San Francisco Conservatory of Music 2019-20 Season
San Francisco Conservatory of Music 2019-20 Season
“Music and Nature”
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
SFCM Ensembles Led by Eminent Conductors Including Nicole Paiement, Edwin Outwater, Joseph Young, Steven Schick, Christopher Rountree, and others
Opera Productions Include Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, David Conte’s Firebird Motel, and a Double Bill of Mozart’s The Impresario and Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos
Musical Theatre Selections Include Sondheim’s Into the Woods and a Revue Featuring Works About Women, By Women
GUEST ARTISTS
Guest Artists Include Manuel Barrueco, Del Sol Quartet, Abigail Fischer, Leon Fleisher, Martin Katz, Kronos Quartet, Tessa Lark, Robert McDonald, Patricia Racette, Marcy Rosen, David Russell, Jeffrey Thomas, Jason Vieaux, and others
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) today announces the details of its 2019-20 season. Under the theme of “Music and Nature,” the 2019-20 season features repertoire, collaborations, and a curricular sequence that connects to nature’s presence in music from multiple stylistic periods.
“Music and Nature” extends beyond the concert hall and into the classroom. Thematically linked courses, including a Proseminar that focuses on musical settings of nature and a class on ecomusicology and acoustic ecology, offer context for works ranging from the romantic era to the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. With performances by composers whose works evoke a natural sensibility, such as John Luther Adams, Toru Takemitsu, and Olivier Messiaen, this season brings the outdoors inside.
“Nature is the origin of all music, and this year we celebrate our relationship between the natural world and art,” says SFCM President David H. Stull. “Composers for thousands of years have been inspired, influenced, and compelled by the soundscape of the living planet. Our first accessories as early humans were bone flutes and we crafted these instruments more than 40,000 years ago. Over the course of this season, I invite you to explore the remarkable canon of work that has emerged from the most fundamental relationship of our existence—it promises to be an exciting and unprecedented journey.”
SPECIAL EVENTS
With every season comes a smattering of special events that bring vibrant crowds to SFCM’s halls. The year’s concerts start with Kick-off Weekend (September 27-29), featuring performances by the SFCM guitar department, Roots, Jazz, and American Music department, Pre-College division, New Music Ensemble, and chamber music, historical performance, and technology and applied composition departments. Two Music for Food events, helping the Bay Area overcome hunger, take place October 11 and February 18 (the first with violinist Tessa Lark). Faculty guitarist Lawrence Ferrara will be honored in a retirement concert on October 19. Techapella, the annual a cappella event for the tech world, takes place again this year at SFCM on November 10. SFCM also hosts the annual Hot Air Music Festival, now in its 11th year, on March 1 in an all-day affair. At the end of the season, SFCM will hold the 12th Biennial Choral Composition Competition on May 4.
RESIDENCIES, MASTER CLASSES, AND GUEST PERFORMANCES
SFCM’s series of master classes and guest artist concerts extends throughout the year. On October 11, SFCM presents a Music for Food event featuring violinist Tessa Lark (another Music for Food event takes place February 18), and, October 14, guitarist Manuel Barrueco gives a master class for guitar students. October 21 sees another guitar master class with Jason Vieaux, and collaborative pianist Martin Katz gives a voice master class on October 25. Deborah Voigt gives master classes on November 15, January 10, and February 7, and Patricia Racette also gives a master class on January 17. SFCM musicians perform side-by-side with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and Berkeley Symphony on January 17 and 18, respectively. The Kronos Quartet performs with SFCM and SFUSD students on February 6. Another historical performance master class on February 17, sponsored by American Bach Soloists, is led by conductor Jeffrey Thomas. Leon Fleisher returns to SFCM to give a master class on March 13, and cellist Marcy Rosen performs with SFCM students and faculty on March 19. Guitarist David Russell gives a master class on March 20 and another American Bach Soloists master class with faculty member Elizabeth Blumenstock takes place April 6. Pianist Robert McDonald gives a master class April 9 and a concert on April 11, part of his SFCM residency this season.
LARGE ENSEMBLES
SFCM’s large ensembles present works surrounding the theme “music and nature” this year in several performances. On September 28, as part of Kick-off Weekend, the SFCM New Music Ensemble, conducted by Nicole Paiement, performs Messiaen’s Le merle noir, Takemitsu’s Tree Line, Laura Schwedinger’s Constellations, and John Luther Adams’ In a Treeless Place, Only Snow. On October 18, the SFCM Orchestra, conducted by Edwin Outwater, performs Linda Catlin Smith’s Wilderness, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, and Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. On November 3, the SFCM Baroque Ensemble performs Lully’s Ballet des saisons, Autumn and Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, movements from Rebel’s Les Élémens, as well as arias with texts about nature by Handel and Vivaldi. On December 13, the SFCM Orchestra, under the direction of Joseph Young, conducts Julia Perry’s A Short Piece for Orchestra and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1. Nicole Paiement returns with the SFCM New Music Ensemble on February 21 to perform Leo Brouwer’s Cuban Landscape with Rain, Alexina Louie’s Winter Music, and Sculthorpe’s Nourlangie. On March 20, Steven Schick conducts the SFCM Chamber Orchestra in Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles.... Christopher Rountree conducts the SFCM Orchestra on April 17 and 19 in a program of Lutosławski and Brahms.
OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE
A dynamic year of opera and musical theatre takes place during the 2019-20 season. On November 21-22, SFCM produces a double bill of Mozart’s The Impresario and Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos (Prologue), directed by Heather Mathews and conducted by Curt Pajer. On December 6-7, Michael Mohammed directs She Turns the Tide: Musical Theatre About Women, By Women, a far-reaching revue with music direction by Lauren Mayer. The baroque opera, Ottone, by Handel will be performed in a concert version on March 14-15. The spring opera production on April 3 and 5 is Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, sung in English, directed by Jose Maria Condemi and conducted by Curt Pajer. On April 18 and 19, SFCM presents Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, with stage direction by Michael Mohammed and musical direction by Michael Horsley. To close out the year, SFCM produces faculty member David Conte’s Firebird Motel on April 30 and May 1, directed by Heather Mathews and conducted by Curt Pajer.
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
Historical Performance concerts abound this season. As part of Kick-off Weekend, a special early music vocal concert takes place on September 29. On November 3, the SFCM Baroque Ensemble performs nature-themed and seasonal works by Lully, Vivaldi, Rebel, and Handel. A master classes is given by Jeffrey Thomas on February 17, presented by American Bach Soloists. The year’s baroque opera selection is Handel’s Ottone, performed in a concert version on March 14-15. Another American Bach Soloists master class with faculty violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock takes place April 6 and the Historical Performance faculty join guest artists on April 12 for an early music concert. The SFCM Baroque Ensemble returns April 26 for the annual concerto competition winners concert.
FACULTY ARTIST SERIES
To start off the season, Lauren Mayer gives a cabaret-themed recital on September 8 and Ian Swensen performs a violin recital September 9. Guitarist Judicaël Perroy performs on September 15 and Mario Guarneri gives a trumpet recital September 16. Cellist Bonnie Hampton performs September 22. In October, Pre-College faculty guitarist Ross Thompson performs on the 6th and cellist Jean-Michel Fonteneau performs on the 14th. Clarinetist Jeff Anderle performs on October 21 and the Telegraph Quartet gives a recital on October 23. November sees percussionist Jack Van Geem perform on the 11th. Roots, Jazz, and American Music faculty perform on February 8 and, on February 10, cellist Amos Yang gives a recital. Additionally, in November, violinist Cordula Merks gives a recital on the 24th. Ryan Brown gives a composition recital on March 9 and, on March 18, the Telegraph Quartet returns with visiting mezzo-soprano Abigail Fischer. David Conte’s composition recital on April 7 sees SFCM faculty and alumni join together for several works, including regional and world premieres. Historical Performance faculty members team up on April 12 with guest artists for a recital and, on April 25, new faculty member Simon James gives a violin recital. At the end of the month, Alexander John Stalarow gives a lecture/performance on April 26.
CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING OF EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Dates, performers, and repertoire subject to change. Visit sfcm.edu/performances for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, September 8, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Lauren Mayer, musical theatre
Monday, September 9, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Ian Swensen, violin
Sunday, September 15, 2019, 2:00 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Judicaël Perroy, guitar
Monday, September 16, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Mario Guarneri, trumpet
Sunday, September 22, 2019, 2:00 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Bonnie Hampton, cello
Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Faculty Chamber Music Concert
Cordula Merks, violin
Simon James, violin
Dimitri Murrath, viola
Jean-Michel Fonteneau, cello
Paul Hersh, piano
Friday, September 27, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Guitar Concert with Del Sol Quartet
Featuring the world premiere of Tomb(er) by Ronald Bruce Smith
Part of Kick-off Weekend
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 2:00 PM, SFJAZZ Center (Miner Auditorium)
Roots, Jazz, and American Music
Part of Kick-off Weekend
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 5:30 PM, Recital Hall
Pre-College Concert
Part of Kick-off Weekend
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
New Music Ensemble
Nicole Paiement, conductor
MESSIAEN: Le merle noir
TAKEMITSU: Tree Line
Laura SCHWENDINGER: Constellations
John Luther ADAMS: In a Treeless Place, Only Snow
Part of Kick-off Weekend
Sunday, September 29, 2019, 2:00 PM, Concert Hall
Chamber Music Concert
Part of Kick-off Weekend
Sunday, September 29, 2019, 5:00 PM, Salon
Historical Performance Concert
Part of Kick-off Weekend
Sunday, September 29, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Technology and Applied Composition Concert
Part of Kick-off Weekend
Monday, September 30, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Woodwind Chamber Music Side-by-Side
Sunday, October 6, 2019, 2:00 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Ross Thompson, guitar
Monday, October 7, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Dimitri Murrath, viola
with Hyeyeon Park, piano
Works by Bloch, Enescu, and Paul Wiancko
Friday, October 11, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Special Event
Music for Food
Dimitri Murrath, viola
Jennifer Culp, cello
with special guest Tessa Lark, violin
HAYDN: Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV:25 ("Gypsy")
GRIEG: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45
BRAHMS: String Sextet No. 2 in G major, Op. 36
Monday, October 14, 2019, 7:00 PM, Salon
Master Class
Manuel Barrueco, guitar
Monday, October 14, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Jean-Michel Fonteneau, cello
Friday, October 18, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Orchestra
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Linda Catlin SMITH: Wilderness
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5
RACHMANINOFF: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Saturday, October 19, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Special Event
Lawrence Ferrara Retirement Concert
Monday, October 21, 2019, 7:00 PM, Salon
Master Class
Jason Vieaux, guitar
Monday, October 21, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Jeff Anderle, clarinet
Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Telegraph Quartet
Friday, October 25, 2019, 7:00 PM, Recital Hall
Master Class
Martin Katz, collaborative piano
Sunday, November 3, 2019, 2:00 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Baroque Ensemble
Corey Jamason and Elisabeth Reed, directors
LULLY: Ballet des saisons
VIVALDI: Autumn and Winter from The Four Seasons
REBEL: Les Élémens (select movements)
Additional arias by Handel and Vivaldi
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Special Event
Techapella
12:00 PM Recital Hall
2:00 PM Recital Hall
5:30 PM Concert Hall
Monday, November 11, 2019, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Jack Van Geem, percussion
Friday, November 15, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Master Class
Deborah Voigt, voice
Saturday, November 16, 2019, 7:00 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Chorus
Ragnar Bohlin, conductor
Thursday, November 21, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Friday, November 22, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Opera
MOZART: The Impresario
STRAUSS: Ariadne auf Naxos (Prologue)
Friday, December 6, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Side-by-Side
Roots, Jazz, and American Music
Friday, December 6, 2019, 8:00 PM, Recital Hall
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 8:00 PM, Recital Hall
SFCM Musical Theatre
Michael Mohammed, stage director
Lauren Mayer, musical director
She Turns the Tide: Musical Theatre About Women, By Women
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 5:00 PM, Concert Hall
Pre-College Holiday Showcase
Friday, December 13, 2019, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Orchestra
Joseph Young, conductor
Julia PERRY: A Short Piece for Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 1
Friday, January 10, 2020, 5:00 PM, Recital Hall
Master Class
Deborah Voigt, voice
Friday, January 17, 2020, 5:00 PM, Recital Hall
Master Class
Patricia Racette, voice
Friday, January 17, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Side-by-Side
San Francisco Contemporary Music Players with SFCM Musicians
Saturday, January 18, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Berkeley Symphony with SFCM Musicians
Concerto Competition Winners Concert
Friday, January 31, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Sunday, February 2, 2020, 2:00 PM, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
SFCM Orchestra
Thursday, February 6, 2020, 8:00 PM, Concert Hall
Special Event
Kronos Quartet with SFUSD and SFCM Students
Friday, February 7, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Master Class
Deborah Voigt, voice
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Roots, Jazz, and American Music
Monday, February 10, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Amos Yang, cello
Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Woodwind Chamber Music Side-by-Side
Monday, February 17, 2020, 7:30 PM, Salon
Historical Performance Master Class (American Bach Soloists)
Jeffrey Thomas, conductor
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Special Event
Music for Food
Friday, February 21, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM New Music Ensemble
Nicole Paiement, conductor
Leo BROUWER: Cuban Landscape with Rain
Alexina LOUIE: Winter Music
SCULTHORPE: Nourlangie
Monday, February 24, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Cordula Merks, violin
Sunday, March 1, 2020, All Day, All SFCM Halls
Special Event
Hot Air Music Festival
Monday, March 9, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Ryan Brown, composition
Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Chamber Music Concert
Friday, March 13, 2020, 7:00 PM, Concert Hall
Master Class
Leon Fleisher, piano
Saturday, March 14, 2020, 7:00 PM, Concert Hall
Sunday, March 15, 2020, 2:00 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Baroque Opera
HANDEL: Ottone (Concert Version)
Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Telegraph Quartet with mezzo-soprano Abigail Fischer
Thursday, March 19, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Chamber Music Side-by-Side
Cellist Marcy Rosen with SFCM Students and Faculty
Friday, March 20, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Chamber Orchestra
Steven Schick, conductor
MESSIAEN: Des canyons aux étoiles...
Friday, March 20, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Master Class
David Russell, guitar
Friday, April 3, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Sunday, April 5, 2020, 2:00 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Opera
STRAUSS: Die Fledermaus
Monday, April 6, 2020, 7:30 PM, Salon
Historical Performance Master Class (American Bach Soloists)
Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin
Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Faculty Artist Series
David Conte, composition
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Marnie Breckenridge, soprano
Kevin Rivard, French horn
Kevin Korth, piano
Dawn Harms, conductor
Bay Area Rainbow Symphony
David CONTE: American Death Ballads for tenor and chamber orchestra (American Premiere)
David CONTE: Sexton Songs for soprano and piano
David CONTE: Sonata for French Horn and Piano (World Premiere)
Thursday, April 9, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Master Class
Robert McDonald, piano
Saturday, April 11, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Artist Residency Concert
Chamber Music with pianist Robert McDonald
Sunday, April 12, 2020, 2:00 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Historical Performance Faculty with Guest Artists
Friday, April 17, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Sunday, April 19, 2020, 2:00 PM, Location TBD
SFCM Orchestra
Christopher Rountree, conductor
LUTOSŁAWSKI: Partita for Violin and Orchestra
John Luther ADAMS: Become Ocean
Saturday, April 18, 2020, 8:00 PM, Recital Hall
Sunday, April 19, 2020, 5:00 PM, Recital Hall
SFCM Musical Theatre
Michael Mohammed, stage director
Michael Horsely, musical director
SONDHEIM: Into the Woods
Friday, April 24, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Side-by-Side
Roots, Jazz, and American Music
Saturday, April 25, 2020, 7:30 PM, Recital Hall
Faculty Artist Series
Simon James, violin
Sunday, April 26, 2020, 2:00 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Baroque Ensemble
Concerto Competition Winners Concert
Sunday, April 26, 2020, 5:00 PM, Salon
Faculty Artist Series
Lecture/performance with Alexander John Stalarow
Thursday, April 30, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Friday, May 1, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
SFCM Opera
David CONTE: Firebird Motel
Monday, May 4, 2020, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall
Special Event
12th Biennial Choral Composition Competition