Local Classical Videos
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After a much-needed three-week vacation in Europe (more on that later), BayTaper.com is back in action (albeit a bit jet-lagged). Just before June and I left on our trip, we had the pleasure of hosting several members of the phenomenal unconducted chamber orchestra A Far Cry during the first date of their inaugural west coast tour. Our good friend Megumi Stohs, who is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, is our connection to the group. Many years ago, Megumi worked for June on occasion while attending the Conservatory, and we ve kept in touch during the time that followed her graduation. The group is based out of Boston, and is starting to turn heads in classical music circles on the East Coast, so I couldn t help but take advantage of this opportunity by offering to photograph and record their performance in the Koret Auditorium at the de Young Museum on May 15, 2008. The show was simply amazing, and the recording came out stellar. Best of all, they ve granted permission to share the first piece played that night, Arcangelo Corelli s Concerto Grosso in F major, Op.6 No.9 (1708), which you can listen to by clicking the Play Now link below. On this tour, the group featured Sharon Cohen, Andrew Eng, Jesse Irons, Jae Young Lee, Shaw Pong Liu, Monica Pegis, Megumi Stohs, Ashley Vandiver, and Liza Zurlinden on violin; Margaret Dyer, Jason Fisher, and Franklin Shaw on viola; Loewi Lin, Jeremiah Shaw, and Courtenay Vandiver on cello; and Karl Doty on Bass. You can learn more about the group at AFarCry.org, and you can keep abreast of their ongoing projects and performances by checking their blog, which is updated regularly.

A little more than a week ago, I was lucky enough to attend the first annual Switchboard Music Festival live at Dance Mission Theater on March 30, 2008. It was a full day of inspired music that s best described in their own words: The Switchboard Music Festival is an eight-hour music festival bringing together composers and musicians who are all pushing the boundaries of their respective genres. No other Bay Area music festival or concert series is dedicated to the idea of bringing together such an eclectic, genre-crossing/-breaking/-bastardizing group of experimentalists, innovators, and musical omnivores. Some of the finest musicians in the Bay Area played over the course of the eight-hour music marathon, including Aaron Novik, Amy X Neuburg, Christopher Adler, Dan Becker, Del Sol String Quartet, Jeff Anderle, Edmund Welles, Erik Jekabson, Gamelan X, Ian Dicke, Ian Dickenson, Inner Ear Brigade, Jonathan Russell, Robin Estrada, Ryan Brown, and Slydini. This really turned out to be a tremendous day of live original music, so please enjoy the photographs and this audio sample of Erik Jekabson s trumpet solo (using a delay) called Opening Fanfare, which was the appropriately-named first song played at the festival (thanks Erik!). And don t forget to help support this very-worthy festival when it comes around next year.

Classical Revolution live at the Revolution Cafe on January 27, 2008. Paul Hindemith, String Trio #2 (1935) I. Massig Schnell II. Lebhaft III. Langsam-Schnelle Halbe Albers Trio Laura Albers, Violin Becca Albers, Viola Julie Albers, Cello Brahms Sextet #1 in B Flat Major, op 18 (1860) II. Andante, Ma Moderato Classical Revolution Jory Fankuchen Edwin Huizinga, Violins Charith Premawardhana Becca Albers, Violas Julie Albers Adrian Fung, Cellos

Late last year, I had the distinct privilege of helping the talented Jeff Anderle and Jonathan Russell produce the first album related to their ongoing project Sqwonk. The CD features innovative compositions and arrangements for dueling bass clarinets that I recorded in the acoustically-pleasing Recital Hall of the new San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Listening to these guys play off of one another with that primal bass clarinet sound is truly something to behold, so it is with great pleasure that I present this sample of Profiteering from the album. If you like what you hear and want to support their efforts, the complete CD can be purchased for a nominal price here. Jon and Jeff are also helping organize, and will be playing as Sqwonk, at the upcoming Switchboard Music Festival, which is an eight-hour music festival that brings together composers and musicians who are seriously pushing the boundaries of their respective genres. The festival will be held on March 30, 2008 at the Dance Mission Theater in San Francisco, so mark your calendars because that s certainly going to be a show to remember! Note: Photo is from Sqwonk s CD Release at Old First Church on October 5, 2007.