Classical Music Professor from Germany joins American Folk/Jazz Master for virtuoso genre-crossing performance that will change your idea of what you thought the mandolin is capable of.
Get ready for a night full of jaw-dropping chops, exquisite classical music interpretations and funky grooves in this benefit concertAugust 18th. Two of the world's greatest in different mandolin styles make a virtuoso duo that absolutely sizzles. Caterina Lichtenberg, the world's only classical mandolin professor, met recording artist and famed American jazz/folk mandolinist Mike Marshall and they became a couple soon after. These two international mandolin gurus have found a way to weave their very different musical backgrounds together that is musically inspiring, intensely intimate and just plain fun. Now they perform and record together as mutual crossover artists, making beautiful music together in many styles and challenging each other's skill and artistry in explorations of Bach, Bluegrass, and Brazil. They will charm you not only with virtuosic pyrotechnics, but also delight you with their infectious interactions.
Playing from their most recent recording "Third Journey", this concert will be a sweeping display of the long and varied history of the mandolin from its Italian roots in the Baroque era all the way to American Bluegrass and Brazilian Choro, including some tightly woven New Acoustic by composers like Marshall himself. Come join them for a night of mandolin virtuosity.
All this in the enchanting intimate setting of the candle-lit Swedenborgian Church, a National Historic Monument and a unique treasure of very early Arts & Crafts architecture in America that is a perfect chamber music venue.
Three time Grammy nominee Mike Marshall came to fame as part of the Dave Grisman Quintet, launching a career of innovation with many groups including the Montreux Band, Psychograss, Choro Famoso and The Anger Marshall Band. He has performed and recorded with Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile and David Grisman. He is indeed a living compendium of musical styles and has the ability to seamlessly blend his American roots background with a deep understanding of European classical music, Brazilian choro and other world music. Mike is a fluid Jazz improviser and a master on mandolin, guitar, mandocello and violin.
German mandolin virtuoso Caterina Lichtenberg, holds the position of mandolin professor at the Cologne Music Conservatory. Caterina is considered one of the greatest living classical mandolinists, and has been a soloist with New Century Orchestra under Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, the LA Guitar Quartet, the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester of Frankfurt under Diego Fasolis and the Aachen Chamber Orchestra. She and Mike have recorded a wonderfully eclectic collection that spans J.S. Bach, Leclair, Brazilian choro, Rafaelle Calace, Venezuelan dance forms and some of Mikes original compositions. The two have released three cds together and have performed at the Carmel Bach Festival, The Savannah Music Festival, the Bach Haus Liepzig, Germany and the Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival in Colorado and have been soloists with the New Century Orchestra under Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and Orchester l'arte del Mondo from Cologne, Germany.
Profits from the monthly concert series (though October) goes to three wonderful causes: Canine Companions for Independence, which empowers people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support; Nature in the City, which engages residents in butterfly, bee, and wildlife habitat restoration projects in their San Francisco neighborhoods; and the Young Womens Choral Projects of SF, which transforms girls lives through choral music education and performance.