By Shelby Clark
Holiday concert season might be over, but the music of trumpets, violins and pianos still sound. Several of Ann Arbor's music organizations are bringing both fresh and classical music to the beginnings of 2014.
The Chamber Recital Series from Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (A2SO) continues into the new year at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 at the Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Drive.
The frequent program includes coffee and dessert a half hour before the show with $10 ticket purchase. The January performance is titled "The Singing Trumpet," featuring a Chinese folk melody, Mozart's "Queen of the Night" from "Magic Flute," and more.
A2SO will also take part in "Cosi fan tutte: Mozart Birthday Bash," as the symphony becomes "one of the actors" in the semi-staged, narrated comedic opera about fiancee swapping. The performance begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor.
For more information on all A2SO shows, visit http://www.a2so.com.
UMS Hosts Jazz, More
A highlight of the latest UMS program includes "Series:You" with jazz musician Colin Stetson. The Ann Arbor-raised saxophonist has played with acts like Arcade Fire and Feist. He'll be joined by special guest Justin Walter, also from Ann Arbor. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin Ave., Ann Arbor. Tickets are $30.
UMS will also host the Kronos Quartet at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Power Center. The string quartet has been playing together for 40 years, and brings a "rebellious" show to "Series:You." The performance will look at historical renegades of music, from Richard Wagner to Laurie Anderson. The show is billed as "string quartet playing as political act."
Tickets for the Kronos Quartet are $20-50. The Power Center is located at 121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor.
Siberian pianist Denis Matseuv helps fill the new year with song in his piano concert at 4 p.m. Jan. 26. The musician won the 1998 International Tchaikovsky Competiton and was the featured soloist with the Mariinsky Orchestra in Oct. 2010. His program will include Tchaikovsky's "Dumka" (Russian Rustic Scene), "Op. 59" and Rachmaninoff's "Sonata No. 2" in b-flat minor, "Op. 36" (Version 2, 1931) along with other classical pieces.
Tickets for Denis Matseuv are $10-60. The performance will be held at Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor.
UMS ends the month on yet another jazz showcase. The Fred Hersch Trio will play at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor.
The trio consists of Hersh on piano, John Hebert on bass and Eric McPherson on drums. Hersh has been dubbed "the most arrestingly innovative pianist in jazz over the last decade" by Vanity Fair, and has been nominated for a 2014 Grammy.
For more information on UMS shows, visit http://www.ums.org.
Kerrytown Concert House
Detroit native Dave Sharp brings "The Khalil Gibran Project" to Kerrytown, presenting selections from Gibran's famous "The Prophet" to improvised music. A graduated of University of Michigan, Sharp will be on electric/double bass with other band members adding to the modern jazz performance. Dr. Yvan Silva will narrate. The show begins at 8 p.m. Jan. 3.
Taking a step away from contemporary, Kerrytown Concert House also brings the music of Theodore Gouvy to life with "Forgotten Songs of Theodore Gouvy." Gouvy's works were inspired by the French Renaissance, and deal strongly with love, be it the joy of new love or the depression of love unrequited. MeeAe Nam serves as soprano, John Elwes as tenor, and Joel Schoenhals on piano. "Forgotten Songs" starts at 8 p.m. Jan. 6.
Tickets for both Kerrytown shows range from $5 to $25.
Further showcasing the concert house's diverse performances, "WWS XII: The 12th Anniversary Gala Celebrating the KCH Tradition of Wine, Women and Song" comes to Kerrytown. Created and directed by Wendy Bloom, with Jerry DePuit serving as pianist and musical director, the cabaret features locale female talents. Genres that will be performed range from classical to jazz, and will feature many area artists, including Lisa Gray, Carolyn Burnstein, Sue Booth and even the founder of KCH, Deanna Relyea. Tickets for this special celebration are $20-50. Performance times are 8 p.m. on Jan. 24, 25, 31 and Feb. 1, and 4 p.m. on Jan. 26.
Kerrytown Concert House can be found at 415 N. Fourth Ave. in Ann Arbor.
