San Diego arts organizations keep bringing acclaimed classical musicians here. And excellent homegrown ensembles are constantly raising the sonic standards. Here are a few of many notable upcoming concerts.
After responding to the pandemic shutdown by establishing drive-in concerts and then pivoting to car-free outdoor events, Mainly Mozart is moving indoors to a new venue for three nights. Each will feature a piece by the thoroughly English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and, of course, Mozart. 7 p.m. Oct. 12,14 and 15. The Center at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 14989 Via de la Valle, Del Mar. (619) 239-0100. mainlymozart.org
Exploring the interplay of percussion, piano, strings and flute, the musicians of Camarada will perform works by Haydn and living composers Michael Daugherty and Nathan Daugherty. Frank Bridge’s piano quartet is also on the bill. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. (619) 231-3702. camarada.org
A special collaboration by University of California San Diego music professor-composer Lei Liang, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and new-music proponents Mivos Quartet. This world premiere of “Six Seasons” incorporates sounds of ice, waves, whales and seals, all captured by hydrophones deployed at the sea floor of the Arctic Ocean. 8 p.m. Oct. 15. Prebys Experimental Theater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. (858) 534-1430. artpower.ucsd.edu
The orchestra, led for this concert by Swiss-Australian conductor Elena Schwartz, will play pieces created in the U.S., including “Bamboo Lights” by composer and UCSD professor Lei Liang. The acclaimed Paul Huang, 32, will perform Barber’s Violin Concerto. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. (619) 235-0804. sandiegosymphony.org
With Justin Sterling’s multimedia work as a provocative backdrop, Art of Elan presents Kevin Puts’ string quartet, “Credo,” and two San Diego premieres: an ensemble piece by noted African American composer-educator Jonathan Bailey Holland and a solo harp composition by Juhi Bansal. 7 p.m. Nov. 9. San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. (619) 678-1709. artofelan.org
With an intriguing combination of vocals, a double bass and two violins, this trio performs Americana, modern pop and classical music. (For a pure classical experience, catch Russian piano virtuoso Daniil Trifonov Nov. 10 across the courtyard at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall.) 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5. The JAI at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. (858) 459-3728. theconrad.org
Music Director Rafael Payare conducts the orchestra in the works of romantic composers Brahms, Wagner and Liszt. Guest pianist Marc-André Hamelin will play Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 North Escondido Blvd., Escondido. (619) 235-0804. sandiegosymphony.org
This rare co-production pairs Grammy Award-winning opera star Isabel Leonard with Spain’s classical-guitar phenom Pablo Sáinz-Villegas. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. (858) 459-3728. theconrad.org
French musician Benjamin Alard is a master of both organ and harpsichord. Alard will present two full concerts of Bach, each devoted to one instrument. 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon. 3 p.m. Dec. 6. Saint Brigid Parish, 4735 Cass St., Pacific Beach. (619) 291-8246. sdems.org
The San Diego Symphony starts the season early on Nov. 19 at Balboa Theatre with the Vienna Boys Choir. At The Shell, the popular “Noel Noel” concerts return, as do the live-orchestra versions of the movies “Love Actually” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Bach Collegium San Diego’s offering is “A Praetorius Christmas” at two churches Dec. 9 and 10, while Camarada plays “Charlie Brown Jingles and Jazz” at the Conrad. For times, dates and venues: sandiegosymphony.org; bachcollegiumsd.org; camarada.org
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