Upcoming Events

Shostakovich String Quartets: Part 2

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA

SF Performances was an early pioneer of presenting concerts at convenient, nontraditional times in a casual atmosphere that appeals to audiences and fosters a close connection to the artists. The flagship of this trailblazing continues to be the tremendously popular Saturday morning series with the Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg. Together, the five artists and their devoted audiences spend Saturday mornings plumbing the depths of important chamber music composers, their lives and times. The programs feature performances of complete works, preceded by Greenberg’s commentary, which brims with information, personal glimpses of the composers’ lives, and often humorous details.

The musical career of Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) mirrored exactly the rise and history of the Soviet Union from 1917–1975. He entered the Petrograd Conservatory at the very end of the Tsarist era; he witnessed the Revolution and began his career during Lenin’s rule; he was nearly purged twice by Stalin; he flourished under Khrushchev and died while Brezhnev was in power. Shostakovich was a survivor and a great composer, and his fear and self-loathing, his courage and experience found their way into his music. As such, Shostakovich is not just the most important composer of string quartets and symphonies from the 1920s to the 1970s; even more, he and his music stand as witnesses to the rise and failures of the Soviet Union, one of the defining events of the twentieth century. Join us for the first season of a two-season exploration of Shostakovich’s string quartets and chamber works. In these days of resurgent Russian despotism, Shostakovich’s life, experience, and music offer an extraordinary cautionary tale.

PROGRAM:
Quartet No. 13 in B-flat minor, Op. 138
Quartet No. 14 in F-sharp Major, Op. 142

Shostakovich String Quartets: Part 2

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA

SF Performances was an early pioneer of presenting concerts at convenient, nontraditional times in a casual atmosphere that appeals to audiences and fosters a close connection to the artists. The flagship of this trailblazing continues to be the tremendously popular Saturday morning series with the Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg. Together, the five artists and their devoted audiences spend Saturday mornings plumbing the depths of important chamber music composers, their lives and times. The programs feature performances of complete works, preceded by Greenberg’s commentary, which brims with information, personal glimpses of the composers’ lives, and often humorous details.

The musical career of Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) mirrored exactly the rise and history of the Soviet Union from 1917–1975. He entered the Petrograd Conservatory at the very end of the Tsarist era; he witnessed the Revolution and began his career during Lenin’s rule; he was nearly purged twice by Stalin; he flourished under Khrushchev and died while Brezhnev was in power. Shostakovich was a survivor and a great composer, and his fear and self-loathing, his courage and experience found their way into his music. As such, Shostakovich is not just the most important composer of string quartets and symphonies from the 1920s to the 1970s; even more, he and his music stand as witnesses to the rise and failures of the Soviet Union, one of the defining events of the twentieth century. Join us for the first season of a two-season exploration of Shostakovich’s string quartets and chamber works. In these days of resurgent Russian despotism, Shostakovich’s life, experience, and music offer an extraordinary cautionary tale.

PROGRAM:
Quartet No. 15 in E-flat minor, Op. 144
Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147
with Roger Woodward, piano

Brahms and the Schumanns: A Love Triangle for the Ages

Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA

SF Performances was an early pioneer of presenting concerts at convenient, nontraditional times in a casual atmosphere that appeals to audiences and fosters a close connection to the artists. The flagship of this trailblazing continues to be the tremendously popular Saturday morning series with the Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg. Together, the five artists and their devoted audiences spend Saturday mornings plumbing the depths of important chamber music composers, their lives and times. The programs feature performances of complete works, preceded by Greenberg’s commentary, which brims with information, personal glimpses of the composers’ lives, and often humorous details. With Brahms and the Schumanns, the Saturday morning team explore these extraordinary Romantics

PROGRAM:
Schumann, Brahms and the Curse
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Quartet in A minor, Op. 41 No. 1
BRAHMS: Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 51 No.

Brahms and the Schumanns: A Love Triangle for the Ages

Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA

SF Performances was an early pioneer of presenting concerts at convenient, nontraditional times in a casual atmosphere that appeals to audiences and fosters a close connection to the artists. The flagship of this trailblazing continues to be the tremendously popular Saturday morning series with the Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg. Together, the five artists and their devoted audiences spend Saturday mornings plumbing the depths of important chamber music composers, their lives and times. The programs feature performances of complete works, preceded by Greenberg’s commentary, which brims with information, personal glimpses of the composers’ lives, and often humorous details. With Brahms and the Schumanns, the Saturday morning team explore these extraordinary Romantics

PROGRAM:
Johannes and Clara
BRAHMS: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25
Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34
with Gwendolyn Mok, piano

Brahms and the Schumanns: A Love Triangle for the Ages

Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA

SF Performances was an early pioneer of presenting concerts at convenient, nontraditional times in a casual atmosphere that appeals to audiences and fosters a close connection to the artists. The flagship of this trailblazing continues to be the tremendously popular Saturday morning series with the Alexander String Quartet and Robert Greenberg. Together, the five artists and their devoted audiences spend Saturday mornings plumbing the depths of important chamber music composers, their lives and times. The programs feature performances of complete works, preceded by Greenberg’s commentary, which brims with information, personal glimpses of the composers’ lives, and often humorous details. With Brahms and the Schumanns, the Saturday morning team explore these extraordinary Romantics

PROGRAM:
The Triangle
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Quartet in A Major, Op. 41 No. 3
BRAHMS: Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 51 No. 2