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
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.
March 14, 2020, 8:00PM, CANCELLED
L.A. Camerata The Rape Kit featuring poet Terri Witek
with readings and historically informed musical performances
"The Rape Kit," featuring author and Slope Editions Prize award-winning Terri Witek, will juxtapose new poetry with historically informed musical performances to depict centuries of movement through a culture that creates and sustains "ordinary violence."
Terri Witek (author & performer), Corryn Cummins (actor), Amy K. Harmon (actor), Donnie Smith (actor), Ariel Pisturino (voice), Sarah Reynolds (voice), Joo Lee (baroque violin), Farrah O’Shea (baroque violin), Evan Hesketh (baroque viola), Marylin Winkle (viola da gamba & baroque cello), & Emilio Cuenca (harpsichord). Co-Directors.
Free, thanks to generous contributions from community partners, and donations will be accepted in advance and at the door.
More info: https://www.losangelescamerata.org/seasonevents
Art Share L.A. Gallery, 801 E. 4th Place
Sunday, March 15, 4 p.m. (repeats Sunday, March 8 in Claremont) CANCELLED
Jouyssance Early Music Ensemble : A Pilgrimage in Song-Canterbury Tales on the Road
See March 8 listing for concert info, FREE
St. James Presbyterian Church 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana
More info: Joussance.org
Sunday March 15th, 4:00pm (repeats Sunday March 1st in West LA) CANCELLED
The Broadwood Broads: Quiet PLEASE!!
Thursday March 19–Wednesday, March 25, various locations and times. Events are listed here in chronological order
CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS
Bach in the Subways 2020
For J.S. Bach’s 335th birthday on March 21 musicians around the world will unite to perform free Bach in subways & public spaces, all day & all night, to share our love for our art form and sow the seeds for future generations of classical music lovers. Musicians, organizers, and everyone else who wishes to spread the joy of Bach are invited to join us! Solos, ensembles, flashmobs and Bach marathons are all encouraged. Join us as we fill the world with Bach!
For more information visit bachinthesubways.org
March 22, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Jazz Guitar Bach
Duet of Jazz guitar and electric bass, plays many of the 15 two part inventions plus some minuetes and gavottes
Montrose Farmers Market. 2323 Honolulu Ave. in front of the B of A. Park on Broadview Ave. below the bank.
March 22, 2020 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Cantabile String Ensemble
PROGRAM: Brandenburg 3, Selections from the Sinfonias and Musical Offering, Double Violin Concerto, Suite #3
Glendale metro station 400 W Cerritos Ave, Glendale, CA, USA
March 22, 2020 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Suzuki Music Program of Los Angeles
Guitar and violin PROGRAM Double Violin Concerto in D minor, Now Let Us To The Bag Pipes Sound, Musette, Minuet, Gavotte in G minor.…
14201 Huston Street, Sherman Oaks, CA, USA
March 24, 2020 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
CSU-Long Beach Collegium Musicum
Bach/Varge Saraband and Bourree for cello ensemble, Harpsichord Concerto in D (BWV 1054) (Arvin-Ur Gantumur, harpsichord), Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (BWV 1048), Orchestral Suite No. 1 (BWV 1066), Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (Cole Perez, violin; Elvin Schlanger and Grace Sledd, flutes)
The Collegium Musicum is the early music student performance ensemble of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University-Long Beach
Gerald R. Daniel Recital Hall, N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, USA
Daniel Recital Hall: Enter campus near 6340 E Atherton St., Long Beach, CA 90815
March 25, 2020. 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
David Garrett, cello
Suites for Solo Cello numbers 4, 5, and 6, plus the Bach/Varga Chaconne for cello quartet.
David Garrett is a cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a faculty member at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU-LB. This concert surveys the second half of Bach’s Suites for solo cello and also includes Laszlo Varga’s transcription for cello quartet of the Bach Chaconne. For the Chaconne, Garrett is joined by Jisun Jung, Annamarie Kasper, and Yosef Feinberg.
Gerald R. Daniel Recital Hall, N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, USA
Daniel Recital Hall: Use campus entrance near 6340 E Atherton St., Long Beach, CA 90815
http://web.csulb.edu/depts/music/areas/string-studies/david-garrett.php
[return to chronological Calendar]
March 21st, 2020, at 8:00 PM. CANCELLED/POSTPONED tbd
LA Bach: celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach’s 335th birthday
LA Bach draws upon the wealth of professional Baroque musicians in the Los Angeles area to present compelling performances of music by J.S. Bach and his contemporaries.
Program: Bach’s best-loved sacred cantatas, Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (BWV 106) and Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 140); another ravishing sacred aria, Vergnügte Ruh (BWV 170); and virtuosic solo works for violin and organ.
Founder Stephen Hammer has been the long-time principal oboist of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society and the Bach Ensemble (Joshua Rifkin, director). He performs with the American Bach Soloists, the Washington Bach Consort, Tesserae, and Musica Angelica; and is artistic director of the Blue Hill Bach festival in Maine. He has made more than 200 recordings of early music.
Andrea Zomorodian soprano; Bradley Sharpe alto; Daniel Coy Babcock tenor; John Buffett bass; YuEun Kim & Ken Aiso violins; Andrew Justice viola; Leif Woodward cello & viola da gamba; Josh Lee violone & viola da gamba; Alexandra Opsahl recorder & cornetto; Stephen Hammer recorder, oboe & oboe d’amore; Claire Brazeau oboe; Lot Demeyer tenor oboe; Ian Pritchard & Jeffrey Parola organ
FREE;reception generously provided by the congregation of St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church7501 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
More information http://labach.org
March 25 12:00 NOON
Bach Collegium San Diego BACH AT NOON CONCERTS: ACTUS TRAGICUS. CANCELLED
François Couperin: Deuxième Leçon de ténèbres
J.S. Bach: Cantata: Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit BWV 106
All Souls' Episcopal Church in Point Loma.
Friday, March 27th to Sunday, March 29 see individual listings below. CANCELLED
Musica Angelica baroque Orchestra: Southern California Bach Festival
Friday, March 27th 8:00-9:15 PM
Musica Angelica baroque Orchestra: Bach Suite and Concerti
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
Saturday, March 28th 2:00-3:15 P
Musica Angelica baroque Orchestra: Virtuoso Bach
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
Saturday, March 28th 5:00 PM (repeats Sunday, March 29th)
Musica Angelica baroque Orchestra: St Matthew Passion
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, March 29th 2:00 PM (repeats Saturday, March 28th)
Musica Angelica baroque Orchestra: St Matthew Passion
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
[return to chronological Calendar]
Saturday March on 28 at 7:30 p.m (repeats March 29 in Altadena) CANCELLED/POSTPONED tbd
Pasadena Master Chorale : Josquin, Pange Lingua Mass
Presented to you on a Listen First, Then Give basis. At the end of the concert, make a donation, as you are moved, as you are able.
Be sure to reserve your seat early, as seating is limited.
To RSVP
St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 151 South Hill Ave, South Pasadena, 91106.
More info https://www.pasadenamasterchorale.org
Sunday March on 29 at 4:00 p.m. (repeats March 28 in South Pasedena) CANCELLED/POSTPONED tbd
Pasadena Master Chorale : Josquin, Pange Lingua Mass
See March 28 listing for info
This benefit performance will be presented in one of our favorite acoustic spaces, the intimate and reverberant Altadena Community Church.
Tickets $25. Seating is limited, so be sure to purchase your tickets early. This is expected to sell out!
Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena 91001
More info https://www.pasadenamasterchorale.org
April 2020
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Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 11 AM – 4 PM CANCELLED
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Wessex Consort and the Guild of St GeorgeL Shakespeare Day at the Huntington
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Performing in the Shakespeare Garden, these costumed performers provide song, dance, and instrumental music.
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Sunday April 5, 3:00 p.m. CANCELLED
Con Gioia Early Music Ensemble: Inspired by Goethe
A concert of German Lieder to honor the late Edith Potter, founding Board member of Con Gioia and Prof. emerita of German, Scripps College, on the 100th anniversary of her birth. Lieder on texts by the great German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832). Music for voices and fortepiano by Goethe’s close friends and contemporaries: Carl Friedrich Zelter, Johann Friedrich Reichardt, Duchess Anna Amalia of Saxe-Weimar, Mozart, Bettine von Arnim, Beethoven, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel,
Felix Mendelssohn, and Franz Schubert.
Janelle DeStefano, mezzo-soprano; Nate Widelitz, tenor; John Buffett, baritone; Preethi de Silva, fortepiano; Roswitha Burwick, narrator
Admission free (doors open at 2:30 p.m.)
Balch Auditorium Scripps College 1030 Columbia Avenue Claremont, CA 91711
For further information see www.congioia.org or call (909) 624-0638
Wednesday, April 8, 8:00 pm
Boston Baroque
Soprano Yulia Van Doren, who’s carved out an impressive niche for herself on the early-music scene, teams up with the country’s oldest and most respected period-instrument orchestra for a blockbuster performance of music popular in the 1700s. Stay tuned for the finale, featuring Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, composed for a massive British celebration in 1749, at which said pyrotechnic display accidentally set the concert pavilion — and a woman’s clothes — ablaze.
Program
CORELLI Concerto Grosso in F, Op. 6, No. 6
VIVALDI Nulla in mundo pax sincera
BACH Concerto for Three Violins in D major, BWV 1064R
RAMEAU Suite from Platée
BACH Orchestral Suite No. 4, BWV 1069
Tickets $32 - $51
Walt Disney Concert Hall at 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
More info
Friday, April 17 1:00 pm
USC Musicology Forum: Una voce poco fauntil the performance!
Part of the Musicology Forum Lecture series, professor Cathy Ann Elias of De Paul University discusses madrigals by little-known composers from southern Italy, Una voce poco fa—until the performance! Restoring the madrigals of Pietro Havente and Don Salvadore di Cataldo.
FREE
Doheny Memorial Library (DML)
More info:
Saturday, April 18 7:30 pm
USC Collegium Workshop: Italian Madrigals Lost and Found
Adam Gilbert leads the USC Collegium Workshop in madrigals and laudi spirituali from 16th-century Italy, including reconstructions of madrigals with lost and missing voices. FREE
USC Brain and Creativity Institute's Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall (BCI)
More info:
Sat, Apr 18 7:30 PM (repeats Apr 19, 25)
Kontrapunktus presents THE RETURN OF THE BACHS
We return with an encore to our popular 2018 Winter program with a presentation of new masterworks from the master, Johann Sebastian Bach, and his three acclaimed sons-Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel, and Johann Christian Bach.
Dr. Ian Pritchard leads an ensemble comprised of some for finest young classical musicians in the world-many who hail from the prestigious Colburn School.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
more info : www.kontrapunktus.com
Sun, Apr 19 3PM(repeats Apr 18, 25)
Kontrapunktus presents THE RETURN OF THE BACHS
see Apr 18 listing
Cal Heights United Methodist Church
more info : www.kontrapunktus.com
Wednesday, April 22, 8:00 pm (repeats April 24, 26)
USC Thornton Opera and USC Thornton Symphony: Francesco Cavalli's La Calisto
The USC Thornton Opera, in collaboration with the USC Thornton Symphony, presents 17th century gem La Calisto. With a libretto by Cavalli and Giovanni Faustini, La Calisto is a combination of two myths from Ovid: Jupiter's seduction of Calisto, and Diana's adventure with Endymion.
USC Bing Theatre (BIT)
More info:
Friday, April 24, 8:00 pm (repeats April 22, 26)
USC Thornton Opera and USC Thornton Symphony: Francesco Cavalli's La Calisto
See April 22 listing for info
Sat, Apr 25 7:30pm (repeats Apr 18, 19)
Kontrapunktus presents THE RETURN OF THE BACHS
see Apr 18 listing
Culver City Seventh-day Adventist Church
more info : www.kontrapunktus.com
Sunday, April 26, 2:00 pm (repeats April 22, 24)
USC Thornton Opera and USC Thornton Symphony: Francesco Cavalli's La Calisto
See April 22 listing for info
Wednesday, April 29, 8:00pm (repeats Sunday May 3, 2020 - 7:30PM in Los Angeles)
Les Violons Du Roy with Avi Avital Mandolin : Works by Bach and Vivaldi
Avi Avital, whose astonishing virtuosity has established him as a star on the international classical music scene and a driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin repertory, joins Les Violons du Roy in works by Bach and Vivaldi.
Jonathan Cohen, conductor. Blistering Baroque artistry from mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital and the Canadian ensemble.
Program:
VIVALDI Mandolin Concerto in C, RV 425
BACH Excerpts from The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080
BACH Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (arr. for solo mandolin by Avi Avital)
VIVALDI Lute Concerto in D, RV 93 (arr. for solo mandolin by Avi Avital)
VIVALDI Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV 531
BACH Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052 (arr. and transcr. for solo mandolin by Avi Avital)
Tickets: $28-$268.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa.
information call (949) 553-2422 or visit