Camerata Singers – To Pauline – With Love

by MaryClare Martin
May 14, 2018

Image result for Pauline Troia

The Camerata Singers, under the direction of John Koza, presented To Pauline,…with Love on May 12 at First Presbyterian Church, Monterey. This bittersweet occasion to bid farewell to Pauline Troia – exemplary pianist, accompanist for 30+ years – was a terrific program of choral jewels. With the likes of Aaron Copland, Daniel Brimsmead, Randall Thompson, John Rutter, Moses Hogan along with arrangements by Josephine Poelnitz and Craig Hella Johnson all represented, some of the finest and most enduring works of choral repertoire were presented. Troia chose many of these selections as some of her favorites through the years. However, this was definitely a “working” tribute to Troia as she was most expertly busy at the piano. She continues to make the keyboard music look and sound effortless. Read full story →

Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Choral, Classical Era, Piano, Vocal, Vocal ensemble

Time Stolen, Time Repaid: A Recital by pianist Yeol Eum Son

by Dr. Gary Lemco
May 7, 2018

It seems beyond appropriate that pianist Yeol Eum Son played but one encore after her dazzling recital at the Petit Trianon Theatre for the Steinway Society, Sunday, May 6: the Etincelles of Moritz Moszkowski, Op. 36, No. 6, his musical evocation of “Sparks” or “Sparklers.” The little gem in B-flat Major, 3/8, asked Son to exploit her facility in staccato scale passages, a requirement her deft fingers executed with that same aplomb and wicked confidence that had marked her performances in music by Mozart, Pärt, Ravel, Schubert, and Rachmaninoff.  The audience, ravenous for more of Son’s magic, had to accept to the one encore, so often the vehicle for Vladimir Horowitz to say farewell at his marathon concerts. Read full story →

Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Classical Era, Piano

Carmel Music Society Presents Pianist Jeremy Denk

by James Neiman
April 30, 2018

Our music community was treated to an evening of Mozart, Prokofiev, Beethoven and Schubert by internationally renowned pianist Jeremy Denk. Mr. Denk is an artist of rare depth and sensitivity, and his breathtaking performance closed off another great season for the Carmel Music Society. In his remarks during the performance, Mr. Denk suggested that time and its role in accentuating the compositional structure and interpretation is a theme of artistic interest, and drew, through his exquisite interpretation, lines through all the works leading to Schubert’s masterpiece, his Sonata in B-flat Major, D.960. Read full story →

Archived in these categories: 20th Century, Carmel Music Society, Classical Era, Piano, Romantic Era

Monterey Symphony Treats us to Mendelssohn & Brahms

by Lyn Bronson
April 22, 2018

To hear Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “The Italian” in a live performance is an opportunity not to be missed, and our expectations were amply rewarded last night at Sunset Center as Max Bragado-Darman conducted the Monterey Symphony in the fifth program of its 2017–2018 season. This sunny, vibrant symphony represents Mendelssohn at his best, and the Monterey Symphony was at the top of its form with lots of fine playing from every section of the orchestra.  Read full story →

Archived in these categories: Classical Era, Monterey Symphony, Orchestral, Romantic Era

Ensō Quartet performs for Chamber Music Monterey Bay

by Lyn Bronson
April 8, 2018


Photo by Erica Horn

Passionate enthusiasm and youthful vitality added a heightened dimension to Chamber Music Monterey Bay’s presentation of the Ensō String Quartet at Sunset Center last night. The four young players, violinists Susie Park & Ken Hamao, violist Melissa Reardon and cellist Richard Belcher, are seasoned masters of their craft and treated us last night to some of the finest quartet playing I have ever heard. It was a remarkable combination of style, refinement and artistry in equally generous amounts. Read full story →

Archived in these categories: 21st Century, Chamber music, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Classical Era, Romantic Era, String quartet