Soka Performing Arts Center Presents Virtual Programming Series

Soka Performing Arts Center brings to you first-class virtual programming such as Signature Encore Series, Jazz Interview Series, Manager’s Choice Series, and Expanding Horizons Series,  while Soka University and Soka Performing Arts Center are closed to the public due to COVID-19.

The Signature Encore Series invites audiences to revisit or enjoy for the first time concerts performed at Soka Performing Arts Center; Jazz Interview Series gets up close and personal with jazz musicians with interviews conducted by Jim Merod, founder of BluePort Jazz and artistic director of the Jazz Monsters Series and Jazz Festival Series; Manager’s Choice Series, curated by Soka Performing Arts Center General Manager Renee Bodie, introduces or highlights people such as acousticians, arts leaders, and musicians involved with projects outside the traditional performance space.

Moving beyond the scope of performance and professionals in the performing arts, Soka Performing Arts Center has created the Expanding Horizons Series, presentations by Soka University educators that are engaging, educational, and entertaining.

All programming is free. However, select videos are available only for a limited time*. The virtual programming can be viewed on their website and YouTube channel. The Expanding Horizons Series is available on Zoom.

SIGNATURE ENCORE SERIES
A carefully curated selection of classical music concerts that took place in our beautiful Concert Hall over the last nine years. Relive the concert or enjoy it for the first time. Some videos will be available on our website for a limited time.

Emanuel Ax*

Now through March 31, 2021
It is always a pleasure and honor to present the incomparable Emanueul Ax, who is known for both his virtuosity and good nature. He is a master and makes any piece his own, but Beethoven sits at the core of his repertoire. This performance was filmed on January 16, 2018 as part of Soka Performing Art Center’s Chamber Music Series.

PROGRAM:
Piano Sonata No. 15 in F Major, K. 533/494..................................................MOZART (1756-1791)
Tre Sonetti di Petrarca from Années de pélerinage, deuxième année, Italie.......LISZT (1811-1886)
Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829..................................................................... BACH (1685-1750)
Andante Favori in F Major, WoO 57.........................................................BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein Sonata”...................BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

Encore: Valse Oubliee (Forgotten Waltz)………………………………………………………….LISZT (1811-1886)

Simone Porter and Hsin-I Huang*
April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Acclaimed violinist Simone Porter and pianist Hsin-I Huang are some of the most sought after musicians for solo and guest artist concerts. Porter has been recognized as an emerging artist of impassioned energy, interpretive integrity, and vibrant communication. In the past few years, she has debuted with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Hsin-I who performs with character and a genuine feeling of improvisation, has worked with many artists such as Blake Pouliot, Steve Erdody, Jacob Braun, Calidore String Quartet, and has made guest appearances at the Hollywood Bowl, LA Philharmonic Chamber Music Series, Aspen Music Festival, Ravinia BGH Classics Series, and many other acclaimed venues and series around the world. This performance was filmed on January 27, 2019 as part of Soka Performing Art Center’s Chamber Music Series.
PROGRAM:

Sonata No. 24 in F Major, K. 376....................................................................MOZART (1756-1791)
Violin Sonata, JW VII/7..................................................................................JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
Lachen Verlent......................................................................................................SALONEN (1958-)
“Ningun” from Baal Shem.................................................................................BLOCH (1880-1959)
Tzigane...............................................................................................................RAVEL (1875-1937)
3 Pieces from Romeo & Juliet, Op. 64........................................................PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)

Celtic Christmas
"World's most recorded piper" Eric Rigler, famously the piper from the soundtracks of Outlander, Titanic and Braveheart, teams up with guitarist Dirk Freymuth (Kottonmounth Kings), singer and flutist Nuala Kennedy and harpist Stephanie Bennett to create a holiday concert featuring a mix of traditional Celtic music and Christmas songs from the British Isles.

JAZZ INTERVIEW SERIES
Jim Merod, founder of BluePort Jazz and artistic director of the Jazz Monsters Series and Jazz Festival Series, jazz historian and Soka University professor, interviews acclaimed jazz musicians for a look into their creative lives and history, with behind-the-scenes footage from rehearsals and performances.

Tribute to Charles McPherson: Presentation of the Duke Ellington Award
For more than fifty years, saxophonist Charles McPherson has been one of the most expressive and highly regarded voices in jazz. His rich musical style, rooted in the blues and bebop, has influenced and inspired generations of musicians and listeners. On February 3, 2017, Charles McPherson was honored with the Duke Ellington Award followed by a concert. BluePort Jazz and artistic director of the Jazz Monsters Series and Jazz Festival Series Jim Merod speaks with Charles McPherson and his band members about their individual histories and what it’s like to play in the band. Included is rehearsal footage allowing a look into the creative process as well as the public concert. Charles McPherson performed on February 3, 2017 as part of Soka Performing Arts Center’s Jazz Monsters Series.

Charles McPherson, alto saxophone
Brian Lynch, trumpet

Jeb Patton, piano

Ray Drummond, bass

Johnathan Blake, drums

Maria Schneider Orchestra
Recipient of two GRAMMY Awards (jazz and classical) in 2016, Maria Schneider’s music has been hailed as evocative, majestic and magical. Blurring the lines between genres, Schneider’s long list of commissioners is quite varied, stretching among Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and collaborating with David Bowie. BluePort Jazz and artistic director of the Jazz Monsters Series and Jazz Festival Series Jim Merod speaks with Maria Scheider and her band members about their individual histories and what it’s like to play in the orchestra. Included is rehearsal footage allowing a look into the creative process as well as the public concert. Maria Schneider Orchestra performed on February 21, 2017 as part of Soka Performing Arts Center’s Jazz Monsters Series.

MANAGER'S CHOICE SERIES
Soka Performing Arts Center General Manager Renee Bodie curated an eclectic series of interviews designed to introduce or highlight people such as acousticians, arts leaders, and musicians involved with projects outside the traditional performance space.

Andrew Janss, Co-Director Project Music Heals Us with Yo-Yo Ma and the Vital Sounds Initiative
About Project Music Heals Us: it is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide inspiration, education and healing through live music performances and interactive programming to marginalized communities across the United States, with a focus on the disabled, rehabilitating, incarcerated, and homeless. In order to continue its mission amidst the pandemic, since early April 2020, PMHU has been offering its programming through one-on-one concerts via video livestream platforms to society's most isolated and vulnerable: COVID patients hospitalized across the country.