Musically Mostly Pesach
When: 1 pm-2 pm Tuesday, 4/12/22
Where: Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
You’re in for a treat: This program is different from the usual concert fare. Musicians from PBO will perform music representing events and circumstances of the Exodus—with additional dramatic pieces broadly based around Passover themes such as redemption and renewal. You’ll hear moving selections by Handel, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Rossi, and other traditional favorites.
Performers:
Noah Strick and Maxine Nemerovski, violins
Anthony Martin, viola
Paul Hale, cello
Farley Pearce, bass
Mixing it Up Vocally: SATB and
Continuo
When: 2 PM-2:30 PM Sunday, March 20, 2022
Where: War Memorial Veterans Building, San Francisco
“Mixing it up Vocally: SATB and Continuo” is a program by Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale as part of their work in educational outreach, bringing insight and appreciation of early music to in-school programs and community music centers. A workshop and jam session for vocalists, instrumentalists, and all music lovers “Mixing it up Vocally” shows audiences how addictive the sounds of period instruments and voices can be! This program features a dramatic, flexible quartet of vocalists representing the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sections of PBO’s all-star Chorale. Accompanied by a PBO continuo cellist and harpsichordist, the ensemble performs a variety of popular repertoire from the baroque period and beyond, treating the audience to unforgettable tunes and “HIP” (historically informed performance).
Angela Arnold, soprano
Heidi Waterman, alto
Mark Mueller, tenor
Paul Boyce, bass
Continuo:
Derek Tam, harpsichord
Frédéric Rosselet, cello
Music by Bach, Purcell, and others.
Register here
Romantic Ballet: The Dawn of Classical Ballet [PAST EVENT]
A Community Music and Dance Event!
with Claudia Bauer, Christopher Lam and Lisa Grodin
Sunday, September 29, 2019
1:30PM–5:30PM
ODC Dance Commons, 351 Shotwell Street, San Francisco
Tickets $60
The Romantic era was the dawn of ballet as we know it, with steps and technique that are different from ours in many ways, but are equally complex, rigorous and expressive. In this workshop we’ll do a 90-minute technique class composed of barre and center exercises described in the technical manuals of the 1820s-1850s – the same exercises done by dancers like Marie Taglioni and Carlotta Grisi, Jules Perrot and Arthur St. Leon – followed by two hours of choreography (including the iconic fluffy white tutus). Violinist Lisa Grodin of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale will accompany us and talk about the instruments and music of the time. Throughout the workshop, we’ll explore how music and dance – and musician and dancers – interact with each other.
This material corresponds to an intermediate class but is adaptable to all levels, and no experience is required. Dancers wore soft slippers at the time, so ballet slippers, dance sneakers, socks or jazz shoes are great. If you want to wear pointe shoes, we recommend wearing a dead or very broken-in pair; pointe shoes in the 1830s were essentially darned soft slippers, and dancers of the era spent minimal time on actual pointe and lots of time on demi.
Stay tuned for news of the next dance and music event!
Questions? Email PBO’s Director of Education Lisa Grodin (lgrodin@philharmonia.org)
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Claudia Bauer grew up dancing and watching ballet in the Bay Area. In 2012 she began studying historical ballet and Baroque and Renaissance dance, and she currently studies Romantic-era ballet with Sandra Noll Hammond. As a professional dance writer and critic, Claudia is a regular contributor to the San Francisco Chronicle, Dance Magazine, Pointe Magazine, DanceTabs.com, In Dance and other publications.
Christopher Lam was born in Brisbane, Australia. A recipient of the prestigious Graeme Murphy scholarship he trained with Betsy Sawyers before studying at the Australian Ballet School. Christopher has danced with Australian Ballet, Geneva Ballet, Gothenburg Ballet, Croatian National Ballet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. He enjoys sharing the knowledge acquired on this wonderful journey and is inspired by all those who allow themselves to be touched by the art form.
Lisa Grodin is Director of Education for Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale, and as a violinist and violist she regularly performs with PBO, Voices of Music, American Bach Soloists, and El Mundo. Her lifelong passion for dance has infused many of her educational endeavors over the years; she has been honored to collaborate in education events with dancer-scholars such as Catherine Turocy, Jen Meller, Carlos Venturo, Chris Lam, and Claudia Bauer.
Community Music Day [PAST EVENT]
When: 10:30am-1:30pm (full event goes to 3pm) Sunday, 10/20/19
Where: Crowden Music Center, Berkeley
Lisa Grodin, violin, and Kristin Zoernig, bass, will perform a mini-concert at 12:45pm in the auditorium, followed by PBO’s popular composition activity “PBO’s Music, By Kids, for Kids” in the school’s library.
Free event open to public, no registration required.
For more info: https://www.crowden.org/concerts-and-events/community-music-day
Play and Dance to Bach [PAST EVENT]
When: 1pm-3:15pm, Saturday 1/11/20
Where: Crowden Music Center, Berkeley
Don’t miss this upcoming free Community Workshop, a collaboration between PBO and the Junior Bach Festival Association!
Schedule
1pm-1:15pm
Professional Baroque Dance Demonstration by Jennifer Meller and musicians from Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
1:15pm-2:15pm
Baroque Dance Class led by Jennifer Meller, with music performed by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. (No prior dance experience is required to take this free class. Wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes.)
2:15pm-2:30pm
Minuet in G Informal Community Performance (for string or wind players at modern pitch and all dance class participants).
This famous minuet, BWV Anh 114, was included in the 1725 Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach. It is labelled “Minuet 3” in Suzuki Book 1.
*The manuscript for the Minuet in G (attributed to J.S. Bach’s contemporary, Christian Petzold) may be viewed on page 50 HERE.
*A version in modern notation and transcriptions for other instruments may be found HERE.
*You may listen to a recording featuring a harpsichord on YouTube HERE.
2:30pm-3:15pm
Baroque Instrument “Tryathon,” with musicians from Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. Violinists, violists, cellists, and harpsichordists may sign up on a first come, first served basis for an opportunity to try a baroque instrument by emailing juniorbachmusicdirector@gmail.com. Internationally respected bowmaker Ralph Ashmead will also be showing off his latest “crop” of gorgeous baroque bows during the session!
Free event open to the public, no registration required.
PBO at Jewbilee [PAST EVENT]
When: 1:30pm-3:50pm, Sunday 1/26/20
Where: JCCLosGatos, Los Gatos
Time: 1:30-2:30pm
International Jewish Stories and Music with Joel Ben Izzy and musicians from PBO
In a program specifically designed for the “Jewbilee,” Joel and musicians from PBO present a panoply of stories and historic music celebrating the rich humor of diverse communities across our planet.
Musicians:
Lisa Grodin, baroque violin
Farley Pearce, baroque cello
Peter Maund, percussion
Time: 3-3:50pm
PBO’s Music, By Kids, for Kids
It is exciting to create and share music! Kids create their own compositions by drawing notes (or squiggles) or by applying stickers to music manuscript paper cards. Then the PBO musician performs the composition for them. Young composers may like to hear different versions of their piece (fast and loud, slow and soft, etc.). They may keep their composition as a souvenir. The activity is appropriate for kids of all ages; toddlers and babies are welcome to participate with an adult caregiver. Cellist Farley Pearce will be happy to demonstrate his baroque cello and to play tunes (or imitate animal sounds!) by request.
Musician:
Farley Pearce, cello
Time: 3-3:50pm
Baroque violinist Lisa Grodin and percussionist Peter Maund will demonstrate their rare instruments and share their personal stories about the ways in which their background or Jewish affiliation has influenced their music.
Musicians:
Lisa Grodin, baroque violin
Peter Maund, percussion
For complete schedule, see apjcc.org/jewbilee
For more information, contact cjll@apjcc.org
French Baroque Music and Dance Workshop with Live Music [PAST EVENT]
When: 8pm-10pm Monday, 12/2/19
Where: UC Berkeley’s Hertz Hall
A French Baroque Music and Dance Workshop featuring:
- Baroque dance specialist Jennifer Meller
- Musicians from Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale
- University Baroque Ensemble, Co-Directed by Carla Moore and Katherine Heater
- Music from the opera “Armide,” a masterpiece composed by Jean Baptiste Lully
KDFC Kids Discovery Day [PAST EVENT]
When: All day, Sunday 2/23/20
Where: The Tech Interactive, San Jose
Lisa Grodin, violin, and Kristin Zoernig, bass, will perform a mini-concert in the auditorium at 10:30am, followed by PBO’s popular composition activity “PBO’s Music, by Kids, for Kids” in the museum.
A Journey Around the World in Stories and Music [PAST EVENT]
When: 1pm-2:30pm Tuesday, 2/25/20
Where: Oshman JCC, Palo Alto
Why settle for a winter “staycation” when you can journey around the world? Storyteller Joel Ben Izzy and musicians from Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra return to the Palo Alto JCC by popular demand, offering a program of stories and music that will carry you from the marketplace in Old City of Jerusalem to a Turkish bathhouse in Istanbul, from a shul in old Krackow to the southernmost pub in Ireland – and places far beyond.
Performers:
Joel Ben Izzy, storyteller
Lisa Grodin, violin
Paul Hale, cello
Peter Maund, percussion
Open to public, no registration required. Admission $15 at the door or one punch on the Community Tuesdays punch card.
For more info: https://www.paloaltojcc.org/Events/a-journey-around-the-world-in-stories-and-music
From Baroque to Romantic: The Material Culture of Dance and Music [PAST EVENT]
When: 2pm-3:30pm Saturday, 3/7/20
Where: Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles, Berkeley
In this lecture demonstration we’ll examine how changes in material culture and societal values influenced popular performing arts in Europe between 1745 and 1845, a period that perfectly spans the two closing events of PBO’s season – the Romantic Reflections concerts in March and Leclair’s Baroque opera Scylla et Glaucus in April. Lacis Museum of Textiles is the ideal venue in which to explore the period’s innovations in fashion (including fabric weaving and corsetry) and instrument design. There will be ample time for questions, answers, and informal discussion. We’ll wrap up by donning Romantic-style tutus and by learning a very simple “reverence” dance sequence accompanied by a solo violin, in the tradition of the time. No prior dance experience is required, and observers are welcome.
Lisa Grodin, baroque violin
Claudia Bauer, dance writer
Sara McKee, historical costumer
About the Artists
Lisa Grodin enjoys an active career as a violinist, violist and educator. She performs regularly with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Voices of Music, American Bach Soloists and El Mundo, and she is Director of Education for Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. Her lifelong passion for dance has inspired numerous educational events in collaboration with dancer-scholars such as Catherine Turocy, Jennifer Meller, Carlos Venturo, Christopher Lam, and Claudia Bauer.
Claudia Bauer grew up dancing and watching ballet in the Bay Area. In 2012 she began studying historical ballet and Baroque and Renaissance dance, and she currently studies Romantic-era ballet with Sandra Noll Hammond. As a professional dance writer and critic, Claudia’s writing has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Dance Magazine, Pointe Magazine, San Francisco Classical Voice, DanceTabs.com and other publications.
Sara McKee holds a master’s degree in fine and decorative art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London. Her thesis on 16th-century portrait miniatures was among the first to discuss Nicholas Hilliard as Britain’s first artist, as well as his relation to clothing of the time. As a historical costumer she specializes in the late 18th through early 20th centuries, and has a special love for ballet costumes of the early 19th century. She is known online as La Dauphine, with a thriving platform to encourage sewing and craft.
Dance and Music Workshop: The Dawn of Classical Ballet [POSTPONED]
with Dancer and Dance Historian Claudia Bauer and PBO violinist Lisa Grodin
When: 1:30pm-4:30pm Sunday, 11/3/19
Where: Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, Berkeley
The 19th century was the dawn of ballet as we know it today, married to the music of the time. Like musicians, ballet dancers were professionals who trained from childhood to master a classical technique that was in every way as complex, challenging and expressive as modern technique.
In this workshop, violinist Lisa Grodin of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra will accompany the dance and talk about the instruments and music of the time. Throughout the workshop, we’ll explore how music and dance – and musician and dancers – interact with each other.
This material corresponds to an intermediate class but is adaptable to all levels, and no experience is required. Dancers wore soft slippers at the time, so ballet slippers, dance sneakers, socks or jazz shoes are great. Observers are welcome.
We’ll do a barre and center based on music and exercises from treatises of the 1820s and 1830s. Then we’ll learn the charming petit allegro “Petit pas pour la Princesse Catherine,” created by Michel Saint-Léon for 9-year-old Princess Catherine of Württemburg in 1830.
The material corresponds to an intermediate-level class, but no experience is required. Ballet slippers, dance sneakers, socks or jazz shoes are all great.
$25/general
$15/students
$15/observers
Questions? Contact PBO Director of Education Lisa Grodin (lgrodin@philharmonia.org)
Bach Behind Bars: How Music is Stolen and Re-Purposed [POSTPONED]
When: 1pm-2:30pm Tuesday, 4/21/2020
Where: Oshman Jewish Community Center, Palo Alto
In this lecture/demonstration, percussionist Allen Biggs shows how musicians “steal” from each other. For example, he will take music written during the Baroque period and play it on instruments which did not exist at that time!
You get to be the judge of whether this “stealing” is musically valid, and the audience can vote on whether they want to hear more. Special techniques will be demonstrated, including using a bow… on a music stand. The lecture will connect musical experimentation with the striving of composers, from the Baroque period to the present time, to create new sounds. For example, Beethoven and Schubert expanded the orchestral palette from the world of Mozart, and this expansion continues to this day, requiring musicians to use new techniques.
About the Artist
Allen Biggs is an active timpanist and percussionist in the San Francisco Bay Area. He performs with Philharmoia Baroque Orchestra and with the Berkeley, California, Marin, Oakland and Santa Rosa Symphonies. A recording he made with the group Chanticleer won two Grammy awards. He has performed at the Bear Valley, Cabrillo, Mendocino and Sun Valley music festivals. An avid educator, Allen teaches at San Francisco State University. He does outreach in the community by visiting schools in Sonoma, Contra Costa County and other Bay Area locations.
Open to public, no registration required. Admission $15 at the door or one punch on the Community Tuesdays punch card.
For more info: https://www.paloaltojcc.org/Events/bach-behind-bars-how-music-is-stolen-and-re-purposed
Boccherini Meets Zappa
