San Diego’s already vibrant classical music scene should be even more vibrant in 2023. The next year will be filled with premieres, unearthed gems, works by great musicians, female and male composers. With the COVID-19 pandemic warnings always in mind, 2023 should offer great hearing with a wide range of styles and a variety of venues.
Biggest venue news? The San Diego Symphony opens his 2023-24 season at the dramatically renovated Copley Symphony Hall in downtown’s Jacobs Music Center.
During that time, the orchestra has performed a series of Jacobs masterpieces at various county venues each year. This is a great way to reach out to the area. But it’s good to bring home a symphony.
A $125 million renovation will create a state-of-the-art concert hall while retaining some of the historic elements of the 94-year-old building. Expect plenty of fanfare at his November opening, which will feature many prominent musicians in celebration and throughout the season. This spring and summer, the symphony will once again be performed under the stars at Lady Shell in Jacobs His Park.
French piano duo sisters Katia (left) and Marielle Labeque pose during a photo shoot in Paris.
(JOEL SAGET / AFP via Getty Images)
A state-of-the-art ArtPower concert will be held on April 26 at the new Epstein Family Amphitheater at the University of California, San Diego, on the waterfront. The Dream House Quartet — eminent French pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque, and composers and guitarists Bryce Dessner (The National) and David Charmin — present contemporary works.
In June, the amphitheater hosts the All-Star Orchestra Festival, primarily Mozart, following performances at the Del Mar Surf Cup Sports Park. If musical director Michael Francis and the orchestra are as sublime as they were last year, don’t miss it.
talented and worthy of attention
Art of Elan’s Kate Hatmaker has spent years exploring the intersection of visual arts and music, working with various museums. This season’s theme is creative expression as agents of change. Art of Elan launches the series on January 13th at the Museum of Contemporary Art North, Encinitas, with visual artist her Shellie Zhang and composer her Lei Liang. They explore the concept of ‘home’ and what it means for displaced people and diaspora communities.
Francois Chouchan, founder of Le Salon de Musiques
(Kim Ho-joon image)
Francois Chouchan, founder and director of Le Salon de Musiques, will show off his piano skills on Thursday [Jan. 5] When he played Schubert’s “Winter Trip” with the great baritone Matthew Worth. Chouchan is already working on the third season of Le Salon’s French-style concerts, featuring conversations with musicians, a buffet and champagne at La Jolla Woman’s Club.
Chamber music collective Camalada continues its adventures with classical genres, Latin American, tango, and jazz-influenced productions by great San Diego guitarist Peter Sprague. On March 12th, soprano Tasha Koontz joins Camalada for a Bach and Brahms concert at the Conrad Previes Performing Arts Center in La Jolla.
Also at The Conrad, the Camarada Tango Quartet will perform the world premiere of “Tango Bajo El Agua” by talented Tijuana composer/bassist Andrés Martín. The quartet, including Martin, will follow suit with a short Southwestern tour and a trip to Argentina in May.
The Conrad-based La Jolla Music Society is proud to present a number of up-and-coming musicians this season. Grammy-winning mezzo her soprano Joyce DiDonato and international cello her star Alisa Weilerstein present a unique program in the society’s ProtoStar Innovative Series.
Another La Jolla Music Society event is SummerFest. It will be held from July 28th to August. 26. Pianist Inon Vernathan continues his imaginative and genre-bending tenure as musical director.
women in the spotlight
After centuries of neglect and recent sporadic attention, it is encouraging to see a complete program dedicated to female composers. increase. In June, Le Salon de Musiques presents works by three women composers from the Romantic era. This includes two US premieres and Fanny Her Mendelssohn production. Mendelssohn’s music will be featured in March when her ArtPower brings Esme her quartet here for Women’s History Month.
In November, Anne-Marie McDermott, primarily Mozart, will curate a world premiere commissioned by Brazilian composer Clarisse Assad and a concert featuring works by other women.
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus has long included works by female composers. Stephen Thicke, currently the nonprofit’s emeritus music director, will take the helm in February. Throughout the season, Symphony has featured a guest conductor (who may or may not be running to replace Schick). In May, Samir Patel, artistic director of the San Diego Youth Symphony, will guest-conduct her concert La Her Hoya Her Symphony, which spotlights the work of British composer Anna Klein.
After a strong start to the fall, the San Diego Early Music Society continues its 40th anniversary season with the home debut of acclaimed Trinidadian soprano Jeanine de Vique. In March, she and her Concerto Her Cologne Her Ensemble will perform selections from her award-winning 2021 album Mirrors. Rounding out the May society season is the all-female Tiburtina Ensemble from Prague, specialists in medieval music.
plan [Blank] hosts its annual three-day “Working Title” event on Thursday. Visual artists, musicians and other creators transform St. Paul’s Cathedral in Bankers Hill.plan [Blank]Bread & Salt’s weekly ‘Salty Series’ features a variety of artists in May, including improvisational baritone Jonathan Nussman. This year, with a grant from the California Arts Council, the intrepid presenter tackles Carolyn Chen’s “The Robot,” an opera that premieres in the spring of 2024.
A separate article is needed to cover the many education and outreach programs offered by many of these organizations. From free concerts and youth orchestras to workshops and pre-event talks, these initiatives help keep the music alive.
Wood is a freelance writer.
