and D’Agostino. These guitarists meet to play for and with each other, learning, copying, sharing and competing. The Pacific Guitar Ensemble released its first CD in 2012.
Program: Selections by Bach, Brahms, D’Agostino, Laurent, Piazzola, Rossini, and Sor
Learn More:
May 17, 2015
YOUNG ARTISTS CONCERT
MARIN MUSIC CHEST
Subscribers receive a free ticket to the Young Performers Concert of the Marin Music Chest with their subscription. The Mill Valley Chamber Music Society supports the goals of the Marin Music Chest and hopes that subscribers will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to hear talented young musicians. Each year the quality of the winners grows ever increasingly impressive. This concert is an inspiring event for all who attend.
Learn More:
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