Early Music Around Town
A timely shortlist of local early music concerts and events.
To view the entire season of concerts and events, consult the current Master Calendar.
Please note that SCEMS does not present or sponsor concerts.
The listings below include early music related concerts and events offered by organizations throughout the Southern California area. Readers are advised to call ahead to verify events, times, and ticket availability, which are subject to change.
Master Calendars
Credit: Renaissance minstrels in Augsburg (1520). iStock.com/© gameover2012
January 2020
Thursday, January 16, at 8:00pm (repeats January 17, at 8:00pm)
Los Angeles Philharmonic and Emmanuelle Haïm, conductor: Bach, Handel, and Telemann
Vibrant French conductor Emmanuelle Haïm – highly acclaimed as a performer and champion of the Baroque – collaborates with our Principal Concertmaster for two concertos, followed by Handel’s ambitious cantata, written before he moved to London. Emmanuelle Haïm, conductor ; Martin Chalifour, violin ; Sandrine Piau, soprano; Jarrett Ott, baritone
Program: BACH Violin Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056R ; TELEMANN Violin Concerto in A, “The Frogs,” TWV 51:A4 ; HANDEL Apollo and Daphne
Tickets $20-$188
Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Thursday, January 16, 7:30 pm, First Presbyterian of Santa Monica
(repeats January 17, 2020, 7:30 pm, San Marino (Pasadena area))
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra - Baroque Conversations 2 :“Baroque Brass III”
Michael Thornton, co-leader and horn
David Washburn, co-leader and trumpet
PROGRAM: BACH Fugue in B minor; VIVALDI Concerto in F major ; HANDEL Eternal Souce of Light Divine “Va tacito” from Julius Caesar; PURCELL “Sound the Trumpet” from Come ye Sons of Art,; MOLTER Symphony in C major; A. GABRIELI Ricercar del duodecimo tuono; A. SCARLATTI Mio tesoro per te moro
Tickets start at $52. For information about the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2019-20 season or to order tickets, please call 213 622 7001, or visit www.laco.org
First Presbyterian of Santa Monica 1220 2nd St Santa Monica, CA 90401
Friday, January 17, at 8:00pm (repeats January 16, 2020)
Los Angeles Philharmonic and Emmanuelle Haïm, conductor: Bach, Handel, and Telemann
See Jan 16 for info
Tickets $20-$188
Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Friday, January 17, 7:30 pm, The Huntington
(repeats Thursday, January 16, 7:30 pm, Santa Monica)
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra - Baroque Conversations 2 :“Baroque Brass III”
See Jan 16 for concert info
Tickets start at $52. For information about the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2019-20 season or to order tickets, please call 213 622 7001, or visit www.laco.org
The Huntington 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108
Tuesday January 28 (repeats Thursday January 30 )
Los Angeles String Quartet in Candellight: Vivaldi
Program: "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi; Plus more yet to be announced!
What it's all about
Whether you’re looking for a beautifully unique classical music performance or a romantic candlelit experience, this Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performance is for you. You don’t need to know all things Vivaldi to enjoy the evening, simply sit back and savor the stunning atmosphere and pieces you’ll hear. Walk into one of Los Angeles’s historical buildings where the walls will be flickering by candlelight to create a magical atmosphere. Prepare to be taken into the clouds with Vivaldi’s most treasured masterpieces!
A very intimate atmosphere will be created, as there will be candles that will illuminate the room
Calm your mind and experience classical music in a new light with these sensational concerts by candlelight in some of Los Angeles’ most beautiful churches. Simply known as Candlelight, this event invites everyone to relive the greatest works of classical music, from Vivaldi to Mozart to Bach, in an intimate atmosphere. And after having enormous success around the world—in cities like London, Manchester, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, and NYC — this Fever Original has finally made its way to the West Coast!
Duration: 60 minutes. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time
Tickets: $30-$45
Immanuel Presbyterian Cathedral 3300 Wilshire Blvd, 90010
Info
Wednesday January 29 12:00 NOON
Bach Collegium San Diego BACH AT NOON CONCERTS: LACHRYMÆ
Benjamin Britten: Lachrymae: Reflections on a song of Dowland Op. 48
Including airs and songs by John Dowland, John Coperario,
Thomas Campion, and Henry Purcell
All Souls' Episcopal Church in Point Loma.
Thursday January 30 (repeats Tuesday January 28)
Los Angeles String Quartet in Candellight: Vivaldi
Program: "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi; Plus more yet to be announced!
see Jan 28 listing for info
Tickets: $30-$45
Immanuel Presbyterian Cathedral 3300 Wilshire Blvd, 90010
Info :
February 2020
Saturday, February 1, 8:00pm
LA Camerata: Le Roman de Jeanne d'Arc (The Romance of Joan of Arc)
Christine de Pizan’s Song of Joan of Arc was written in 1429, at the height of Joan’s heroism, one year before her capture and two years before her execution. Christine, who also famously authored the Book of the City of Ladies, also passed away around this time. In the centennial year of Joan’s canonization, we will stage this text alongside French music from the period, striving to depict the virtues and pitfalls of Joan’s many complicated loves: of self, king, country, and God.
FEATURING: Corryn Cummins (actor), Amy K. Harmon (actor), Donnie Smith (actor), Marisa De Silva (voice), Rachelle Romero (voice & harp), Ariana Davis (voice), Tamzin Elliott (harp), Marylin Winkle (vielle), Erin Young (lute)
FREE ADMISSION (Donations kindly accepted) thanks to generous contributions from community partners.
UCLA Powell Library Rotunda
Parking: closest is Attendant-paid $10-$12 in Lot 5 off Sunset at Royce Dr; Self-parking ($6 for 2 hours) in Structure 4 off Sunset at Westwood Plz. and Structure 2 off Hilgard
Info:
Friday, February 7th 8:00 PM (repeats Saturday, February 8t in LA)
Musica Angelica baroque Orchestra: 24 Hours in Versailles
Beverly O'Neill Theater Long Beach Beverly O’Neill Theater 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
More info:
Director Martin Haselbock introduces the entire 2019-2020 season:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXaR8T2lm_o&feature=youtu.be
Saturday, February 8th 3:00 PM (repeats Friday, February 7th in Long Beach)
Musica Angelica baroque Orchestra: 24 Hours in Versailles
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles 540 S. Commonwealth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020 Located on the corner of 6th and Commonwealth
More info:
Director Martin Haselbock introduces the entire 2019-2020 season:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXaR8T2lm_o&feature=youtu.be
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 3:00pm
Daniil Trifonov, piano : works by Bach
Combining consummate technique with rare sensitivity and depth, Daniil Trifonov’s performances are a perpetual source of awe. He has been declared, “without question the most astounding pianist of our age.” Join him as he plays through a program of baroque classics by Bach. Tickets: $45-$85.
Soka Performing Arts Center at 1 University Cir, Aliso Viejo.
information call (949) 553-2422 or visit
Friday, February 14th, 8 pm
priSM: The Pomona College ConCerT (discussed in a feature article in SCEMS Early Music News newsletter available at
artistic co-deiectors Donna M. Di Grazia, Adrien Redford, present an hour-long program that includes sacred and secular music from sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England and Italy, pieces by Vaughan Williams and Elgar, and selections of early Americana: (Program subject to change)
Thomas Tallis: Loquebantur variis linguis
John Taverner: Agnus Dei from Missa Corona spinea
Tomás Luis de Victoria: Kyrie fromMissa pro victoria
Orlando di Lasso: Tutto lo dì
Carlo Gesualdo: Dolcissima mia vita Giaches de Wert: Giunto alla tomba Ralph Vaughan Williams: Three Shakespeare Songs
Jeremiah Ingalls: Northfield
Walker/Hauser: Invitation (new)
Oliver Holden: Cowper
William Billings: When Jesus wept
William Batchelder Bradbury: Angel Band Luca Marenzio: A la strada
Thomas Morley: Fyre! Fyre!
Jacob Arcadelt: Il bianco e dolce cigno Thomas Weelkes: Hark! All ye lovely saints above
Orlando di Lasso: Allala pia calia Thomas Weelkes: Gloria in excelsis Deo Elgar/Cameron: Lux aeterna
Bridges Hall of Music, Pomona College (150 E. Fourth Street, Claremont, CA).
More info: prismensemble.org
E-mail PRISM at
Friday, February 21, 7:30PM (repeats Saturday, February 22, 2020 7:30PM )
Bach Collegium San Diego : THE PLEASURES OF VERSAILLES
The Music of Charpentier, Sainte-Colombe, François Couperin, Lambert, and Rameau.
All Souls’ Episcopal Church, Point Loma
More info:
Saturday, February 22, 7:30PM (repeats Friday, February 21, 2020 7:30PM)
Bach Collegium San Diego : THE PLEASURES OF VERSAILLES
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Cardiff
More info:
Sunday February 23, 5:00pm
Tesserae: The Legend of Zelenka
During the Baroque, Dresden was one of the richest cultural centers of Europe. The Dresden court employed some of the finest musicians in Europe, and its musical activities attracted interest from across Europe, including that of Johann Sebastian Bach. Tesserae presents a program of chamber music written by and for these famed virtuosos, including music by Zelenka, Fasch, Veracini, Heinichen, Goldberg, Pisendel, and Hasse.
Tickets are $10/$25/$30. Purchase your tickets at tesseraebaroque.org
Pompeiian Room, The Doheny Mansion10 Chester Place, Los Angeles, CA 90007
March is Early Music Month! Every Year
Early Music Month is a national, grassroots campaign sponsored by Early Music America and designed to raise awareness of early music each March throughout the North American music community. Early Music Month seeks to connect enthusiasts, performers, presenters, scholars, builders, students, venues, and more to bring early music to its widest audience ever.
Early Music Month Partners are not limited to performers and ensembles. Being a Partner is FREE and open to anyone enthusiastic about raising awareness of the field. When you register, you're simply agreeing to celebrate Early Music Month in whatever way you see fit. Visit our resources page for details on how you can celebrate, and how EMA can celebrate you!
However you choose to celebrate Early Music Month, be sure to share your materials with us so WE can promote YOU and your events. And be sure to use the hashtag #earlymusicmonth to help us find your activities on social media.