Tessa Lark, Edgar Meyer, & Joshua Roman at Hertz Hall, October 20, 2024

Cal Performances presents Tessa Lark, Edgar Meyer, & Joshua Roman
Alfred Hertz Memorial Concert Hall
U.C. Berkeley, 101 Cross-Sproul Path, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
3:00 PM, Sunday, October 20, 2024

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• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Sonata for Viola da Gamba in G Major, BWV 1027
• Edgar Meyer: Trio 1986
• Edgar Meyer: Trio 1988
• Edgar Meyer: New Work TBD (Bay Area Premiere, Cal Performances Co-commission)

[3:05 PM] {lights down, performers out without introduction}

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Sonata for Viola da Gamba in G Major, BWV 1027 (ca. 1730/40)

1. [3:06 PM] Adagio
2. [3:09 PM] Allegro ma non tanto
3. [3:13 PM] Andante
4. [3:15 PM] Allegro moderato
   [3:19 PM] {applause at end of work}

[3:19 PM] {brief comments from EM about changing the performance order from the printed program}

1. [3:21 PM] (mvt i)
2. [3:27 PM] (mvt ii)
3. [3:35 PM] (mvt iii)
4. [3:38 PM] (mvt iv)
   [3:43 PM] {set ends}

[4:01 PM] {lights down; performers out; EM speaks briefly about his new piece}

1. [4:03 PM] (mvt i)
2. [4:10 PM] (mvt ii)
3. [4:13 PM] (mvt iii)
   [4:19 PM] {applause}
   [4:20 PM] {tuning}

1. [4:20 PM] (mvt i)
2. [4:25 PM] (mvt ii)
3. [4:29 PM] (mvt iii)
4. [4:33 PM] (mvt iv)
   [4:39 PM] {applause at end of set; all off}

1. [4:40 PM] Bach: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 (1731)
   [4:45 PM] {show ends; all off after a minute or so}

• Tessa Lark: violin;
• Edgar Meyer: contrabass, piano;
• Joshua Roman: cello.

Perfect weather today: mid-70's with just a hint of a cooling breeze from fog lurking outside the Golden Gate. What could be better? How about an afternoon of chamber music with three virtuosi?

Bach is a great way to start the show, and I'm blown away to note that none of the performers are relying on written music today. Turns out that will be true of the whole concert, wow!

Each of Edgar's works is a fun listen, with lots of interesting sections. My favorite was a “chase” bit where Edgar laid down a foundation while Tessa and Joshua tossed long phrases back and forth where one would start the melody line and the other would end it. Too bad I didn't note when/where that was happening!

The program notes mention that the group will be going into the studio to record these works after the end of their tour: I look forward to hearing the fruit of that effort!

Program Notes or program notes

Nicholas Jones posted a lukewarm review of the show with SFCV that seems to me to mischaracterize Meyer’s pieces as being overly jazzy: reviewer-speak for “hey, they weren’t bowing their instruments!” All dogs gotta bark at the night creatures!

Back to the previous event! ☸ Up to the 2024 yearbox! ☸ Up to the 2024 event list! ☸ On to the next event!