Detroit Free Press Mark Stryker column: Modern composers, Bach on Koh’s program [Detroit Free Press]

Mar. 25--In her early 30s, Chicago-born violinist Jennifer Koh has steadily built her career without benefit of a glitzy media profile, but she has grown into one of the most satisfying players on the scene. She's best known for performing and recording adventurous contemporary music, thoughtfully juxtaposing new and old music and balancing virtuoso command of her instrument with a keen intelligence.

Koh has appeared in metro Detroit on a couple of occasions, but not for nearly seven years and never under circumstances as ideal as tonight's unaccompanied solo recital for the University Musical Society. The program begins and ends with Bach, opening with the Partita No. 3 in E Major and concluding with the Partita No. 2 in D minor (with its heroic Chaconne finale).

In between it really gets interesting, as Koh tackles a range of 20th- and 21st-Century unaccompanied works that expand on Bach's universe -- Eugène Ysaÿe's Sonata No. 2 in A minor, Op. 27, No. 2 ("Obsession"); Kaija Saariaho's "Nocturne" (in memory of Witold Lutoslawski); Elliott Carter's "Fantasy: Remembering Roger," and Esa-Pekka Salonen's "Lachen verlernt" (with a film projection by Tal Rosner).

Two footnotes: First, Koh is appearing in Ann Arbor as a substitute for German violinist Julia Fischer, who canceled her American tour due to family issues. Second, the Chaconne from the D Minor Partita was the subject of last week's show-and-tell program for the Chamber Music Society of Detroit with violinist Arnold Steinhardt and actor Alan Alda. To read a review, go to freep.com/music.

8 p.m. today, Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington, Ann Arbor. 734-764-2538 or 800-221-1229. ums.org. $20-$42.

A contrasting requiem: "A German Requiem" by Johannes Brahms is a remarkable work -- a soothing, intimate piece so different in temperament from the fiery "Requiems" of Mozart and Verdi. Bypassing the traditional Latin text in favor of verses from the German Bible, Brahms' "Requiem" is less a memorial for the dead than a comfort to the living. The piece isn't heard nearly enough in Detroit, so the Brazeal Dennard Chorale's performance, sung in English, qualifies as a special event. Augustus Hill conducts the chorus and orchestra, with vocal soloists Theodore Jones and Brande Everett. The program also includes spirituals and other choral selections.

4 p.m. Sunday, Bethel A.M.E. Church, 5050 St. Antoine. 313-331-0378. brazealdennard.org. $20, $10, students.

More Barber: Metro Detroit's celebration of the Samuel Barber centennial continues with English cellist Steven Isserlis performing Barber's Cello Sonata, an early work from 1932. Barber was just 22 when it was created, but it's already full of the composer's neoromantic expression and vocal-like melodic lyricism. The program also includes music by Schumann, Dohnanyi and Chopin. With pianist Denes Varjon. Presented by the Chamber Music Society of Detroit.

8 p.m. Saturday, Seligman Performing Arts Center, 22305 W. Thirteen Mile, Beverly Hills. 248-855-6070. comehearcmsd.org. $43-$75, $25 students.

To the podium: Detroit Symphony Orchestra audiences have already heard German pianist Christian Zacharias at the keyboard. Now Zacharias returns to Orchestra Hall not only to play but to conduct. He'll lead the DSO through Schumann's "Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op. 52" and Beethoven's Symphony No. 4, as well as play and conduct C.P.E. Bach's Concerto for Clavier and Orchestra in D minor.

10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward, Detroit. 313-576-5111 or detroitsymphony.com. $19-$71.

Contact MARK STRYKER: 313-222-6459 or

[email protected]

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MORE CLASSICAL PERFORMANCES

Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings: "In Recital: Bassoonist Victoria Kin with Pianist Janice Park." Performing works by Fasch, Nussio, P.D.Q. Bach and Bourdeau, 8:30 p.m. Fri. Hagopian World of Rugs, 850 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham. 248-559-2095. $25, $15 students; $20, $10 in advance.

Farmington Community Band: "Encore! Encore!," featuring conductor Damien Crutcher, 7:30 p.m. Sat. Harrison High School, 29995 W. Twelve Mile, Farmington Hills. 734-261-2202. Free-will donation.

Kristy Meretta: Final oboe recital by retiring EMU professor. Performing works by Bach, Francaix, Mark Phillips and Szervansky, 8 p.m. Sat. Pease Auditorium, West Cross and College Place, Ypsilanti. 734-487-5386. Free-will donation.

Lutheran High School Wind Symphony & Jazz Band: Featuring conductors John Miller and Matthew Janssen. Performing works by Arnold, Bernstein, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, 7:30 p.m. Fri. Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 14175 Farmington Road, Livonia. 734-522-6830.

Oakland University Symphonic Band and Brass Band: Featuring conductor Kenneth Kroesche, 8 p.m. Wed. Varner Recital Hall, Oakland University, Auburn Hills. 248-370-2030. $8.

Pontiac Oakland Symphony: Featuring conductor Gregory Cunningham, bass John Paul White and Oakland University Symphony Chorus featuring conductor Dr. Michael Mitchell, 8 p.m. Sat. Stoney Creek High School, 575 Tienken, Rochester Hills. 248-370-3013. $16-$26.

Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra: Featuring guest conductor Piotr Gajewski. Performing works by Mozart, Makris and Tchaikovsky, 8 p.m. Sat. Temple Theatre, 203 N. Washington, Saginaw. 989-754-7469. $5-$35.

Sine Nomine: 7:30 p.m. Sat. Highland Station House, 205 W. Livingston, Highland Twp. 248-889-8660. $10, $8 students and seniors.

Vanguard Voices Choral Celebration: 8 p.m. Mon. Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan, Dearborn. 313-943-2354. $5.

Wayne State University Chamber Winds and Concert Band: Featuring conductor Douglas Bianchi, 7:30 p.m. Thu. Wayne State University's Community Arts Auditorium, 450 Reuther Mall, Detroit. 313-577-2424. $8, $5 students.

Woodhaven High School Percussion Ensemble: 7 p.m. Tue. Woodhaven High School, 24787 Van Horn, Brownstown Twp. 734-783-3333. Free.

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