Another stylish concert opened with String Symphony Nr. 7, a wild and stimulating array of sonic textures written by 13-year-old (!) Felix Mendelssohn in the early 19th century. Here the strings of the tight ensemble seemed to shape shift into many instruments as this flamboyant piece expanded through a jungle of tempi.
Under the baton of Michael McGushin, the players revealed a vast array of colors, before the concert moved into the Nordic noir territory with a dreamy tone poem from Finland’s Jean Sibelius, titled En Saga. Topnotes of Stravinsky, mazurkas, and various Orientalist spices filtered through this unusual piece, which offered a serious workout for the magic flute of Lars Johannesson, Espressivo’s current director, and the eloquent clarinet of Erica Horn. Essentially a little concerto for flute, clarinet and strings.
But let’s cut to the chase: Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Never has angular dissonance sounded so beautiful, the sort of music that restores souls. McGushin worked to build the energy up to and through the six variations on the old Quaker hymn, “tis a gift to be simple” that holds the center of piece. Punctuated with the sudden jazz memories from Copland’s years playing in Paris clubs. Exceptional performance from the entire ensemble. Johannesson’s luminous flute spun long undulating passages, seemingly impossible. One great denouement after another, rising, swelling, falling. Shifting syncopation and clever push-pull of diminished sevenths.
Even today, this is still a quintessentially modernist American text. Special kudos for sinuous tone and heroic endurance through a labyrinth of tricky timing by clarinetist Erica Horn. Brava!
Prodigal Tomboy Kay Martin
Latin? bassa nova? blues? Yes to all of the above, and more in the upcoming First Friday gig by Kay Martin. In the hands of world-traveled Martin you can expect moody long-lost-love songs. And edgy, maverick wanderlust tunes. And plenty of earthy spicy Brazilian jazz. All of Martin’s Prodigal Tomboy ideas sprang from a year of solo traveling and performing in Europe, Wales and Morocco. In league with her accompanist Fefe Lee, she honed, edited and recorded a collection from which she’ll romance listeners at her First Friday July 3 pop-up concert. A fetching performer and exuberant spirit. Sexy stuff. Not to miss!
First Friday July 3rd, at Felix Kulpa Gallery at 5 pm, 107 Elm St. downtown.
Sister Act takes the Cabrillo Stage
Irresistible crowd-pleaser takes the Cabrillo Stage to bust some moves starting July 9 with stop-the-show solos and powerhouse ensemble scenes. Sister Act, based on the popular 1992 film is directed by the awesome Rebecca Haley Clark, with music and vocals by Daniel Goldsmith. A stageful of singers and dancers will deliver the saga of a feisty nightclub singer forced into witness protection, in a convent. Imagine the possibilities of that scenario. Tons of exuberant music, humor, and camaraderie—exactly what we’ve come to expect with Cabrillo Stage’s Artistic Director Andrea L. Hart. You’ll walk out of the theater with a big fat smile on your face. So go get your tickets! Crocker Theatre on the Cabrillo College campus, July 9—August 2. www.cabrillostage.com
36 North @ Actors Theatre
Absorbing behind-the-scenes views of the process, with script-in-hand readings from plays-in-progress. Lean into emerging theater works fresh from the feverish minds of the playwrights. July 20 spotlights two pieces, one by Wilma Chandler, another by Jim Schultz. Mesmerizing stuff followed by Q&A from the 36North Playwrights’ Collective. Put down that device and expand your horizons. FREE admission. Actors Theatre, 1001 Center St., SC. Monday 7pm,
Pedal Pushers
‘Tis time for Boomeria! the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival’s annual homage to the legendary keyboard craftsman Preston Boomer. Here’s a chance to feast on the sounds and styles of six organists and assorted other remarkable musicians, as they wail, rip, and shred at the fundraiser launch of the Festival’s 53rd season. The sound of a large pipe organ played with passion is indubitably psychedelic, n’est-ce pas?
St. Andrews’s Church of Ben Lomond. Saturday July 11th, 1-4. scbaroque.org/tickets/
