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Recent Reviews
- Camerata Singers – Considering Matthew Shepard
- Chamber Music Monterey Bay — Escher String Quartet
- Aizuri String Quartet — Fabulous Artistry
- YMMC March Concert – Migration
- Ensemble Monterey’s Tribute to an Early Spring
- Pianist Kevin Lee Sun in Aptos Keyboard Series
- Monterey Symphony presents: Ovation
- The Thoughtful Muse: A Recital by Pianist Daria Rabotkina
- Stravinsky – Music & Dance in Miami
- Ehnes Quartet in Beethoven Quartet Cycle
- Heavy Stuff – A Recital by Vladimir Feltsman
- Santa Cruz Symphony: Catharsis
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Recent Previews
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List by Category
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Author Archives: James Neiman
Ensemble Monterey Presents: Schubert
On Saturday, March 9th, at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Carmel, we were privileged to hear a unique program offered by Ensemble Monterey under the direction of Dr. John Anderson. The program, titled Schubert, was comprised of works by Carl Nielsen, Richard Strauss, and Franz Schubert. Dr. Anderson led the group of highly talented and dedicated musicians through a progression of works culminating in one of Schubert’s masterpieces, the Octet in F Major. The musicians who made this successful evening possible were Erica Horn (clarinet), Gail Selburn (bassoon), Scott Hartman and Jeff Fowler (horn), David Dally (violin and concertmaster), Shannon D’Antonio (violin), Susan Brown (viola), Margie Dally (cello), and Kelly Beecher (bass).
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Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Classical Era, Orchestral, Youth
Youth Music Monterey County (YMMC) Presents Eclectic Delight
Cello Soloist Katrina Yang Bauer & Conductor Farkhad Khudyev
On a beautiful and warm Sunday afternoon, November 4, Sunset Center was filled to capacity with enthusiastic friends and supporters of YMMC, which is a 501c3 organization that has provided high-caliber music education and ensemble-playing opportunities for young people throughout Monterey County for many years. Music Director and Conductor Farkhad Khudyev led YMMC’s Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras in this special 30th anniversary event, which lived up to the organization’s goal of enriching the lives of students and their communities and facilitating greater appreciation of music through preparing and sharing superior music performances. Read full story
Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Orchestral
Carmel Bach Festival 2018 — Eight Seasons
On Monday, July 16, the Carmel music community enjoyed two beautiful and contrasting performances of the Four Seasons at Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The first half of the program was Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and the second half was Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Under the leadership of concertmaster and director Peter Hanson, members of the Festival Orchestra presented a fascinating and ultra-clear characterization of nature, elements and people. Read full story
Archived in these categories: Carmel Bach Festival, Orchestral, Strings
Carmel Bach Festival 2018 — St. Matthew Passion
On Sunday, July 15, the Carmel music community was treated to a stunning performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in Carmel’s Sunset Center. Under the direction of conductor Paul Goodwin, the performance on period instruments drew the listener into an authentic celebration of the Passion of Jesus Christ, according to Matthew 26 and 27. Bach worked closely with Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) in framing the biblical text with commentary and contemplative prayer. They also collaborated in an effort to restructure the biblical account. The first part of the performance ended at Christ’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the second part continued through the traditional remainder of the Passion, ending with the burial of Jesus. Since aim of the composer was to “incite the listeners to devotion” according to his contract with the Leipzig Town Council, the composition was written so as to be appropriate for a Good Friday mass, during which it was premiered in 1727. Last evening’s performance certainly proved that Bach achieved his goals with this work. Read full story
Archived in these categories: Baroque, Carmel Bach Festival
Emil & Nozomi Khudyev in Recital
On Monday, July 2, 2018 Hidden Valley Music Seminars presented an extraordinary family of artists. The Khudyev family, who emigrated to the US from Turkmenistan, has produced a generation of Soviet trained and USA educated master musicians, several of whom gathered Monday night to perform works for clarinet, violin and piano. Emil Khudyev is Associate Principal Clarinetist for the Seattle Symphony, and he was joined on stage by his wife, Nozomi Khudyev, an extraordinary pianist from Japan and a graduate of the Juilliard School, as well as his brother and violinist Farkhad Khudyev, who currently serves as Music Director of the Hidden Valley Orchestra Institute and Youth Music Monterey County. Read full story
Archived in these categories: Chamber music
