Random Acts
Venice Baroque Orchestra; GlobalFEST on the Road; New Mexico Bach Society; and pianist Alexander Paley
Italian splendor: Venice Baroque Orchestra
The Venice Baroque Orchestra is a major-league ensemble on the international period-instrument circuit, having made many acclaimed recordings on Deutsche Grammophon, Sony, and other leading classical labels. The group alights in New Mexico courtesy of the Los Alamos Concert Association, on Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m., for a concert of Italian Baroque music at Crossroads Bible Church (97 East Road, Los Alamos). Several works, including two Vivaldi concertos, feature recorder virtuoso Anna Fusek. Works by Corelli, Cavalli, and others round out the program. Tickets ($35) can be ordered through ticketssantafe.org or by calling 505-988-1234; at the door, they cost $40. — James M. Keller Clear focus: New Mexico Bach Society The New Mexico Bach Society presents selections from that composer’s St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion, as well as his Cantata No. 8 (“Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben?”). Franz Vote conducts the chorus, vocal soloists, and instrumental ensemble. In addition, pianist Jacquelyn Helin will play Bach’s French Suite No. 1. Performances take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, at United Church of Los Alamos (2525 Canyon Road, Los Alamos) and at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, at the Immaculate Heart Chapel (50 Mount Carmel Road, Santa Fe). Tickets for the Los Alamos concert are $15-$25 and for the Santa Fe performance are $18-$35; they are available through New Mexico Performing Arts Society (nmpas.org). — J.M.K.
Russian repertoire: Pianist Alexander Paley
The Moldova-born musician Alexander Paley developed into a powerhouse pianist at the Moscow Conservatory and won prestigious awards as he established his career, including first prizes in the Leipzig International Bach Competition (1984), the Bösendorfer Prize (1986), and the first International Pancho Vladigerov Competition in Bulgaria (1986). In his first Santa Fe recital, he performs specimens of the Russian canon that is a cornerstone of his repertoire: Tchaikovsky’s cycle The Seasons, Scriabin’s Sonata No. 2, Medtner’s
Sonata Reminiscenza, and Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 3. The recital takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, at First Presbyterian Church (208 Grant Ave.). Tickets ($30) can be purchased at the door or, in advance, through kachinaconcerts.wordpress.com. — J.M.K.
Que viva Latinoamérica: GlobalFEST
Some of the hippest Latin American bands from across the United States showcase their sounds at GlobalFEST on the Road: The New Golden Age of Latin Music, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, at the Lensic Performing Arts Center (211 W. San Francisco St.). Las Cafeteras, from Los Angeles, plays traditional AfroCaribbean son jarocho music influenced by punk, reggae, spoken-word poetry, and other inspirations. The all-female members of Flor de Toloache — 2017 Latin Grammy winner for Best Ranchero Album — perform New York-style mariachi, while New Mexico’s own Nosotros opens the show with their signature upbeat energy that will have you dancing in your seat from the first notes. Tickets are $22-$46; visit ticketssantafe.org or call 505-988-1234. — Jennifer Levin