Alexi Kenney with Philharmonia Baroque

Philharmonia SESSIONS presents violinist Alexi Kenney with Philharmonia Chamber Players and Scholar-in-Residence Francesco Spagnolo in a program tracing the connections between the Bach and Mendelssohn families — from manuscript collecting to the historic 1829 revival that helped bring Bach’s music back into public life. The evening reveals how music is preserved, rediscovered, and reshaped across generations.

Concert Highlights

• • Alexi Kenney has earned international acclaim for his musical flexibility, personal style, and artistic interpretations, regularly performing with leading orchestras and chamber music ensembles.
  • Scholar-in-Residence Francesco Spagnolo offers illuminating commentary on the family ties, manuscript collecting, and musical networks that shaped German music in the 19th century.
  • The program features Bach’s sacred writing, Fanny Mendelssohn’s String Quartet, and Felix Mendelssohn’s electrifying Octet — a masterpiece written at just sixteen.
  • Part of Philharmonia’s SESSIONS series, this concert unfolds in a relaxed, informal setting that blends performance with insight.

Program

Alexi Kenney, violin
Francesco Spagnolo, scholar-in-residence
Philharmonia Chamber Players

J.S. BACH – Chorale “Erkenne mich, mein Hüter” from St. Matthew Passion

Fanny MENDELSSOHN – String Quartetin E-flat major, H277

Felix MENDELSSOHN – String Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20

Thursday, May 6 2027 | 7:30 PM

Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto