SummerFest confluence
The SummerFest brochure arrived quietly, as most mail does; however, there’s a bombshell announcement on page 10 about which serious concertgoers must take immediate action. In a program titled “Memories of Russia” (3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 at Sherwood Auditorium) all three former SummerFest artistic directors ” violist Heiichiro Ohyama, cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han ” join current artistic director Cho-Liang Lin to perform the Andante from Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C Minor, Opus 60. If that’s not a miracle, nothing is.
Since departing SummerFest in 2000, Finckel has performed with the Emerson String Quartet at Mandeville Auditorium and also played a duo recital with Wu Han, who is his wife, at the same venue. They are now co-artistic directors of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Music at Menlo (www.musicatmenlo.org), a chamber music festival they founded in 2003.
Blues in five shades
Staged by Calvin Manson of Ira Aldridge Repertory Players (IARP), five singers perform an abundance of blues at North Park’s Acoustic Expressions’ Express Stage (2856 University Ave., side entrance) through June 25 only. All excellent, the singers are Ayanna Hobson, Charmen Jackson, Don Jackson, Anasa Johnson and Prince Seawood, with a spoken word assist by Kenneth Callaway. Absolutely phenomenal accompaniment is provided by lead guitarist Joe Norwood (great interplay with the vocalists), bass Dana Mayer, keyboardist Vick Kemp and drummer Pat Bogel. As usual with Manson’s productions, an editor would be beneficial. There are 33 musical numbers plus two instrumental overtures. Way too much of good things, but the singers and players are so talented one almost forgets the unyielding folding chair. Get there early and snag a sofa. There was a capacity crowd June 9, so call for a reservation.
“5 Shades of Blues” continues at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday through June 25, IARP box office (619) 283-4574, Acoustic Expressions, (619) 546-6128.
Mainly Mozart in full swing
A delighted audience enjoyed “Mexican Waltzes” at Mainly Mozart’s free, weekday brown-bag programs (see list of others) on Tuesday, June 6. The dances were performed to a recording left behind by Cuarteto Latinoamericano ere they departed after a series of cross-border concerts. California Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Malashock Dance and Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theatre participated in the hour-long entertainment, which ranged from earnestly classical to outrageously funny. Each company waltzed, and moreover did so in a style stamped with familiar characteristics.
Free noontime programs
Lyceum Theatre, Horton Plaza
“¢ Thursday, June 15, Jean Isaacs Dance Theatre, Moderns for Mozart
“¢ Friday, June 16, Hyperion String Quartet
“¢ Monday, June 19, Lamb’s Players “Behind the Scenes: Amadeus”
“¢ Tuesday, June 20, Icarus Puppet Company “Sonata on Strings”
“¢ Wednesday, June 21, Stanley Walens lecture, “Why Mozart Matters”
Mainly Mozart this week
“¢ 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15, Bristol Hotel Starlight Ballroom, the Fine Arts Quartet plays Mozart’s String Quartet in D, K. 400; and Mendel-ssohn’s String Quartet in E-flat, Opus 12
“¢ 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Copley Symphony Hall, 7th and B, Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra plays all Mozart, Atherton conducting with basset clarinet Michael Collins
“¢ 8 p.m. Sunday, June 18, Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Dr., La Jolla, violist Cardenes, flutist Timothy Day, oboist Laura Griffiths, clarinetist Michael Collins, bassoonist Valentin Martchev, horn Gregory Hustis, and pianist Marc Shapiro play Gioacchino Rossini, Mozart and Ludwig Thuille.
For programming details and additional concerts visit www.mainlymozart.org or phone (619) 239-0100.
