-
Recent Reviews
- Monterey Symphony — Sound Waves, Third Concert
- Yoel Levi Conducts Israel Philharmonic in Miami
- Pianist Nikolai Lugansky
- Carmel Trio in Aptos
- Brentano Quartet & Pianist Yekwon Sunwoo at Sunset Center
- Ensemble Monterey at St. Philips Lutheran Church
- Santa Cruz Symphony: Enlightenment
- Chamber Music Monterey Bay — Borromeo String Quartet with Clarinetist Richard Stoltzman
- The Grand Line: Symphony Silicon Valley
- Pianist Kate Liu performs for Aptos Keyboard Series
- Kevin Lee Sun — Winner of the 2018 Carmel Music Society Piano Competition
- Steely Spectrum: A Recital by Pianist Kate Liu
-
-
Recent Previews
-
List by Category
-
-
Author Archives: MaryClare Martin
Chanticleer Christmas at the Mission
For 40 years the exquisite blend of the voices of Chanticleer have entertained, recorded and traveled the world. This eloquent and elegant group brought A Chanticleer Christmas to the Carmel Mission Basilica on Friday, December 21st. Founded in 1978 by Louis Botto and named for the “clear singing” rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, they were first known for interpretations of Renaissance music. However, this group is as likely to also include jazz, folk, and contemporary choral works.
Read full story
Archived in these categories: Choral, Vocal ensemble
Christmas with the Camerata Singers
Director John Koza
The annual Christmas With The Camerata Singers, on December 16, is a program not to be missed and this afternoon’s concert at First Presbyterian Monterey was no exception. Under artistic director and conductor John Koza, these singers continue to prove their choral chops. One of the two numbers that was not in English, Z. Randall Stroope’s Resonet in Laudibus, crisply started off the first half with terrific diction. Minimal instrument accompaniment was used to the greatest effect in support of a variety of the following pieces. The assured harp playing of Ruthanne Adams Martinez beautifully supported a number of pieces starting with Stephen Paulus’ Hallelu. Three more Paulus numbers throughout the afternoon also benefited from Martinez’ lovely accompaniment. Read full story
Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Choral
I Cantori di Carmel at the Mission
Music Director Cyril Deaconoff
As the second conductor to continue I Cantori di Carmel since Sal Farentelli’s retirement, Cyril Deaconoff provided choral delights of the season as well as a West Coast premiere of his own composition. Ringing through the Carmel Mission Basilica the forty plus singers of this long standing local chorus opened from the back of the Mission with “Serenisima une Noche” by 17thcentury composer Fray Geronimo Gonzalez. The gentleness of “a most serene night” carried beautifully, and then as the chorus processed to the risers, the style changed into a joyful dance section. Enduring favorites of the season followed starting with the highly rhythmic setting of “Here We Come A-caroling” as arranged by Josh Sparkman. A decidedly different arrangement by Dan Forrest of the 1868 carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Lewis Redner featured soprano sax, violin and piano. The plaintive and haunting saxophone melody deftly wove in and out of the choral strains evoking a scene of long ago. Another favorite of choral groups in this season is the lively “Riu, Riu, Chiu” given a leisurely pace to really appreciate the warning call of the kingfisher to help protect the Virgin and Child. Another season favorite, Thomas Morley’s “Lirum, Lirum” continued the idea of seeking the Christ Child. The title refers to the imitative sound of a lute. Read full story
Aria Women’s Chorus in Monterey — Stronger Together
Stronger Together was the theme of Aria Women’s Chorus presentation Sunday afternoon November 18 at First Presbyterian Church, Monterey. What could be a more apt theme to express how this group works together musically? As conductor Sean Boulware was absent, Michelle Boulware took over the conducting duties. A woman conducting women seemed especially appropriate for this afternoon’s repertoire including the closing piece “Stronger Together” by Sarah Jaysmith. This was a fitting end of an emotional and uplifting program. Read full story
Archived in these categories: Choral
INSPIRARE – Church In The Forest
A beautiful, lazy fall afternoon in the tree house setting of The Church In The Forest at Robert Louis Stevenson School was home to the newest vocal group on the peninsula, INSPIRARE. This program was the third presentation of the debut program under the direction of Dr. Sean Boulware. Inspirare – to breathe, to inspire – is composed of twenty-one singers from the greater Monterey Bay area. “Voices Rising” as a program title was most appropriate for this fledgling group of talented singers. Eclectic repertoire spanned the centuries from 16thcentury Palestrina and Tomas Victoria to contemporary Eric Whitacre and Shawn Kirchner. Interspersed within the centuries was a spirited variety of African songs. Read full story
Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Choral
