Pacific Serenades, one of the West Coast's leading chamber ensembles, opens its 21st season with the world premiere of Songs of Rumi for baritone, clarinet, violin, cello and piano by the orchestra's founder and music director Mark Carlson on Saturday, January 27, 8 p.m., at a Brentwood home; Sunday, Jan. 28, 4 p.m., at The Neighborhood Church in Pasadena; and Tuesday, January 30, 8 p.m., at The UCLA Faculty Center.
The program, titled "We all inhabit this small planet," also features Brahms' Sonata for clarinet and piano, Op. 120, No. 2; Fauré's Piano Trio, Op. 120; and selected songs by Schumann, with Gary Gray, clarinet; Miwako Watanabe, violin; David Speltz, cello; Ayke Agus, piano, and guest artist Michael Dean, bass-baritone.
Carlson's lyrical, emotionally powerful, and stylistically unique music-making has earned him the admiration of audiences and musicians throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. A versatile composer, his nearly 90 works include art songs, chamber and choral music, concertos, large ensemble works and songs for musical theater. Dean has appeared with the leading opera companies and orchestras of the U.S. and Europe, including frequent appearances at New York City Opera. His powerful voice and commanding stage presence have garnered him wide acclaim from audiences and critics alike, in repertoire ranging from early to contemporary music.
