Our 45th Season, 2024 – 2025
Six Great Performances
New for Season & Half Season Tickets Holders and/or Donors of $200 or More – Reserved & Preferred Seating
AND
New for Season Ticket Holders and/or Donors of $200 or More – Meet and Greet the Artists, Following Some Performances
$35 – Adults Tickets when purchased online ($40 at the door)
Free for Kids, and $10 for Students 18-25
Please Consider Donating to Your Redwood Arts Council
Your $35 Ticket Actually Costs More Than $110
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Akhtamar Quartet +1 (Brussels)
With Special Guest: Arnaud Ghillebaert, Viola
Sat, Nov 2, 2024, 3:30pm (twilight at 6:36pm)
Community Church of Sebastopol
Here them in Rèves Belgium in December, or in Sebastopol on Nov 2
Coline Alecian | Jennifer Pio | Cléo Dahan | Cyril Simon
– Komitas, Armenian Folk Miniatures Suit
– Dvořák, String Quartet in G Major, No. 13, Op. 106
– Bruckner, String Quintet in F Major, WAB 112, Special Guest: Arnaud Ghillebaert – Viola
Navarro Trio +1
Special Guest: Roy Zajac, Clarinet
Sun, Jan 19, 2:30pm (twilight at 5:47pm)
Church of the Roses, 2500 Patio Ct Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Marylin Thompson | Jill Rachuy Brindel | Tammie Dyer
– Shostakovich, Piano Trio in E minor, No. 2, Op. 67
– Dvořák, Piano Trio in E minor, No. 4, Op. 90, B. 166, “Dumky“
– Wilson, Elements, Special Guests: Roy Zajac, Clarinet & Brian Wilson, Composer
Parker Quartet
Sat, Feb 15, 3:00pm (twilight at 6:16pm)
Community Church of Sebastopol
Daniel Chong, violin | Ken Hamao, violin | Jessica Bodner, viola | Kee-Hyun Kim, cello
Hear the Parker Quartet at Carnegie Hall in March, or in SEBASTOPOL on Sat, Feb 15, 3:00 – An afternoon of Stunning String Quartet Mastery
– Zemlinsky, String Quartet in A Major, No. 1, Op. 4
– Thomas Adés, The Four Quarters
– Brahms, String Quartet in B flat Major, No. 3, Op. 67
Ilya Yakushev
Fri, Mar 21, 7:00pm
Church of the Roses, 2500 Patio Ct Santa Rosa CA 95405
Experience the Musical Mastery of Ilya Yakushev – A Night of Piano Brilliance
– Mozart, Fantasia in D minor, K. 397
– Rachmaninoff, Prelude in G sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12 & Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2
– Scriabin, Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand Alone in C-sharp minor, Op. 9, No. 1
– Prokofiev, Sonata in D minor, No. 2, Op. 14
– Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition
Evan Drachman & Lisa Bergman
24-25 Season Attendees Already Know – This will be a Performance You’ll Never Forget!
Sun, Apr 6, 4 PM (twilight at 8:06pm)
Occidental Center for the Arts
Join us for a captivating afternoon of music with renowned cellist Evan Drachman and acclaimed pianist Lisa Bergman. This dynamic duo will perform a rich and diverse program, featuring works from classical legends to evocative psalms. Experience the emotional depth and brilliance of the cello and piano in a special concert you won’t forget!
The Redwood Arts Council has partnered with the Piatigorsky Foundation, which in 2025, have sent its Fellow Artists: Evan Drachman and Lisa Bergman. This year’s Piatigorsky Foundation Fellow Artists with Redwood Arts will bring the total to ten performances/assemblies in Sonoma County Schools – now, over one thousand students. The grand finale will be their Piano/Cello Duo appearance in Occidental. The Redwood Arts Council continues to provide school assemblies, concerts, and coaching for students from transitional kindergarten, to graduate school. This year in our Music Education program, Lisa and Evan are teaching and performing for students in a Sebastopol elementary school, a retirement community, and for very advanced music students. Our warmest thanks to Evan, Lisa, and the Piatigorsky Foundation for their continued support and partnership in our Music Education program, and our music performance series. Additionally, our special thanks to Jeanie Schulz, for underwriting The Redwood Arts Council’s Music Education Program.
Program:
- Beethoven: Seven Variations on a theme from Mozart’s Magic Flute in Eb, WoO46
A delightful set of variations on the famous theme from Mozart’s Magic Flute, showcasing Beethoven’s skill in transforming simple melodies into complex, engaging music. - Brahms: Sonata in E minor Op. 38 for Piano and Cello
A passionate and dramatic piece that blends the deep, rich tones of the cello with the piano’s expressive capabilities in one of Brahms’ most personal and profound chamber works. - Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73
A romantic and lyrical set of miniatures that capture the emotional intensity and tenderness of Schumann’s expressive writing for both instruments. - Bloch: Prayer, “Suite Hébraïque”, Op. 26
An evocative piece blending the spiritual and the personal. The piece captures profound emotional depth, yet it well transcends the boundaries of traditional sacred music. - Piatigorsky: Prayer for Solo Cello
A deeply introspective and emotional piece by one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century, showcasing the cello’s full range of expression and depth. - Bruch: Kol Nidrei Op. 47
One of the most well-known pieces for cello and orchestra, Bruch’s Kol Nidrei is a beautiful, solemn work inspired by the prayer of the same name. This version for cello and piano retains its emotional power in this intimate setting. - Chopin: Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, Transcribed by Gregor Piatigorsky
A delicate, lyrical nocturne by Chopin, transcribed for cello and piano by the legendary cellist Piatigorsky. The cello provides a new layer of emotion and beauty to this romantic piece.
About the Performers
Evan Drachman, Cello:
“Hailed as a dynamic and expressive cellist, Evan Drachman brings passion and artistry to every performance. Known for his compelling stage presence and technical prowess, Drachman has performed with leading orchestras and chamber ensembles worldwide. He is renowned for his interpretation of both classical and contemporary works.”
Lisa Bergman, Piano:
“A celebrated pianist and chamber musician, Lisa Bergman is admired for her expressive performances and collaborative artistry. She has performed across the globe in prestigious venues and is known for her nuanced playing and deep understanding of the piano’s role in chamber music.”
More Information – Evan Drachman • More Information – Lisa Bergman • 
Cantiamo Sonoma
Sun, May 18, 4:00pm (twilight at 8:48pm)
Occidental Center for the Arts
Discover the Magic of Choral Mastery, an Extraordinary Performance – Cantiamo Sonoma
There are few experiences that can rival the thrill and emotional depth of hearing a masterful choral ensemble perform in a space specifically designed to enhance every choral note and harmony. You’re invited to experience the transcendent power of choral music as Cantiamo Sonoma brings the works of legendary composers to life in a hall, the Occidental Center for the Arts, with a world-class choral shell.
Cantiamo Sonoma, renowned for its exceptional vocal talent and artistry, has curated a program that spans centuries of choral music. This concert will be a rare and thrilling opportunity to hear the works of some of the greatest composers in history, including the Renaissance polyphony of Roland de Lassus, the soaring sacred compositions of William Byrd, and the intricate choral innovations of Jacob Handl. The afternoon will also feature 19th and 20th-century gems, such as Joseph Rheinberger’s lush harmonies and the evocative contemporary pieces by Ēriks Ešenvalds, Kim André Arnesen, and Elaine Hagenberger, among others.
A Journey Through Time and Sound
The carefully selected repertoire is a journey through time, featuring choral works that encompass a wide range of styles, textures, and emotional depths. From the intricate, ethereal beauty of Renaissance choral music to the compelling harmonies of modern-day composers like Dan Forrest, Stephen Paulus, Moses Hogan, and Joseph Jennings, each piece offers its own distinctive flavor. Cantiamo Sonoma’s exceptional vocalists, led by their gifted conductor and soprano , Carol Menke, will bring these pieces to life with unparalleled precision and passion. For lovers of a cappella choral music or those new to classical music, this performance offers a rare treat.
A Space Designed for Choral Excellence
What makes this concert even more extraordinary is the hall itself. Designed and tuned specifically for choral performances, the acoustics in this space have been finely tuned to allow each voice, each phrase, each harmonic overtone to resonate at its fullest potential. The result is a listening experience that is simply unparalleled—a perfect blend of artistry and sound.
Imagine the rich, layered harmonies of Joseph Rheinberger’s Abendlied or the stunning clarity of Stephen Paulus’s The Road Home, with the voices of Cantiamo Sonoma weaving together in a way that seems to transcend time and space. The combination of world-class vocal performance and acoustical perfection creates a powerful and moving experience that will stay with you long after the final note fades.
An Afternoon of Beauty, Emotion, and Community
This concert is more than just an opportunity to hear incredible music—it’s a celebration of the power of the human voice and the emotional connection we all share through song. The works performed will stir your heart, challenge your intellect, and deepen your appreciation for the richness of the choral tradition.
So come and immerse yourself in this musical feast. Bring a friend, share the experience, and be part of an afternoon that will resonate with you long after you leave the hall. Whether you’re a seasoned choral aficionado or someone new to the world of vocal music, Cantiamo Sonoma’s performance is one that promises to captivate, inspire, and uplift.
Get your tickets now for a chance to hear these incredible works performed in a space that amplifies their beauty and power. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable afternoon of choral excellence—get your seat today!