Best Upcoming Classical Music Performances In Sacramento

Although the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera is presently on hiatus due to financial issues, the region is not lacking in options for devotees of classical music. Unbeknownst to many fans of other genres, classical music comes in a wide variety of styles and from past centuries to the present day. For example, the romantic mood at many weddings is set with intensely emotional pieces created during the 1800s by Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Debussy and other composers. If you prefer going for baroque, sample the richly textured works of Pachelbel and Vivaldi, or get medieval with monophonic Gregorian chants. Bach sonatas and concertos by Amadeus are as evocative today as when they were first composed, and Sacramento performances reflect the current age of classical works with works by Aaron Copland and George Gershwin. Here are some great upcoming classical music performances coming to Sacramento.

Yo-Yo Ma
Sacramento Speakers Series
3001 I St., Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 388-1100
www.sacramentospeakers.com

Date: Dec. 9, 2014

The incomparable Yo-Yo Ma brings his wildly diverse cello repertoire to Sacramento for this installment of the Speakers Series. He will perform during the first half and then will be speaking and taking audience questions during the remainder. Ma has released more than 70 albums, earning Grammy Awards for 15 of them, and does not limit his talents to one genre. The Harvard graduate has also recorded Brazilian music, Argentine tangos, traditional Chinese music and American bluegrass, has performed with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Bobby McFerrin, worked with the Dixie Chicks and even played a duet with Condoleezza Rice.

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William Barbini and Kineko Okumura
Chamber Music Society of Sacramento
St Paul's Episcopal Church
1430 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-2908
www.cmssacto.org

Date: Dec. 7, 2014

William Barbini has performed with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, and will play aside Kineko Okumura at this event sponsored by the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento. Okumura is the principal second violin with the Sacramento Chamber Orchestra, as well as the associate concertmaster for the Classical Philharmonic and Pro Art Symphony. This performance at St. Paul's will include violin concertos in D minor by Tartini and Bach and Vivaldi's sonata for cello and harpsichord.

'From Heaven on High'
Schola Cantorum
Sacred Heart Church
1040 39th St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 962-6056
www.scholacantorum.com

Dates: Dec. 20, 2014; additional performance at St. Ignatius Church on Dec. 21, 2014

Donald Kendrick conducts the mixed choir Schola Cantorum for "From Heaven on High," accompanied by oboist Cindy Behmer, Beverly Wesner-Hoehn on harp and Ryan Enright on organ. Based on Felix Mendelssohn's "Weihnachtslied," this is a much-loved holiday concert.

Classical Revolution Sacramento Concert Series
Shine
1400 E St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 551-1400
www.facebook.com/ClassicalRevolutionSac

Dates: Nov. 10 and Dec. 8, 2014

Classical Revolution Sacramento makes classical more approachable by bringing live chamber music out into the community. This fun and engaging performance series takes place at Shine, a combination coffeehouse, gallery and music venue.

Festival of New American Music
Sacramento State Music Capistrano Hall
6000 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 278-5723
www.csus.edu

Dates: Nov. 12, 14 and 16, 2014

Presented by Sacramento State's music department, these are the final three performances in the free concert series. The Fidelio Trio, featured on November 12, play from a diverse catalog of classic and contemporary works for piano, violin and cello. Their performance will include John Harbison and Charles Wuorinen piano trios, and works by Even Ziporyn and Elena Ruehr.

The highly acclaimed Mana Quartet performs on November 14 at the festival. The Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition's 2009 grand champions were the first saxophone quartet to win that honor, and are currently the National Music Festival's resident chamber ensemble.

Violinist Charles "Chase" Spruill will be featured on November 16, the final day of the festival. The Sac State alum founded the contemporary classical group Citywater, and is in permanent residency with Rhode Island's Providence String Quartet. Philip Glass Ensemble musical director Michael Riesman will be performing with Spruill for the evening.

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Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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