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 Bach in the ForestMarch 14, 2007 at 4:35 PM There’s a church in the Santa Cruz Mountains (Portola Valley) that has a glass front wall which yields a staggering view of ancient redwoods. You walk into the church and it’s seeing God in a whole new light—in the form of enormous, towering trees, their velvety reddish brown trunks filling the lower half of the scene and up higher, the emerald redwood boughs crowding the scenery, punctuated by bits of blue sky.It was in this environment last Sunday afternoon that the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra performed, commencing their program with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. Yes, it was as exquisite and ethereal as you might imagine. To make the deal even sweeter: the concert was admission-free. Isn’t that the greatest? The mission of the SFCO, they say on their website is “to bring the immediacy and intimacy of music for small orchestra and chamber ensemble to audiences of all ages by presenting classical, contemporary, and commissioned works” free of charge—the only professional chamber orchestra of its caliber in the country offering this (700 free concerts given since its inception in 1953). The Brandenburg Concerto was followed by the world premiere of award-winning composer Kurt Rohde’s brooding viola concerto, “White Boy/Man Invisible,” with Madeline Prager as soloist. After intermission, Axel Strauss performed Bach’s violin concerto No. 2 in E Major, then Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks Concerto concluded the concert. The highlight of the program for me was, of course, the violin concerto. It was the lure that had prompted me to drive an hour to get there on an otherwise busy Sunday afternoon. And Axel Strauss, winner of the 1998 Naumberg Violin Award and professor of violin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, didn't disappoint. I’d last seen him performing the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Marin Symphony in the fall of 2005, and I was struck, both then and now, by his flawless intonation, technical precision and compelling stage presence. The tone he pulled from his 1845 Pressenda was clear and sweet, projecting with ease over the background voices, while still acknowledging the orchestra’s presence and importance. It’s a cliché to say I was transported, but honestly, I was. Just behind the musicians was this spectacular A-framed backdrop of towering redwoods that are several hundred years old. They were around when Bach composed his music—think about it. Furthermore, it was one of those perfect Bay Area Sunday afternoons—warm, sunny, a gentle breeze stirring the trees outside, sending puffs of pine-scented air through the open church. And here’s this world-class ensemble and soloist, the spirit of Bach swirling around, and I had one of those moments of perfect peace where you realize life doesn’t get much better than this. The SFCO is directed by Ben Simon—violist and former member of several acclaimed quartets, music director of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, and a faculty member at UC Berkeley (following appointments at Stanford and Harvard). He is a lively presenter with an appealing style that helps involve the listener in the music being presented—an excellent spokesman and leader for an ensemble whose goal is to educate and enlighten the next generation of music lovers through outreach programs. It heartens me to see music of this caliber presented, free to the public, providing hope for the continuation of classical music in the community and our society. The fact that I got to hear an exceptional violin concerto while enjoying the redwoods makes the feeling all the more sweet. The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra will perform next in April in a theatrical presentation called “The Devil Made Me Do It,” throughout the Bay Area. A May performance of “Crossroads: Music from the African Diaspora” will conclude their season. Check their website out here Axel Strauss will be performing the Brahms Double Concerto with San Jose’s Symphony Silicon Valley, May 10 through 13, along with colleague and world-class cellist Mark Kosower. Yes, I’ve bought my ticket. Check out Symphony Silicon Valley’s season schedule here
From Karin Lin
Wow, sounds wonderful, Terez. I should definitely check out the other orchestras in the area---I know the SFS isn't the only game in town---but with busy schedules and babysitting needs, you know how it goes. I should check out Symphony Silicon Valley, though.
Posted on March 14, 2007 at 4:36 PM From Terez Mertes
Yes, Karin, I KNOW how it goes! (sigh...) And, hey, on the SFS '07-'08 program, I must say I was shocked to see that Gil was going to be playing the W. Schuman concerto again, after he just did it last year. What a difficult concerto to relax and enjoy. I sooooo wish it could have been the Barber VC. Oh well. Otherwise, some great stuff lined up, yes? James Ehnes! And Julia Fischer! Finally get to hear these two. (And, of course, won't miss Anne-Sophie.) Posted on March 14, 2007 at 4:39 PM Oh, andI didn't answer this question before - yes, I do the Sunday matinee series, but alas, that's it for the year for me. Next year, tho, definitely again. You? If so, we'll have to meet up afterwards.
From Karin Lin
Hey Terez, I have some sort of Sunday matinee series for the SFS; I forget which now, but it's not the same as yours because we have two more performances this season. I don't think I'm going to subscribe next year, though; there's not quite enough I'm interested in, and it does get pricey. I plan to buy single tickets for a couple of the concerts, though, so maybe I'll catch you at one of them. And perhaps 2007-08 will be the year to check out some of the other fine ensembles in the area. :D
Posted on March 14, 2007 at 8:41 PM From Terez Mertes
Karin - I switched out the two remaining tix in favor of seeing the soloists. Will be going to Nadja S-S's recital in April.
Posted on March 14, 2007 at 9:05 PM From Mendy Smith
Terez - you are making me miss the SC mountains!!!Hope all is going well with you!
Posted on March 15, 2007 at 4:18 AM From Pauline Lerner
It sounds absolutely beautiful -- redwoods and music. I'm glad you went, and I wish I could go, too. (It's just a few thousand miles away from me.)
Posted on March 15, 2007 at 6:03 AM From Karen Allendoerfer
I love reading your and Laurie's blogs from CA. I lived in CA for almost 10 years, Palo Alto (87-91), Berkeley (92-93), and Pasadena (94-96), and I still miss it. Thanks for letting me go back in spirit.
Posted on March 15, 2007 at 11:33 AM From Terez Mertes
Thanks, Mendy, Pauline and Karen. It WAS wonderful and I feel fortunate to live among the redwoods. So glad my attempts to describe the joy of music + trees came across. (And Mendy & Karen - when you're feeling too nostalgic, just think of the high cost of living here - like gas at $3.49 a gallon. Portola Valley on Sunday? Full-service option at $4.49 a gallon. Gulp!)
Posted on March 15, 2007 at 12:18 PM From Terez Mertes
>I wish I could go, too. (It's just a few thousand miles away from me.)Posted on March 15, 2007 at 12:22 PM Yes, that commute REALLY tends to cut into one's Sunday afternoon, doesn't it? : ) This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments. |
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