Newly classic

Marketing classical music can be tricky, even a taboo topic of discussion in the field.  There are those who truly believe that if the performances are good and the repertoire is well-chosen, then the audience will show up based on pure merit.  Unfortunately, history and the current economy have decried that notion rather thoroughly, as many highly respected organizations and ensembles have fallen, regardless of age or even endowment. This is an age of transition, experimentation and rebirth.  So when a new group pops up with innovative ideas and real promise (not to mention considerable talent), it's more than a breath of fresh air.  They bring hope for an art form which is struggling to evolve and find itself yet again.

Salastina Music Society is a prime example of this sort of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.  We've written about this band of trendsetters before, but as they enter their second promising season, the praise bears repeating.  Led by co-artistic directors Maia Jasper and Kevin Kumar (both violinists), the group's programs are star-studded, original and performed by fine musicians with a strong connection with their material. Salastina is also a vehicle for resident composer Jeremy Cavaterra, whose inventive work has been featured on each concert, often as the world premiere.  Their guest artists include choices both stellar (Rod Gilfry, Elizabeth Futral) and unexpected (Seth Rogen), and guests and troupe alike bring considerable gifts that have caused sometimes hardened critics to use phrases such as "a lesson in elegant virtuosity" (Lawrence Vittes) and "keeps the flame of actual music burning bright" (David Ehrenstein).  The events are well thought-out, from the venue to the marketing to even the reception snacks -- their concerts feature nosh from local boutiques, with everything from baked goods to mini gourmet ice cream cones, with the focus always placed on creating a complete and unique experience for concertgoers.  They understand well that content is crucial, but packaging counts.

The bottom line:  this isn't just an ensemble to watch, but one to support.  Get on their mailing list.  Tell your friends, buy a ticket (or four) and don't miss another opportunity to hear them.  (There are two this weekend!)  This is the future of meaningful music.

with baritone Rod Gilfry

-- Two Performances --

Saturday, September 3, 3pm

 Kingman Chapel at United Church of Christ

233 Harrison Avenue, Claremont 91711

 Event Listing        Map & Directions

Tickets $12 in advance, $20 at the door

Purchase online 

Sunday, September 4, 6pm

 Sundays Live at LACMA

Bing Theater at Los Angeles County Museum of Art 

5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90036

Event Listing        Map & Directions

Free admission 

(You could, however, donate a bit here)

For more information about the ensemble, including audio, video and photos from previous events, visit:

Website  Facebook

Southern California Vocal Events

LAURI D GOLDENHERSH's Weekly Highlights

Time is exceedingly precious this week (the days getting shorter, after all), so we'll careen into the new season with some exceptional highlights of this week and a peek at the following weekend...  

If you haven't partaken of the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival at SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE, take a look at their schedule and make some plans. With recitals and more performances of their hit production of 'Yeomen of the Guard', you won't want to miss out. The shows continue through September 24, but be sure to get your tickets early, so you can get the show you want. Get schedule and details by clicking here. 

This Saturday afternoon, international opera star ROD GILFRY joins SALASTINA MUSIC SOCIETY in Claremont for a diverse program of songs and chamber works from Walton, Vivaldi, Taneyev, Gade, Barber, and Cavaterra. Tickets are an astoundingly reasonable $12 in advance, and only $20 at the door. More details are in the event listing below, or click here.

The program will repeat at LACMA on the 4th, as part of Sundays Live, with free admission. Click here for details.

COMING SOON: The season is just gearing up, but next weekend holds a cacophony of beautiful music, including a tough choice on Saturday the 10th (the new opera 'EL CANGURO', with an exceptionally fine cast of young local talent, or a duo recital from celebrated artists DIANA TASH and BRIAN ASAWA, with the incomparable ARMEN GUZELIMIAN at the piano. This might call for an emergency game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.....

And of course, there are also many concerts and events scheduled for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. In the next issue, we'll do a round-up of vocal events designed for remembrance, but check the Calendar to browse through the offerings and plan ahead. Events are still coming in for that weekend, and we'll continue to load them to the Calendar as available. Get more details on all of these events and check back often by clicking (and bookmarking):  http://bit.ly/ListerCalendar 

Welcome back, and thank you for supporting live singing! 

Lauri D. Goldenhersh

lauri@laurislist.com  

Visit the Calendar at LaurisList.com, now the largest centralized resource for SoCal vocal events.  Send us a message to learn how to submit your upcoming events!   

Also, make sure you're subscribed to the Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter, the indispensable email periodical serving more than 5000 readers in Southern California.  

View the latest issue here.

To subscribe, send email to editor Jim Eninger.