St. Matthew’s Music Guild kicks off its 2005/6 series at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 14, at St. Matthew’s Church in Pacific Palisades. The gala opening night concert features pianist Mark Robson performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, with the St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Thomas Neenan. The concert, which initiates the Music Guild’s 21st anniversary season, will also include Mendelssohn’s “Italian” symphony and two tone poem miniatures by Frederick Delius. The theme for the November 11 concert is “Much Ado about Something” and features Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s incidental music for the Shakespeare play “Much Ado about Nothing.” The concert includes Arvo P’rt’s haunting “Fratres” (Brothers) and music of Stravinsky and Respighi. On December 2, The Choir of St. Matthew’s Parish will join the orchestra in performing a Christmas classic, Bach’s majestic Magnificat in D. Vivaldi’s Mandolin Concerto in D and Corelli’s “Christmas” Concerto will round out the program. The Annual Palisades Family Christmas Concert will be performed on Sunday December 11 at 3 p.m. This holiday favorite features the combined choirs of St. Matthew’s Parish, brass ensemble and organist Roger Daggy. Seasonal classics and an audience sing-along will highlight the program. This concert is free and open to everyone. On January 20, pianist Andrew von Oeyen returns for a solo recital. One of the most highly sought after young pianists on the international stage, von Oeyen will perform Beethoven’s “Eroica” Variations, the Piano Sonata by Leos Janacek and music of Maurice Ravel. On Feburary 10, two of this country’s finest early music vocal ensembles, the Concord Ensemble and Voxfire, come together to perform two sumptuous oratorios by Giacomo Carissimi. These seldom-heard Baroque masterpieces will be complemented by Renaissance motets for multiple choirs, organ, harpsichord and continuo ensemble. On March 24, St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra presents a perennial favorite’Concerto Night. Orchestra members David Sarachene, Jim Lasota, David Mergen and Phil Feather will be the featured soloists. The program will include Haydn’s C major Cello Concerto, the Bassoon Concerto of Mozart, a new work for saxophone and orchestra by Ross Wright and Peter Davidson’s “From My Travels” for flute and orchestra. The concertmaster of St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, Yi-Huan Zhao will be the featured soloist at the April 28 concert. Zhao will perform two works by Camille Saint-Saens, the Introduction and Rondo, and “Havanaise.” The April concert will also include music for wind ensemble and harpsichord by Alec Wilder, selections from “Nuit d’Ete” (Summer Nights), by Berlioz and Three Songs for mezzo-soprano, violin and orchestra by Benedykt Brydern. On June 2 the season will close with a nod to the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart. Included will be the Solemn Vespers, sung by the St. Matthew’s Parish Choir, and the Concerto in A Major with soloist Patricia Massey. The concert will also include Copland’s “Quiet City,” featuring trumpeter David Searfoss and English horn soloist Phil Feather. All concerts take place at St. Matthew’s Parish, 1031 Bienveneda Avenue, Pacific Palisades. A subscription to all eight concerts is $165. Single tickets may be purchased at the door for $22. Complimentary intermission refreshments are offered at all concerts and convenient free parking is available in the church lot. For information contact 573-7787 (ext.2) or visit the Music Guild’s Web site: www.stmatthews.com/musicguild.
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