We thought we knew our ABCs, Trixie and I, but yesterday we learned that we didn't really know them at all... so thanks to our friends at A to Zed Concerts for placing our little feet on the path to enlightenment by teaching us some of the things we didn't know that we didn't know about the letter *A*!
Yesterday -- historians take note -- was January Tenth, which included the inaugural concert of the two-year, 24-concert A to Zed Concert Series imagined, created, and performed by our friends and neighbors Judiyaba and Gwyneth with special guest appearances by a swirling circle of their musical cohorts. The alphabet never sounded so good!
Not only was the program delightfully entertaining and full of musical wonders, it was played with the skill and artistry we have come to expect from this NorCal cadre of musicians who think it's really, really fun to spend their precious free time playing more music and traveling all over the place to do it.
Lucky for you, there will be a second chance to hear the *A* Concert because St. James Episcopal Church in San Francisco will host a repeat of it on Monday, January 25th at 7:30 p.m. St. James is at 4620 California Street (cross streets = 8th and 9th Ave.s, in the Richmond District). Donation at the door, which not only snags you earsful of glorious *A* music by the likes of Arne, Arriaga, Arensky, Albinoni, and Anglebert, it also entitles you to hear two of the zillions of compositions written by that incredibly long-lived fountain of creativity, Anon.
About the Arensky... I looked over at Trixie during the opening bars, and I was sure she was going to burst into tears... she has such a fondness for the sound of Russian choral music, even when transposed for string quartet. The acoustics in the smaller, wood-paneled hall of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, where we heard the concert yesterday, were just right, turning the sound of four instruments into that of a full orchestra (in other words, all the way up to eleven). We are still wondering how that could happen... but happen it most certainly did.
To be sure that this Arensky gets its due once more, Trix and I are planning to be there on the 25th (Trixie is a glutton, what can I say?); alas, she won't bring Teana (her famous tea urn) and make tea again, as she did for the Audience yesterday. She was so excited to be asked to bring an *A* tea, and hopes to be invited to do this again for other letter concerts -- in fact, she has already submitted a list of teas in alphabetical order to show that, YES, for (almost) every letter of the 'bet she has a tea.
Which was the *A* tea, you ask? Why, it was AURORA, by particular request of the musicians (see the pic above). In addition to Aurora there was a plethora of *A* treats, including almonds on their own and in cookies, a’mandelbread, and dried apples and apricots. You can imagine what might be in store for future concerts... blueberries? chocolate? dumplings? éclairs? fondue? etc. Go find out for yerself! We know we shall.
Astute readers have calculated that 24 concerts would leave out two letters of the alphabet... but don't worry, Q is doubling up with R, and X is going to hang out with Y. See? It all works out perfectly. Such smarties, these A to Zed folks.
Follow the A to Zed blog for dates & locations of future concerts... and until we see you there, Trix and I wave to you in fond (hopefully short-term) farewell. And please come to our place for tea, anytime.
Taken from http://tdustinfannings.blogspot.com/
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