Upcoming events.

Mar
16

Cello and Piano

Featuring Claude Bolling’s Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio

Hilary Clark, cello

Rebecca McLaflin, piano

Ken Hustad, bass

Darrell Voss, percussion

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Sep
8

Baroque Bliss

Baroque Music in the Mission

Assorted works by Bach, Handel, Telemann and more.

Grace Seng, violin

Hilary Clark, cello

Jessica Hoffman, oboe

Gregory Gorrindo, tenor

Susan Davies, harpsichord

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Apr
14

For the Birds

Season Finale

The Birds  Ottorino Respighi
The Lark Ascending  Ralph Vaughan Williams
Song of the Birds Pablo Casals
Symphony No. 83, “The Hen” Franz Joseph Haydn

Alejandra Moreno-Gonzalez, violin soloist

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Mar
10

Horn Hijinks

Horns and Strings

Mozart Quintet for Horn and Strings
Beethoven Sextet for 2 Horns and Strings
Schubert String Quartet "Death and the Maiden"

Jason Beaumont and Greg Magie, horns
Tony Navarro and Grace Seng, violins
Emily Gilman, viola
Hilary Clark, cello

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Feb
18

Fierce Fingerings

Classical Guitar and Strings

Special guest Jack Cimo, classical guitarist, joins Symphony of the Vines' own Tony Navarro, violin, and Hilary Clark, cello.

*Please note: this performance will take place in the Banquet Room adjacent to Cass Café

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Jan
14

Timeless Classics

Symphony of the Vines at Mission San Miguel

Dumbarton Oaks Concerto   Igor Stravinsky
Cello Concerto No. 1           
Franz Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 5                 
Franz Schubert

Hilary Clark, cello soloist 

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Nov
5

Fantaisie Française

Piano Trio

Symphony of the Vines presents a delightful assortment of French chamber music.

Francis Poulenc
  Sonata for Violin and Piano
César Franck
       Sonata in A minor (version for Cello and Piano)
Ernest Chausson
Piano Trio

Tony Navarro, violin
Hilary Clark, cello
Jacopo Giacopuzzi, piano

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Sep
17

Arctic Chill

Symphony of the Vines at Mission San Miguel

Symphony of the Vines presents Scandinavian masterworks. Featuring Marley Eder, flute soloist.

Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
Edvard Grieg
Flute Concerto
      Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 5
   Jean Sibelius   

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Aug
20

Scintillating Strings

Momentous Works for String Quintet and Sextet

Symphony of the Vines season opener featuring Franz Schubert's monumental String Quintet in C major, considered one of the finest chamber music works of all time. Program also includes the beautiful B-flat major string sextet by Johannes Brahms.

Tony Navarro and Daniel Muñoz, violins
Emily Gilman and Bridget Boland, violas
Katrina Agate and Hilary Clark, cellos

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Apr
22

Celebrate the Arts

Fabulous Fundraising Event

  • Enjoy an afternoon of music, visual arts, fine wine and gourmet hors d’oeuvres at the exquisite west Paso Robles hilltop home of Ken and Marilyn Riding, local champions of the arts.

  • Participate in an exciting silent auction of items including aerial tours of the central coast, wine selections, tasting opportunities and pairings, and graphic art.

  • Special guest performance by outstanding and award winning young local pianist, Andy Shen. Additional music performed by Symphony of the Vines' principal cellist, Hilary Clark, and pianist Lynne Garrett.

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Jan
15

Classical Artistry

Symphony of the Vines at Mission San Miguel

Maestro Magie leads the orchestra. Featuring violinist Mischa Lefkowitz as soloist.

Sinfonia Concertante for Winds and Orchestra
Mozart 

Violin Concerto 
Beethoven

 

     

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Oct
9

Elegant Ensembles

Quartet and Quintet

Alejandra Moreno-Gonzales, violin

Tony Navarro, violin

Kevin Massin, viola

Hilary Clark, cello

Dmitriy Cogan, piano

Featuring outstanding pianist Andy Shen as our Student Spotlight

Piano Quartet No. 3
Johannes Brahms

Piano Quintet in A major
Antonín Dvorák

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Suite Treats
Sep
11

Suite Treats

Symphony of the Vines at Mission San Miguel

Maestro Magie leads the orchestra in two charming and magical suites. Also featuring cellist Hilary Clark as soloist.

Mother Goose Suite 
Maurice Ravel   

Pulcinella Suite     
Igor Stravinsky  
Cello Concerto no. 1 Dmitriy Shostakovich 

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Aug
28

Fanciful Flute

Flute, Piano, and Cello

Symphony of the Vines starts off its 13th season with a chamber music concert featuring outstanding flutist Marley Eder. Joined by Susan Davies, piano, and Hilary Clark, cello, the program will feature a variety of works, including:

Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano 
Bohuslav Martinu

Sonata for Flute and Piano
Robert Muczynski

Trois Aquarelles
Philippe Gaubert



 

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May
28

Jack Cimo at Trilogy

Jack Cimo, guitarist

Enjoy special guest artist Jack Cimo

Local guitar virtuoso Jack Cimo collaborates with Symphony of the Vines string players for a variety of works, including the famous quintet for guitar and strings by Luigi Boccherini.

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May
27

Joyful Beethoven

Ode to Joy

Beethoven at Mission San Miguel

Beethoven’s crowning achievement, and one of the most remarkable and powerful works in all the literature, the “Choral” Symphony is life-affirming and calls for unity and freedom. Performed with full chorus and four vocal soloists. An event not to be missed.

Fidelio excerpts 
Ludwig van Beethoven   

Symphony No. 9, “Choral”     
Ludwig van Beethoven                                  

                                     

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Mar
20

Gallant Guitar

Jack Cimo, guitarist

Enjoy special guest artist Jack Cimo

Local guitar virtuoso Jack Cimo collaborates with Symphony of the Vines string players for a variety of works, including the famous quintet for guitar and strings by Luigi Boccherini.

Enjoy award-winning Cass wines while luxuriating in the delightful timbres of classical music.

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Jan
14

Mighty Beethoven

Beethoven’s First and Fifth Symphonies

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Beethoven at Mission San Miguel

We continue our celebration of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary with perhaps his most iconic and popular work, the Symphony No. 5. From the famous opening four note motive he creates an amazing edifice of towering genius and power.

Symphony No. 1  Ludwig van Beethoven                                          

Marimba Concerto (world premiere)       Mutsuhito Ogino                          
John Astaire, soloist

Symphony No. 5  Ludwig van Beethoven 

Join us at lovely and historic Mission San Miguel for this powerful Symphony of the Vines performance.



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Nov
21

Poignant Piano

Torsten Juul-Borre, piano

Piano Recital at Cass Winery

Torsten Juul-Borre will be appearing for his beloved annual piano concert the Sunday before Thanksgiving at Cass Winery in Paso Robles.

On the program will be intriguing music by two female composers from the Romantic era, Amy Beach and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel. (Enough of those men already.)  Later in the program, however, we will be hearing select pieces from renowned pianist and composer, Frederic Chopin.

Enjoy award-winning Cass wines while reveling in the dazzling sonorities of classical piano music.

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Oct
17

Capricious Clarinet

Enjoy the Delightful Sound of the Clarinet

Off-the Vines Concert at Cass winery

Outstanding local clarinetist Richard Dobeck is featured in this Off-The-Vines concert at the stunning Cass winery. Richard is joined Dmitriy Cogan and Hilary Clark for Johannes Brahms’ trio for clarinet, cello and piano along with other pieces.

Enjoy award-winning Cass wines in a beautiful setting while being immersed in masterworks works of classical music performed with passion by Symphony of the Vines musicians. 

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Sep
12

Heroic Beethoven

Beethoven’s Third Symphony

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We look forward to seeing you at our first symphony concert!

Beethoven’s growing deafness caused him severe isolation and loneliness. He even contemplated suicide. In the end, art kept him going, and out of this dark period, he created one of the most revolutionary works, the Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”.

As we come out of our own dark period of isolation from this pandemic, we can once again celebrate great art together. On this 20th anniversary of 9/11 we remember those who were lost, and also those lost to the pandemic. In honor of those, we present Samuel Barber’s emotional Adagio for Strings.

Cellist Hilary Clark will be featured in the world premiere of the Cello Concerto by Daniel Baldwin.

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Aug
29

Cherished Chamber Music

Celebrate Beethoven

Join us for the opening concert of the 2021-2022 season!

We are thrilled to be back to performing live classical music for you! Kick off our 12th season with three of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most beloved chamber music works: 

   Violin Sonata op. 24 “Spring”

   Cello Sonata op. 69

   Piano Trio op. 97 “Archduke”

Featuring Grace Seng, violin

Hilary Clark, cello

Dmitriy Cogan, piano

Outstanding young cellist Colin Guan will be featured as our Student Spotlight performer.

Enjoy award-winning Cass wines in a beautiful setting while being immersed in monumental works of classical music performed with passion by Symphony of the Vines musicians.

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Jul
25

Symphony of the Vines Fundraising Event

A Unique Evening of Music, Food & Wine at Pear Valley Vineyard

Join us to help support our upcoming 2021-2022 season of classical music at the gorgeous Pear Valley Vineyards!

You’ll enjoy their delicious handcrafted wines, great appetizers, a casual and festive atmosphere, and of course - amazing classical music presented by violinist Valerie Berg-Johansen and some surprise special guests you won’t want to miss!

Your ticket includes:

  • Admission to the event

  • One glass of Pear Valley Wine

  • Appetizers

We have missed you and can’t wait to see your smiling faces again!

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Feb
13

Clarinet Quintet

Wednesday, February 12, 7pm | Monarch Club at Trilogy, Nipomo

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Thursday, February 13, 4pm | Pear Valley Estate Wine, Paso Robles

Featuring Nancy Mathison, clarinet, Grace Seng and Valerie Berg-Johansen, violin, Andrew Grishaw, viola, Hilary Clark, cello

Clarinetist Nancy Mathison joins Symphony of the Vines to celebrate our 10th Anniversary Season with an exciting program for the musicians and audience alike. Enjoy the unique timbre of the clarinet accompanied by a string quartet in this delightful concert featuring great chamber works for the clarinet by Mozart et al.

Clarinetist Nancy Mathison joins a string quartet for great chamber music works by composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gerald Finzi and Astor Piazzolla. The quintet includes musicians Grace Seng and Valerie Berg-Johansen, violin, Andrew Grishaw, viola, and Hilary Clark, cello.

We are pleased to present a Student Spotlight featuring Joseph Galicinao, horn musician from Pioneer Valley High School. Watch an interview with Joseph here: https://symphonyofthevines.org/educational/

Quintet in A Major for Clarinet and Strings, K.581 – Mozart

This program features Mozart’s Quintet in A Major for Clarinet and Strings, K.581. Mozart was one of the first composers to use the clarinet in a symphony. Mozart’s fascination with the clarinet late in life resulted from his friendship with the Austrian clarinet virtuoso Anton Stadler (1753-1812), one of the composer’s fellow Freemasons in Vienna.  It was for Stadler that Mozart wrote the Quintet, K.581.

Five Bagatelles, Opus 23 – Finzi

Gerald Finzi was an exceptionally interesting figure.  Trained in York and London, he was a sensitive and introspective man who eventually renounced the life of the city and moved with his wife to the countryside. Finzi’s Five Bagatelles took shape over a long period.  It appears that he began work on some pieces for clarinet and piano during the 1920s, when he was still a music student in London, and then set them aside.  He returned to his sketches nearly two decades later, during World War II. Finzi was a pacifist, but he understood what was at stake during that war, and he spent the war working for the Ministry of War Transport in London.  In 1941 he returned to his early sketches and composed the first three bagatelles, adding a fourth in 1942.  These were premiered in January 1943, but when it came time to publish this music, Finzi’s publisher felt that the four pieces needed a fast finale, so Finzi composed the concluding Fughetta. The Five Bagatelles have become one of Finzi’s most popular compositions, and they are heard at this concert in an arrangement by Christopher Alexander for clarinet and string quartet.

Oblivion – Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla was a fabulously talented young man, and that wealth of talent caused him some confusion as he tried to decide on a career path.  Very early he learned to play the bandoneon, the Argentinian accordion-like instrument that uses buttons rather than a keyboard, and he became a virtuoso on it. He gave concerts, made a film soundtrack, and created his own bands before a desire for wider expression drove him to the study of classical music. In 1954 he received a grant to study with Nadia Boulanger in Paris, and it was that great teacher who advised him to follow his passion for the Argentinian tango as the source for his own music.

Piazzolla returned to Argentina and gradually evolved his own style, one that combines the tango, jazz, and classical music. In his hands, the tango–which had deteriorated into a soft, popular form–was revitalized. Oblivion comes from the sultry side of the tango. Over the melting rhythms of the opening, the haunting and dark main theme sings its sad song, and this will return in a number of guises.  Piazzolla varies the accompaniment beneath this tune, and the tango stays firmly within its somber and expressive opening mood.

Nightclub 1960 from l’histoire du tango – Piazzola (arr. Ulrich Nyffeler)

In the mid-1980s Piazzolla published what has become one of his most popular works, L’histoire du tango, a survey of how that form had evolved in four different decades across the twentieth century.  Piazzolla originally scored his “History of the Tango” for flute and guitar as a way of evoking the tango’s origins, but this music has been heard in countless arrangements, and at this concert its third movement, Night Club 1960, is heard in an arrangement for clarinet and string quartet. Night Club 1960 brings us the tango in transition toward something livelier, as contemporary Latin dance forms began to reinvigorate it.

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Jan
25
to Jan 26

Bach Cello Suites

Saturday, January 25, 1pm | Grace Bible Church, Arroyo Grande

Sunday, January 26, 4pm | Pear Valley Estate Wine, Paso Robles

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Featuring Nancy Mathison, clarinet, Grace Seng and Valerie Berg-Johansen, violin, Andrew Grishaw, viola, Hilary Clark, cello

BACH’S CELLO SUITES

Symphony of the Vines is completing the cycle of Bach’s Cello Suites. Last season, we presented suites 2, 3 and 4. This program features the Bach’s first and last two suites in the series.  Each artist presents her own vision of these intimate works.  Featuring cellists Jeanne Shumway, Barbara Hunter-Spencer, and Hilary Clark.

Bach’s Cello Suites are some of the most emotionally intense pieces in the Baroque repertoire, making the most of the emotional depth of a solo cello and using a wide range of complex playing techniques.

There are six suites in all, each with six movements, each of which acts like a musical conversation – high passages are echoed by reflective low playing, and dense chords accompany delicate ornamental flourishes. The most famous movement, the ‘Prelude’ from Suite No. 1 in G, is a great example of Bach’s genius; there is no accompaniment, but the harmony plays out note-by-note like a musical journey, as chords are implied over the course of a bar rather than played.

Interestingly, there are no tempo markings for any of the movements given by the composer. Therefore, it is up to the performer to choose the suitable pulse for her interpretation.

 Suite No. 1 – Jeanne Shumway

Suite No. 5 – Barbara Hunter-Spencer

Suite No. 6 – Hilary Clark

For such a popular set of works, it is amazing how little we know about the genesis of the Cello Suites. Bach’s manuscript of them is lost, with little chance it will ever be found. So musicians have relied on a copy written out by his second wife, Anna Magdalena.

It’s perhaps more astounding that these amazing works weren’t widely known before the 1900s, and were merely dismissed as studies. 

The Cello Suites are an integral part of the cello repertoire. Most well-known cellists regard performing and recording the whole set as a milestone in their career. 

The Suites for Unaccompanied Cello

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Born March 21, 1685, Eisenach

Died July 28, 1750, Leipzig

Bach’s six suites for unaccompanied cello date from about 1720, when the composer was kapellmeister (director of music) and working for Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen in Leipzig,

Germany.  Bach did not play the cello, and it may well be that he wrote these suites for Christian Ferdinand Abel, cellist in the Köthen orchestra and one of the best cellists in Europe. Abel and Bach became good friends (Bach was the godfather of one of Abel’s sons), and almost certainly the two worked together as these suites were composed: Bach would have asked him what was possible and what was not, what worked and what didn’t, and so on.  The result is music for cello that is very idiomatically written but also supremely difficult, and all by itself this music may tell us how high the standard of music-making was in the Cöthen court when Bach was there.  Bach’s suites for solo cello remained for years the property of a handful of connoisseurs–they were not published until 1828, over a century after they were written.

Bach understood the term “suite” to mean a collection of dance movements in the basic sequence of allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue, which is the same sequence of movements of his instrumental partitas.  But Bach added an introductory prelude to all six cello suites, and into each suite he interpolated one extra dance movement just before the final gigue to make a total of six movements.  All movements after the opening prelude are in binary form.

Bach’s cello suites have presented performers with a host of problems because none of Bach’s original manuscripts survives.  The only surviving copies were made by Bach’s second wife and one of his students, and – lacking even such basic performances markings as bowings and dynamics – these texts present performers with innumerable problems of interpretation.  In a postscript to his edition of these suites, Janos Starker notes that one of the pleasures of going to heaven will be that he will finally be able to discuss with Bach himself exactly how the composer wants this music played. In the meantime, individual performers must make their own artistic decisions, and these suites can sound quite different in the hands of different cellists.

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