Garrick Ohlsson’s masterful performance of Enrique Granados’ Goyescas was the highlight of a wonderful evening as San Francisco Classical Voice hosted its 3rd Annual Donor Appreciation event at the Walt Disney Family Museum on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Composed in 1911, Goyescas is a delightful work that requires a pianist with lightning quick fingers, powerful rhythmic drive, and the ability to savor the many intoxicating melodies along the way. Garrick Ohlsson supplied these many talents and more as he mesmerized the audience throughout the 50-minute performance.
The event was sponsored generously by City National Bank, which was represented by Kent Grubaugh, Bill Podger, Corey Cronin, and Robert Ostrovsky. Other guests for the event were members of SFCV’s $1K Club.
When guests arrived at the Walt Disney Family Museum, they were greeted by SFCV board, staff, and volunteers. Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres were offered as well as wine that was donated to SFCV by Foggy Bridge Winery and John Kontrabecki, who was in attendance with his wife Nicole.
Following 45 minutes of mingling and socializing, guests were invited to take a seat for the performance. SFCV’s Board President Mary Falvey welcomed the donors and spoke briefly about exciting recent developments at SFCV, including the hiring of a new Executive Director, John Robinson (who worked previously as the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Symphony), and the move of the SFCV administrative offices into new downtown office space together with KDFC radio.
Donors also heard about SFCV’s new Kids & Families section of the website, which provides content for parents and kids who are looking for ways to connect with great music around the Bay Area. SFCV now has a weekly Kids & Families audio podcast, a dedicated Kids & Families editor and content developer, and a rich database of music teachers in the area. SFCV is fast becoming the trusted filter for information and advice about how a motivated parent can get their children to the best camps, after school programs, free concerts, and music teachers to kindle their musical curiosity. Ms. Falvey also introduced her event co-chair, Suzie Woodward Morris.
Following the spectacular performance, guests were encouraged to enjoy the entertaining galleries of the Disney museum. Because it was an after-hours event, the galleries were crowd-free and inviting for leisurely, in-depth exploration. Food stations and wine servers were also active in the museum lobby right up until the guests began to head home, the sounds of Spain still echoing in their heads.
San Francisco Classical Voice is a nonprofit organization that has become the go-to place for Classical music in the Bay Area. We rely on donor support to continue to provide high quality writing, engaging multimedia content and a strong, independent voice to build community around and support for great music.
“San Francisco Classical Voice just gets better and better. It’s a vital part of the community in the Bay Area. Thank you for everything you do to inform, educate, inspire and surprise.”
– Parker Monroe, SFCV Donor and Executive Director, New Century Chamber Orchestra
