Angelique Zuluaga and Gwendolyn Mok: The Poldowski Project

The Poldowski Project
Please come to an evening of songs, poetry and memoires around the life of Poldowski , the pseudonym of Irene Régine Wieniawski.  Also known as Lady Dean Paul, Poldowski was a Belgian-born pianist and composer, also daughter of the famous violinist Henrik Wieniawski. Married to an English lord, she led an extraordinary life filled with tragedy, eccentricity and art, with the prime of her career in London in the 1920’s. Among her surviving works are three dozen songs set to poems by Verlaine, Le Braz, Dominique, Samain and Blake. This evening concert will feature some of her best songs in French and English, as well as readings of her letters and essays on life and music.

Angelique Zuluaga and Gwendolyn Mok: The Poldowski Project at the Maybeck
Sunday, October 26, 2014, 3:00pm
Suggested donation: $20 at the door
Seating is limited. Get your required online reservation here.

Cypress String Quartet Salon Series

The acclaimed Cypress String Quartet explores three pairings of early and middle Beethoven String Quartets in a series of performances at the Maybeck Studio.

In October, paired with Beethoven’s Op. 18 No. 2 and Opus 95, the Salon Series will highlight Schoenberg’s beloved Transfigured Night for which the Cypress will joined by Jonathan Vinocour, principal violist of the San Francisco Symphony, and cellist Jean-Michel Fonteneau, founding member of the Ravel String Quartet. Based on a poem by Richard Dehmel, this expressionist work for sextet explores a transformative experience of love and forgiveness between two lovers walking through the night.

The Cypress String Quartet Salon Series at the Maybeck
Friday, October 24, 2014, 8:00pm
This performance is sold out. See other available dates below.

BASS SOUNDS: Baroque Music for Unaccompanied Cello with Emily Davidson

In this unique program, baroque cellist Emily Davidson explores music written for unaccompanied cello from both the 17th and 18th centuries. Including works from both of her BASS SOUNDS albums, the program includes predecessors to the Cello Suites by J.S. Bach and also works that followed. 17th century ricercars by Gabrielli and Antonii use the cello as a true bass line voice, making for dark, mysterious music that focuses on the low register. Capriccis by Dall'Abaco, written after Bach's suites, use a higher range and are written in a more melodic style with harmony. Both of her albums, BASS SOUNDS and BASS SOUNDS: Evolved, will be available for purchase at the performance.

About Emily Davidson
Emily Davidson, Baroque cellist and teaching artist, spends most of her time playing bass lines. Originally from New York, Emily currently lives, performs, and teaches in the Boston area. Emily received her Master’s degree from The Longy School of Music of Bard College as a student of Phoebe Carrai. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from The Hartt School at The University of Hartford. Her debut solo CD, BASS SOUNDS: Music for Unaccompanied Cello from the Early Baroque, released in February 2013, and was followed with BASS SOUNDS: Evolved in July 2014. She is the founder of Emergence Quartet, a period instrument string quartet that focuses on the earliest pieces in the genre.

During her undergraduate years, Emily found that “early” music—classical music written roughly before 1750—was what resonated with her. She devoted herself to the study and practice of this repertoire by attending festivals and academies nationwide. She appears with period ensembles throughout the Boston area. As a teaching artist, Emily gives lectures in public schools on baroque music, historical string playing, and music history, and also maintains an active studio of private students. In October 2014 Emily is releasing OldStyle, an album of baroque pieces remixed into electronic dance music, with nationally-recognized Dj CUTMAN. Emily is active in social media and online, with her Facebook page, YouTube channel, and blog, Historically Incorrect. Learn more at emilyplayscello.com.

BASS SOUNDS: Baroque Music for Unaccompanied Cello with Emily Davidson
Saturday, October 18, 2014, 2:00pm
Suggested Donation: $20 at the door
Seating is limited. Get your required online reservation here.

Jazz Vocalist Dima

Singing from the heart with a voice and style reminiscent of the early 50's, Dima was influenced at an early age by the music that surrounded her as a child: the classic sounds of jazz.

She began to develop her style as a jazz singer while studying with Merrill Hoover, a well known jazz pianist best known for his eloquent accompaniment of vocalists such as Ernestine Anderson, Anita O’Day, and Mary Stallings. This rare opportunity set the foundation for her to establish her own unique approach to singing as she fell in love with the jazz standard.

Known for her command of the lyric, beautiful soothing tone, soulful improvisation, and carefully chosen repertoire, Dima keeps alive the true art of the jazz singer.

She will be accompanied by Grammy nominated Jazz pianist John R. Burr. "Burr's subdued seamless piano playing cast a wide net, drawing from Gospel, Blues, Pop, Folk and Jazz....Animated discussions that catch the ear and imagination...." Jazz Times

Dima at the Maybeck with John R. Burr
Sunday, October 12, 2014, 3:00pm
Suggested Donation: $15 at the door.
Seating is limited. Get your required online reservation here.

BELLA Trio and Friends: Schubert and Beethoven for Breast Cancer!

Love classical chamber music? 
Love the “Trout” Quintet?
How about Beethoven’s “Ghost” Trio?

Well, then join us for an intimate, live performance of these masterworks at Berkeley’s acoustically dramatic Maybeck Studio for Performing Arts.

Mingle and meet the Artists – Nate, Eric and Mimi, members of BELLA Piano Trio and their esteemed friends, Bay Area bassist Michel Taddei and violist, Marcel Gemperli. Chat with them about your favorite chamber works and what music means to you.

Bring your friends. 
Meet new friends.
Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

BELLA Trio and Friends: Schubert and Beethoven for Breast Cancer at the Maybeck
Sunday, October 5th, 2014, 7:00pm
Suggested donation $75, online or at the door.
Seating is limited. Get your required online reservation here.

All donations are tax-deductible through the SF Friends of Chamber Music.
And, as part of their goal as responsible artists, BELLA will donate a portion of your donations to local Bay Area breast cancer support organizations.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Pianist Mimi Lee is a survivor and champion of spreading support and inspiration for all those who have experienced it themselves or through a loved one.