Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents “Holiday Brass and Voices” With Axiom Brass and the Gloria Musicae Singers December 19 and 20 • Historic Asolo Theater; This award-winning and internationally acclaimed brass quintet teams up with Sarasota’s professional vocal ensemble for a rousing holiday musical experience featuring classical masterworks and prized holiday pop favorites

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Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents

“Holiday Brass and Voices”

With Axiom Brass and the Gloria Musicae Singers

December 19 and 20 • Historic Asolo Theater

This award-winning and internationally acclaimed brass quintet teams up with Sarasota’s professional vocal ensemble for a rousing holiday musical experience featuring classical masterworks and prized holiday pop favorites.

 

“…beauty and fullness of tone, precise intonation, virtuosic technique, expressive dynamic range, and stylistic flexibility. Axiom commands a repertoire ranging from early music and Renaissance to the most challenging contemporary compositions of today not to mention a fluency in the jazz idiom that puts most ensembles to shame.”

Christopher Martin, principal trumpeter with the Chicago Symphony

 

(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota rings in the holidays with “Holiday Brass and Voices,” featuring the celebrated Axiom Brass Quintet in concert with the Gloria Musicae Singers, Sarasota’s professional chorus. The program is sweeping in range and includes classical works by Baroque and contemporary masters, variations on “Deck the Halls,” Duke Ellington’s ode to “The Nutcracker,” a medley dedicated to “Christmas on Broadway,” and much more, December 19, 7:30 p.m., and December 20, 2:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45 and are available at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org. Student tickets available at the door.

Since 2006, the five fresh-faced and sharply dressed young musicians of Axiom Brass have wowed crowds and critics alike with their “high level of musicality and technical ability” and their “clean, clear and precise sound.” As the only brass quintet in 27 years to ever win the prestigious Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition (2012), and the only American ensemble to ever win the Preis der Europa-Stadt Passau in Germany (2012), Axiom Brass has quickly established itself as “one of the major art music groups in brass chamber music.” The group’s repertoire ranges from jazz and Latin music to string quartet transcriptions, and also includes original compositions for brass quintet. The ensemble has appeared on national radio and television, as well as at concerts in Asia, Europe and across the U.S. For its Sarasota appearance, the five musicians (Dorival Puccini, Jr. and Kris Hammond, trumpet; Jacob DiEdwardo, horn; Serdar Çizmeci, trombone; and Kevin Harrison, tuba) will perform a sweeping holiday program for brass and voice covering a full spectrum of holiday classics, from masterpieces of the Italian and German Baroque periods, to contemporary Broadway favorites.

“It’s not everyday that you come across a program like this one, covering centuries of great music right up to our present day, performed by an outstanding brass quintet paired with the classically trained singers of Gloria Musicae,” says Joseph Holt, who serves as both director of artist programs for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, and as artistic director for Gloria Musicae.

Holt says the first part of the concert will feature Axiom Brass performing classical Baroque works by Arcangelo Corelli, Giovanni Gabrielli, and J.S. Bach, followed by works by Holst, contemporary British composer John Rutter and the “Overture to Nutcracker Suite,” Duke Ellington’s and Billy Strayhorn’s seminal jazz rendition of Tchaikovsky’s beloved composition. From there, the brass quintet switches gears, joining the Gloria Musicae Singers on a journey into holiday pops, featuring an assortment of variations on favorite Christmas carols, and even “Christmas on Broadway,” a medley of holiday-themed favorites from the Great White Way.

Holt urges music lovers not to miss this concert and “its rare and artful balance of music that will surely imbue everyone with the holiday spirit.”

The Gloria Musicae Singers, Sarasota’s professional vocal ensemble, celebrates the excellence of choral music through innovative, stimulating performances and educational outreach. The group is comprised of 24 classically trained, auditioned singers performing music from a broad spectrum of the choral literature. Complementing the ensemble are eight apprentice singers ranging in age from 18 to 22. With repertoire spanning four centuries and including major works with orchestra, intimate madrigals, church motets, folk songs, close-harmony jazz, and Broadway show music, this highly versatile ensemble has been called a “cultural jewel of southwest Florida.” The ensemble also specializes in premiere performances of lesser-known choral works, particularly those works by living American composers. Gloria Musicae has performed premieres by René Clausen, Dick Hyman, Robert Levin, Gwyneth Walker, Sheridan Seyfried, and James Grant. Under the direction of Dr. Joseph Holt, the ensemble has undertaken new cultural initiatives and partnerships to become a voice for the community in Sarasota.

Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 20th-anniversary season includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” five concerts in its “Pop Series,” four concerts in its “Special Performances” series, three “Soiree Series” concerts, three “Lunch, Look and Listen” concerts and three concerts in its North Port Performing Arts series. Many of the concerts are presented in multiple performances.

For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2015-2016 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.

 

The Remaining 2015-2016 Season at a Glance

Classical Recital Series

Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

  • Les Amies: Carol Wincenc, a Grammy-nominated artist and one of the most ac­claimed flutists performing today, leads this winning trio, which includes harpist Nancy Allen and violist Cynthia Phelps. January 23, 7:30 p.m.; and January 24, 7:30 p.m.
  • Akropolis Reed Quintet: Described by Fanfare Maga­zine as playing with “imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality,” the Akropolis Reed Quintet, (oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon and bass clarinet), is a cutting-edge ensemble that performs an innovative, living repertoire with acclaimed precision. February 20, 7:30 p.m., and February 21, 7:30 p.m.
  • Trio Celeste: Violinist Iryna Krechkovsky, cellist Ross Gasworth, and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks combine to form an exciting, dynamic and intelligent ensemble. They are each strong instrumentalists in their own right and have what only the best groups have; an understanding of each other’s emotions, the ability to play with both power and subtlety, and what can best be described as a spark. March 5, 7:30 p.m., and March 6, 7:30 p.m.
  • Amit Peled is an Israeli-American cellist and virtuoso called a “larger than life presence on stage” (The Washington Post). Peled, a musician of profound artistry and charismatic stage presence, is known as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the concert stage today. At 6’5″ tall (he was once a basketball player), Peled often surprises audiences with the ways he breaks down barriers between performers and the public, making classical music more accessible to wider audiences. April 9, 7:30 p.m., and April 10, 7:30 p.m.
  • 20th Year Retrospective Celebration: As a close to the 20th anniversary season, Artist Series Concerts is bringing back favorites from past years. The performers that Sarasota audiences have loved before will be here again to entertain, celebrate and inspire. May 28 and 29, 7:30 p.m.

 

Pops Series

At the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

  • Quartetto Gelato, which is often called the Cirque du Soleil of classical music, is a dazzling ensemble that has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with its exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and humor. Classical in training and eclectic by design, QG not only thrills its audiences with its multi-instrument mastery, but also offers the bonus of a brilliant operatic tenor. With a performance repertoire that spans the globe, including classical masterworks, operatic arias, the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and folk songs, the group’s theatrical stage presence and relaxed humor establishes an intimate rapport with audiences worldwide. December 5, 7:30 p.m., and December 6, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
  • Fred Moyer Jazz Trio: Fred Moyer on piano, Lowell Ringer on bass and Bob Savine on drums bring the sounds of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, Erroll Garner, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea to the concert stage. The three musicians infuse the music with their own vitality and interpretations, much the way a chamber music ensemble approaches Bach or Beethoven. January 9, 7:30 p.m., and January 10, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
  • QuinTango, a touring quintet of two violins, cello, bass and piano, brings a century’s worth of tango repertoire to the concert stage with sizzling musicality and captivating narrative style. Winner of two consecutive WAMMIES, QuinTango is the only tango music group to have given a command performance at The White House. QuinTango has been heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” CNN, and network television in both the United States and Costa Rica. When QuinTango made its debut at Charleston’s Piccolo Festival, critic Robert Jones wrote exuberantly that “their concerts packed the place and sent the customers home tango crazy.” April 30, 7:30 p.m., and May 1, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
  • “My Favorite Things,” Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein, featuring acclaimed soloists Mara Bonde, soprano, Katherine Pracht, mezzo soprano, Aaron Blake, tenor, Marcus DeLoach, baritone, and the Gloria Musicae Singers: May 7:30 p.m., and May 8, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Lunch, Look and Listen

One-hour concerts at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. At Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

  • Ann Alton, cello; Joyce Valentine, piano: January 21.
  • Miami Guitar Trio: February 18.
  • Gulfshore Trio: Reiko Niiya, violin; Susannah Kelly, cello; William Dawson, piano: March 17.

Soiree Series

Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. At the Weisenborne/Fischer residence. Call for address. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

  • Bob McDonald singing songs made famous by Broadway leading man John Raitt: March 27 & 28.

North Port Performing Arts Center Series

Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. At the North Port Performing Arts Center, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

  • Miami Saxophone Quartet in “Four of a Kind.” Infectiously joyful arrangements, soulful improvisations, fine musical prowess and four of the finest saxophone players in the business in an afternoon of lively jazz, featuring “Sophisticated Lady,” “It’s a Raggy Waltz, “Lost and Found,” and much more: January 24.
  • Dick Hyman in Concert. A solo performance by the legendary Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer, renowned for his 50-year career as one of America’s most prolific and versatile jazz musicians: February 21.
  • “My Favorite Things: The Music of Rogers and Hammerstein.” Featuring the Qol Quartet, (Johanna Fincher, Robyn Rocklein, Adam Bielamowicz, and Christopher Holloway), and the Gloria Musicae Singers, directed by Joseph Holt: March 6.

 

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as the Artist Series of Sarasota. The group is a non-profit corporation based in Sarasota, FL, that prides itself on presenting several major national and international varieties of concert, opera, orchestral, Broadway and film performances throughout their season. The majority of the performances are staged at the restored Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling.

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