PEACH WEEKENDER | MUSIC

Symphony kicks off 2018 with Classics Concert

1/10/2018
BY WAYNE F. ANTHONY
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE
  • 1-11-Urban-bush-women-2-jpg

    The Urban Bush Women will perform 'Hair and Other Stories' at 8 p.m. Friday at the Power Center in Ann Arbor.

  • The Toledo Symphony presents the first Classics Concert of the new year with perennial favorite maestro Giordano Bellincampi on the podium. Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear will be the featured soloist.

    Bellincampi will make several appearances this season as an interim artistic voice while the symphony prepares for the arrival of its new principal conductor, Alain Trudel, this fall.

    Goodyear is a rising young phenom with an impressive list of education credentials including the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Julliard School.

    His list of solo appearances includes the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony.

    This weekend’s program pairs two stalwarts of the orchestral literature. Goodyear solos in Beethoven’s Piano Concert No. 5 “The Emperor” followed by Bellincampi conducting Brahm’s Symphony No. 2 in D minor, op. 73. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Peristyle, Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. Tickets and more information are available at 419-246-8000 or toledosymphony.com.

    ■ The Toledo Opera Association holds its Winter Gala this weekend featuring soprano Kathryn Lewek and tenor Zach Borichevsky. The event is an elegant formal evening of drinks, dining, dancing, and warm cheer, centering around an inspiring performance by the two audience-favorite vocal artists. It begins at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Toledo Club, 235 14th St. For tickets and more information, call 419-255-7464 or visit toledoopera.org.

    ■ The University Musical Society of Ann Arbor hosts two powerhouses. The Urban Bush Women perform Hair and Other Stories. The bold ensemble weaves nonlinear storytelling, contemporary dance, and music with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of African-Americans and the African Diaspora at 8 p.m. Friday at the Power Center, 121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor.

    The St. Lawrence String Quartet plays a Haydn Mega Concert featuring quartets 1-6 beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday at Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor. For tickets and more information, call 734-764-2538 or visit ums.org.

    ■ Toledo Symphony principal trombonist Garth Simmons is joined by UT pianist Michael Boyd in a free recital featuring music of Crespo, Dubois, Smita, and Wharton at 3 p.m. Sunday in Great Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. For more information, call 419-255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org.

    ■ Three free recitals are offered at BGSU. Sigma Alpha Iota presents a winter musical at 6 p.m. Saturday in Choral Rehearsal Hall. Praecepta, the student chapter of the Society of Composers Inc., presents a performance of the group’s new work, 24/24, beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday in Bryan Recital Hall. Violinist Harvey Thurmer promotes new music for the instrument at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Bryan Recital Hall. All events are in Moore Musical Arts Center, Bowling Green State University. For more information, call 419-372-2181 or visit bgsu.edu/musical-arts.

    ■ It’s a week of varied jazz experiences at the Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor.

    Saxophonist Peter Formanek and pianist John Harlow explore free-form improvisation at 8 p.m. Thursday.

    Toledo chanteuse Ramona Collins crafts vocal stylings at 8 p.m. Saturday.

    Saxophonist Doug Horn and his trio present standards from the American Songbook 2 p.m. Sunday. The TMT trio enters the world of avant-jazz 8 p.m. Wednesday.

    For tickets and more information, call 734-769-2999 or visit kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

    ■ The Toledo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents a seminar on organ registration and service playing. The workshop addresses skills and information for new and less-experienced organists as well as a refresher course for veteran players.

    David Saunders will discuss the basics of organ registration followed by guild members Neil Kraft, Sally Mossing, Joan McConnell, Paul Monachino, and Ed Duling each performing three pieces. A wine and cheese reception will follow. The free event is open to all at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front St., Perrysburg. Contact Mark Mathis for more information at mark@cpctoledo.org or 419-475-8629, ext. 205.

    ■ The Good Company Vocal Ensemble is seeking additional singers for its spring season. All voice parts, especially tenors and basses, are welcome. Previous choral experience and music-reading ability are desired. The ensemble sings all types of choral music from classical to Broadway and vocal jazz, both accompanied and a capella. Rehearsals are from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays beginning this week at 3745 Heatherdowns Blvd. Interested vocalists should contact conductor Karen T. Biscay at 419-244-2243 or ktbiscay@hotmail.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodCompanySingers.

    Send news of music items at least two weeks in advance to classics@theblade.com