A Selective Guide to the Arts in Los Angeles

Two outstanding clarinetists are in concert this weekend: noted young Spanish virtuoso Jose Franch-Ballester is performing with Camerata Pacifica, and well-known local artist Margaret Thornhill is in concert with cellist Roger Lebow and pianist Twyla Meyer in Pasadena playing works that span 200 years of clarinet trio repertoire.

Two extraordinary Baroque events are on stage at the Getty and at UCLA this week.  At Schoenberg Hall on the UCLA Campus is the West Coast premiere of the 17th century’s most popular opera, “Giasone” (1649), composed by Francisco Cavalli on a libretto by Giacinto Andrea Cicognini, with a new critical edition by Ellen Rosand.  The Getty Series will present an evening of music from Rembrandt’s Amsterdam, an extraordinary multisensory experience with music of the era accompanied by an exhibition as only the Getty can offer.

Gordon Getty Concert – Repast

Founded in New York City, the Repast ensemble was a finalist in the Early Music America/Naxos Recording Competition in 2003, and since then the group has performed at major Early Music events throughout the continent.  Southern California Early Music fans may recognize harpsichordist Avi Stein of the La Monica ensemble, now based in the Bay Area.

Violinist Claire Jolivet and soprano Nell Snaidas join Repast for this concert.  The New York Times lauded Jolivet for her “impeccable, thoughtfully shaped, dramatically taut” playing. Snaidas is described as possessing “luminous timbre and emotional intensity” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

A most intriguing aspect of these Getty concerts is the art exhibitions they complement.  In this instance, there is an exhibition of drawings by Rembrandt and his pupils, “Telling the Difference,” on view at the Getty Center through Sunday, Feb. 28.  The Museum galleries are open until 9 p.m. and parking is free after 5 p.m., creating a special opportunity to watch the sunset (5:23), dine, view fine art, and
experience a transcendent musical performance.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Harold M. Williams Auditorium, The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, LA

Tickets: $20 / $15 students and seniors. To reserve tickets, call
(310) 440-7300.

Special note: the Getty is offering Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter readers a two-for-the-price-of-one ticket offer. Call the number above and mention the offer when placing your order.

First United Methodist Church of Pasadena Music Guild

Well-known clarinetist Margaret Thornhill joins cellist Roger Lebow and pianist Twyla Meyer in Pasadena to offer a selection of trios spanning 200 years of clarinet trio repertoire.  The program includes Alexander von Zemlinsky’s Trio in D Minor, Op.3 (1896), Beethoven’s Trio in B-flat Major, Op.11 (1797), and Daniel Schnyder’s  “A Friday Night in August” (1996).

The concert is free, although a goodwill offering would be nice, and you can meet Margaret, Roger, and Twyla at the reception that will follow.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m.
First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena

Tickets: Freewill offering. For information, call (626) 797-0157.

Opera UCLA and UCLA Philharmonia

Don’t miss this West Coast premiere of the 17th century’s most popular opera, “Giasone” (1649), composed by Francesco Cavalli on a libretto by Giacinto Andrea Cicognini, with a new critical edition by Ellen Rosand. Giasone is a decidedly unusual take on the Jason and Medea story.

Friday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb.  7, 8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m.

Schoenberg Hall, UCLA
Park in P2 ($10).

Reserved seating: $20 / $10 UCLA faculty and staff / $5 students. For
information, call (310) 825-4761.

Camerata Pacifica

Jose Franch-Ballester

Santa Barbara’s distinguished Camerata Pacifica is back in town this week at its usual sites – the Huntington and Zipper Hall. The program is interesting; it opens with the string trio of Catherine Leonard (violin), Richard Yongjae O’Neill (viola), and Ani Aznavoorian (cello) performing Mozart’s Divertimento in E-flat Major, K563.  Pianist Warren Jones will perform Brahms’ Three Intermezzi, Op.117, and then will join with clarinetist Jose Franch-Ballester, recipient of the 2010 MIDEM Classique Outstanding Young Artist Award, to perform Brahms’ Sonata in F Minor for clarinet and piano, Op.120, No.1.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m.
Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino

Thursday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m.
Zipper Concert Hall, The Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., LA

Tickets:  $42