San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
A WORLD OF MUSIC
From international stars to local standouts, San Diego has a lot to be excited about in classical music next year
Classical music aficionados in San Diego have much to look forward to in 2024.
The 2023-24 season has already been flourishing, and there are five more months of concerts to come. And aural treats are plentiful here even during the typical classical music summer slowdown, with the San Diego Symphony at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Mainly Mozart’s All-star Orchestra Festival (June 20-29) and the La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest (late July to August). Here are five classical highlights for the year ahead.
San Diego Symphony: Five February nights
Leading up to the 2024 reopening of Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall, the symphony will again start performing in venues around the region in January.
On Feb. 9 and 11, Principal guest conductor Edo de Waart will lead the orchestra playing Bach, Strauss and Haydn. Concertmaster Jeff Thayer and principal oboist Sarah Skuster — among the symphony’s most highly regarded standouts — will perform Bach’s Concerto for violin and oboe.
In February, the symphony’s music director, Rafael Payare, will conduct three concerts. On the weekend of Feb. 15, trumpeter Pacho Flores will play noted Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz’s “Altar de bronce,” and on Feb. 25, preeminent violinist Gil Shaham will play the West Coast debut of in-demand American composer Mason Bates’ Violin Concerto. Edo de Waart: 8 p.m. Feb. 9; 2 p.m. Feb. 11. Baker-baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $50-$105. theconrad.org
La Jolla Symphony: ‘A Broken Hallelujah’
The La Jolla Symphony’s esteemed music director emeritus, Steven Schick, guest conducts the varied February program, featuring a world premiere by Iranian composer Nasim Khorassani. Another Iranian composer, New York’s Niloufar Nourbakhsh, will have her electronics-tinged piece performed by up-and-coming cellist Robert Bui. Pieces by Toru Takemitsu, with the Schick-led percussion ensemble red fish blue fish, and Stravinsky will round out the evening.
Schick’s very capable successor as music director, Sameer Patel, will conduct three more concerts this season, closing with “Time Present and Time Past” on June 8 and 9. His choice of Ravel’s Ma mère l’oye and John Adams’ Harmonielehre promises to be an intriguing pairing. “A Broken Hallelujah”: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10; 1 p.m. Feb. 11. Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Pre-concert lecture one hour before performance. $20-$43. (858) 534-4637, ljsc.org
La Jolla Music Society: Kronos Quartet & Sam Green
Members of the revered Kronos Quartet come to La Jolla in March with “A Thousand Thoughts,” a film about them for which they’ll play the score live. Directed by Sam Green, who will join the groundbreaking group onstage, the “live documentary” includes interviews with collaborators and archival footage and photos that demonstrate both the serious and playful sides of Kronos.
This inventive presentation first toured in 2018. The updated version includes the newest Kronos member, cellist Paul Wiancko, a standout at LJMS’ 2023 Summerfest. He’ll be in the film and onstage with violinist David Harrington, who founded the quartet, violinist John Sherba and violist Hank Dutt.
On April 26, Yefim Bronfman will again grace LJMS’ Baker-baum Concert Hall. Known for his technical prowess and emotional depth, the legendary pianist will play Schubert, Schumann and Tchaikovsky. Junction Trio is a touring ensemble of three top-notch young musicians (under 40) with successful careers of their own. On March 8, pianist Conrad Tao, violinist Stefan Jackiw and cellist Jay Campbell will play works by John Zorn, Ives and Beethoven. Kronos Quartet: 7:30 p.m. March 8. Bakerbaum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $48-$93. (858) 459-3728, theconrad.org
March Luteness
Thanks to separately produced concerts in March, local audiences will get the opportunity to hear stellar lutenists. Unfortunately, there’s overlap, but figuring out how to hear both will be worth it for lute lovers.
The San Diego Early Music Society is presenting La Morra, an international ensemble of singers and instrumentalists based in Switzerland, with special guest Nigel North. One of the greatest living lutenists, North will play Italian pieces with La Morra from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Bach Collegium San Diego will explore the foundations of modern music in its “Love and Revolution” concert. Joining its expert cadre of singers and musicians is Grammy Awardwinning conductor and lutenist Stephen Stubbs. The concerts will include works by Claudio Monteverdi and Sigismondo D’india.
Early Music Society: 7:30 p.m. March 2. St. James by-the-sea, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $25-$50. (619) 291-8246, sdems.org. Bach Collegium: 7 p.m. March 8; 3 p.m. March 9. March 8: All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd., Point Loma. March 9: Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. $15-60. (619) 341-1726, bachcollegiumsd.org
Art of Elan
On April 25, Art of Elan’s “Songs of Hope” will showcase the harp solo piece of the same name at the Mingei International Museum. Commissioned by Art of Elan, acclaimed composer/violinist Michi Wiancko wrote it specifically for San Diego Symphony’s principal harpist, Julie Smith Phillips, who plays it that night.
Also on the program is the West Coast premiere of “O Sweet and Beloved Mother” by another nationally known composer, Sarah Kirkland Snider.
There’s a complimentary pre-concert champagne reception at 6 p.m. for ticket holders.
Art of Elan’s Jan. 16 concert at The Jai in La Jolla features Schubert’s compelling “Death and the Maiden.” The string quartet will be performed by top local artists: Wes Precourt, Art of Elan director Kate Hatmaker, Hanah Stuart and Alex Greenbaum.
On May 6, Art of Elan joins with Artpower to present the much-praised JACK Quartet at UC San Diego’s The Loft. JACK features violinists Christopher Otto and Austin Wulliman, violist John Richards and Junction Trio cellist Jay Campbell.
“Songs of Hope” will be at 7 p.m. April 25. Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. $15-$35. (619) 678-1709, artofelan.org