In 2006, soprano Rebecca Plack and pianist Blaise Bryski created MUSIC MATTERS, a dynamic and down-to-earth concert series that takes a new look at (mostly) old music. Their eclectic programs, which dare to pair such seemingly disparate composers as Bellini and Berberian, are punctuated by lively commentary. The resulting recitals examine how performers translate score into sound across five centuries worth of repertoire, and offer a refreshing alternative to the traditional concert-going experience. What other vocal-piano duo do you know that ends performances by taking Schubert requests?

MUSIC MATTERS inaugurates its season in Davis, California with three Sunday afternoon concerts:
 
Sunday, September 10, 3pm – “Classical Improv”
Transcending the score in Caccini, Caldara, Scarlatti, Handel, Donizetti, Barber, Cage, Berberian and Schubert
 
Sunday, January 7, 3pm  – “Starting Over”
Reinventing poems and musical language in songs of Rossini, Handel, Schubert, Debussy, Stravinsky, Copland, Ives and Winges
 
Sunday, April 22, 3pm  – “Setting the Scene”
Exploring music as drama and mood in Haydn,
Mozart, Chabrier, Wolf, Musorgsky and Larsen

 

All concerts are at the Unitarian Church of Davis,
27074 Patwin Road. Suggested donation: $10