It's summertime and the living is easy when you have help figuring out what the season's musical and dance highlights are. Sure, I have a pretty good idea of what not to miss, after decades of this, but obviously the more the merrier, so I asked around in order to represent a broader view, more ideas.
Nothing complete is contemplated here, these are just random picks from the wealth of summer concerts and festivals. If you peruse SFCV regularly — paying special attention to the Events Calendar and Music News — you will find whatever may be missing from here.
Thanks to those participating. Anonymous items are either from me or from (other) shy people. If you feel the event of summer is missing here, please use comments at the end of the article to make your case for it. Enjoy!
The Art of Chinese and Japanese Migration
Photo by John O'Donnell
The dancer Leonora Lee, currently a de Young Artist Fellow (see more about her in today's Music News), is sharing her appearance in the museum with composer/musician Francis Wong at a special event focusing on the lives and art of both Chinese and Japanese immigrants.
On the program: excerpts from Lee's projects, inspired by stories of Chinese women who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th-century; and a new work by Wong, Miyoshi Sketches, created with the support of Individual Artist Commissions of Cultural Equity Grants.
The work memorializes the friendship that developed between Wong’s parents, immigrants from China, and John Miyoshi, a Japanese American World War II veteran in the post-World War II era in San Francisco. Wong's ensemble will also perform his La Chine Africaine (for my mother), and Dream. At 1 p.m., Lee appears in a continuing "open process" program in the museum's Kimball Education Gallery; admission is free.
May 17, 7 p.m., free. Koret Auditorium, de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, S.F. (415) 750-3600, Lenora Lee at the de Young.
'Older Boys' Just Wanna Sing
Ragazzi Continuo, a men’s vocal ensemble formed from adult graduates of Ragazzi Boys Chorus, presents "An English Renaissance," from the era of Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare.
The concert features music by some of the great English composers of the 16th and 17th centuries, including Byrd, Dowland, Morley, Tallis, and many others.
Of special interest: King Henry VIII’s most famous composition, "Pastime with Good Company," Thomas Morley’s "April is in My Mistress’ Face," and spirited rondelets such as "Be Peace! Ye Make Me Spill My Ale!"
May 18, 7 p.m., $15-$20, Bethany United Methodist Church, S.F.; May 19, 4 p.m., $15-$20, All Saints Episcopal Church, Palo Alto, (650) 342-8785, Ragazzi Continuo.
Celebrating Brubeck
Oakland East Bay Symphony celebrates the music of Dave Brubeck, who died last December.
Michael Morgan conducts the orchestra, soloists include mezzo Frederica von Stade, trombonist Chris Brubeck (the composer's son), pianist Taylor Eigsti, saxophonist Dayna Stephens.
On the program: Ansel Adams: America, by Chris and Dave Brubeck, featuring 102 iconic images by the photographer; "Blue Rondo a La Turk," "Take Five," and other famous Brubeck standards.
Chris Brubeck presents a preconcert talk, beginning at 7 p.m.
June 1, 8 p.m., $33-$78. Paramount Theatre, Oakland, (800) 745-3000, Oakland East Bay Symphony.
Bands Banding Together in the Park
From Ed Silverberg, San Francisco
In its 131st year, with more than 5,000 free concerts under its belt, the Golden Gate Park Band is playing in the park in the bandshell now called Spreckels Temple of Music, every Sunday at 1 p.m. through Oct. 6.
Photo by V.E.Vail
Conducted by Michael L. Wirgler (a former band member himself), programs include classical selections, ethnic programs, marches (of course), swing and dance music.
In addition to all that activity, on June 8 and 9, GGPB will host and lead a band festival, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Besides the host, performers include bands from Woodside, Modesto, Sutter Creek, El Cerrito, Brentwood, Hayward, and elsewhere.
Sundays through Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, Golden Gate Park, S.F. Golden Gate Park Band
Cosi fan tutte, Wooden Prince
From Laszlo Somogyi, Kensington
In the usually slow period between the end of the regular season and prior to summer festivals, we are fortunate to have a choice of several promising musical events, and as usual my interest is split between opera and symphonic programs.
First of all, Così fan tutte at San Francisco Opera, with the trio "Soave il vento," one of Mozart's most touching masterpieces that I would never miss. Last time when it was performed here I saw it three times, I liked even the production that set it in early 20th-century Monte Carlo. Nicola Luisotti conducts, the cast includes Ellie Dehn, Heidi Stober, and a young German soprano, Christel Lötzsch, making her San Francisco debut.
I look forward to the Eastern European program of San Francisco Symphony. Béla Bartók's Wooden Prince suite is a masterpiece, unfortunately seldom played in concerts, and hearing it along with Zoltán Kodály's Dances of Galanta will play on my fast-disappearing nostalgia for Hungary, given recent politics. Juraj Valcuha conducts, Gautier Capuçon is soloist in the Dvořák Cello Concerto.
Così fan tutte: June 9-July 1, $25-$297, War Memorial Opera House, S.F., (415) 864-3330, San Francisco Opera.
Bartók-Kodály: May 29-June 2, $34-$143, Davies Symphony Hall, (415) 864-6000, San Francisco Symphony.
Ojai North Festival at Berkeley
From David Littlejohn, Berkeley
Look to the now-annual pilgrimage of the Ojai Festival to the Berkeley campus. This year the director is Mark Morris, who will be bringing the world premiere of the Mark Morris Dance Group's Rite of Spring to Hertz Hall, along with seven concerts featuring new American music, from Charles Ives to John Luther Adams, with performers like red fish blue fish (a local percussion ensemble) and the American String Quartet.
A gamelan nut, I'm curious to see what Cal's own Gamelan Sari Ras makes of two Lou Harrison pieces.
June 12-15, $20-$38, ($110 for premiere on June 12 and 13), Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley, (510) 642-9988, Ojai North.
Ethnic Dance Festival
The third program of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival features a court dance from Tang Dynasty China, a belly dancer who learned from her Yemeni and Israeli families, the La Tania Baile Flamenco Company, Shreelata Suresh's world premiere of a bharatanatyam (sacred Indian dance), Ballet Folklórico Mexico Danza, the Hawaiian troupe Halau o Keikiali`i, Japan's Ensohza Minyoshu with an Obon Festival dance, Diamano Coura West African Dance Company, and more. And that's one program!
June 22 and 23, 2p.m.; June 22, 8 p.m., $18-$58, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, S.F., (415) 978-2787, Ethnic Dance Festival.
Garden of Memory
From Michael Zwiebach
When you’re thinking about what to do with the family over the summer, don’t forget the Garden of Memory Concert celebrating the summer solstice at Oakland’s Chapel of the Chimes columbarium. As always, there will be lots of interesting and unusual acts, including interactive exhibitions and child-friendly performances. First-time participants include Lucky Dragons, a duo which advertises their “participatory approach to making music, radically inclusive live shows, and playful, humanistic use of digital tools.”
Returning musician Katrina Wreede will be bringing chimes that anybody can play, along with her viola. Maggie Payne will be using theremins in her show, according to festival organizer Sarah Cahill. Every year, this is one of the best live music experiences you can have in the Bay Area.
June 21, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., $5-$15, Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland, Garden of Memory.
BBC Proms Modern
From Jeff Dunn, Alameda
I found at least 12 must-listen concerts on the 2013 BBC Proms programs, not counting the many great programs of more standard fare — like all those Wagner operas, and the Britten. The late-night contemporary concerts are especially appealing to me, like Stockhausen (Prom 11, 7/19), Rzewski, Feldman (Prom 50, 8/20), Zappa & Nancarrow (Prom 25, 7/31).
Three Bantock works (!) and he's not even having an anniversary (Prom, 16, 7/24 Sapphic Poem, a masterpiece; Prom 52, 8/21 Celtic Sym; Prom 64, 8/30 Witch of Atlas). Good Tippett: Midsummer Marriage, conducted by Andrew Davis (Prom 45, 8/16), Symphony 2 with Henze's Barcarola (Prom 26, 8/1).
Also of interest are David Matthews' A Vision of the Sea (Prom 6, 7/16, and Prom 9, 7/18) with Stenhammar, Syzmanowski and Strauss' Alpine Symphony.
July 12-Sept. 7, most concerts start at 10 a.m. PDT, free, BBC Proms.
American Bach Soloists
From Michael Zwiebach
The three-year old American Bach Soloists Festival & Academy keeps getting more ambitious. But perhaps that’s the nature of the beast, considering that the incredibly challenging Bach B-Minor Mass is on the docket every year. This year, however, you’ll be able to hear something even huger: Heinrich Ignaz von Biber’s Missa Salisburgensis, in 53 parts, for nine ensembles including two eight-part choruses, choirs of trumpets, trombones, recorders, viols — beat that, Johann.
The festival has lots more action, including a full performance of Handel’s oratorio Esther, so rest up now: in July the San Francisco Conservatory will be filled to bursting with Baroque. July 13, 8 p.m., $20-$50, San Francisco Conservatory Concert Hall, San Francisco Bach Festival.
Mendocino Music Festival
From Michael Zwiebach
The coast up by Mendocino is a wonderful place to spend a summer weekend, if you’re not afraid of a little Pacific chill. (Bring coats.) With its big-top feel, the Mendocino Music Festival is perfectly in tune with its surroundings and brings an innovative mix of acts together. This year, they include the Calder Quartet, The House Jacks (“the original a capella rock group”), Alison Brown Quartet (bluegrass) and the Dror Sinai Trio (Middle Eastern).
But the festival has a distinctly Japanese tinge this year as it pays tribute to the great composer Toru Takemitsu, both in a Susan Waterfall special multimedia presentation, and in several concerts. Star guitarist Shin-Ichi Fukuda plays the composer’s guitar concerto in a concert with the Festival Orchestra. But my pick of the Takemitsu works might be And Then I Knew ‘Twas Wind for flute, viola, and harp, on a chamber concert with Samuel Barber’s Summer Music and Schubert’s C-Major Quintet.
July 15, 8 p.m., $25, Preston Hall, Mendocino Presbyterian Church, Mendocino Music Festival.
Merola Program in New Venue
With the closure of Herbst Theatre this summer for two years of seismic retrofit, new venues are being sought by performing organizations. Some of San Francisco Opera's Merola Program events will be held in Everett Middle School Auditorium in the Mission District.
Merola, an 11-week program for young artists, is now in its 56th year, and the annual Schwabacher Summer Concert in Everett will feature many of the 29 artists selected from among more than a thousand applicants for the program.
The event is repeated at 2 p.m. July 20, in a free outdoor presentation in Yerba Buena Gardens.
July 18, 7:30 p.m., $25-$40. Everett Auditorium, S.F., (415) 864-3330, Merola Program.
Festival del Sole's Dance Gala
Teri McCollum, odettesordeal.com
The annual dance gala in the Dede Wilsey Dance Series, a highlight of the Festival del Sole is to be the summer event for balletomanes. This year, I'm eagerly anticipating live music played by the Russian National Orchestra, conducted by the Bay Area's own George Daugherty, as well as the exciting recreation of a long-lost Fokine/Rachmaninov ballet, Paganini.
Casting is yet to be announced, but Odette's guess is that there is strong possibility of such attractions as Sascha Radetsky and Stella Abrera in the Tudor/Dvořák Leaves are Fading, Xiomara Reyes and Cory Stearns in the Ashton/Mendelssohn The Dream and Petipa/Adam-Drigo Corsaire), also San Francisco Ballet's Tiit Helimets and Ballet San Jose dancers Ali Meijer and Karen Gabay.
The program will also include the Ashton/Massenet Meditation from Thaïs, the Bournonville Pas de Deux from The Toreador, Scène and Pas de Deux from the third act of the Petipa/Tchaikovsky Swan Lake, and more. As in previous years, dancers are expected are from San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and the Bolshoi. There will be no shortage of surprise guest artists this year either.
July 19, 6 p.m., $45-$75, Lincoln Theater, Yountville, Festival del Sole Dance Gala.
The Matrix, Symphonically
The San Francisco Symphony will perform live the orchestral soundtrack to the sci-fi classic The Matrix, while the full-length film is projected on a giant screen above the orchestra in Davies Symphony Hall.
The composer, Don Davis, will conduct the performance, part of a world tour for the 1999 Oscar-winning sci-fi hit in concert halls.
The avant garde score is unusual in its use of atonality, seldom heard in movie theaters.
July 27, 7:30 p.m., $25-$80, Davies Symphony Hall, S.F. (415) 864-6000, San Francisco Symphony.
Back to Bach at Music@Menlo
Michael Zwiebach
Music@Menlo goes heavily into Bach this summer, which is great for fans who believe that there’s no such thing as “too much Bach.” One of the most fascinating programming efforts, in a festival that is known for brilliant programming, is Soovin Kim’s solo violin Carte Blanche concert, which puts Bach’s Violin Sonata No.3 in context and then draws the connections forward into the 20th century. It’s a tour de force, encompassing everything from Heinrich von Biber’s Mystery Sonatas, to Jörg Widmann’s 2002 Étude. If Kim pulls it off convincingly, it will be amazing.
July 21, 10:30 a.m., $35-$75, Stent Family Hall, Menlo School, Music@Menlo.
On Fire at the Cabrillo Festival
From Michael Zwiebach
No classical music lover can wind up a Bay Area summer without a visit to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and the almost-venerable Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, now in its 50th year. The first concert this year is a doozy: The orchestra plays a commissioned work from 28-year-old Rome Prize-winner Sean Friar, and then welcomes the Kronos Quartet for the concerto It Got Dark by Thomas Newman, who recently scored an Oscar nomination for the Bond film Skyfall. The evening’s anchor work is Fire Music by the fantastic, Grawemeyer Prize-winner Brett Dean.
August 8, 8 p.m., $32-$52, Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, Cabrillo Music Festival.