Orchestra in NorCal

A beloved tradition at Music@Menlo since the first season, Encounters are full-length lectures presented throughout the festival. Led by a rotating selection of eminent musicologists, educators, and musicians, they delve deeply into aspects of each summer’s theme. Audiences come away with enhanced historical and musical knowledge, leading to a richer understanding of and engagement with the festival’s composers and their works. Perhaps no one has played as many consequential roles in the classical music world as Ara Guzelimian . He has held senior leadership roles with distinguished musical institutions from the Los Angeles Philharmonic to the Aspen Music Festival to Carnegie Hall, the Juilliard School, the Marlboro Music Festival, and the Ojai Music Festival. Through his decades of experience, he has worked closely with artists, composers, leaders, teachers, and students. A Music@Menlo veteran from the first season, he is the perfect Encounter leader to explore the phenomenon of artis

BALTZAR “John, come kiss me now” from The Division Violin TELEMANN Concerto “ Polonois ” LULLY Trios pour le coucher du Roi VIVALDI Trio Sonata Op. 1, No. 12 “ La Follia ” BACH Mer hahn en neue Oberkeet (“Peasant Cantata”)

GRAMMY Award-winning violinists Mark O’Connor and Maggie O’Connor return with genre-blending works rooted in American folk traditions. Aaron Copland ’s Appalachian Spring anchors the program, alongside vibrant pieces by Gabriela Lena Frank . From Appalachian landscapes to Andean influences, this concert traces an evolving portrait of American music. Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor

BACH Violin Concerto in E Major BACH Harpsichord Concerto in A Major VIVALDI Violin Concerto in D Major, " L'Inquietudine ” TELEMANN Flute Concerto in D Major BACH Concerto in C Minor for Oboe & Violin VIVALDI Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins & Violoncello

TELEMANN Concerto in A Major for 4 Violins BACH Ouverture No. 3 in D Major (Orchestral Suite) HANDEL Ode for St. Cecilia's Day

Step into the refined world of the French royal court with a delightful morning of music by François Couperin, a leading composer at the court of King Louis XIV, the “Sun King.” Performed by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra on period instruments and in the style of the time, Couperin’s chamber works blend Italian passion with French elegance, unfolding in graceful dances, lyrical tunes, and rich color from Baroque-era wooden flutes. This intimate concert evokes the salons of Paris and the grandeur of Versailles, all in the welcoming atmosphere of a relaxed morning coffee concert. Hosted by The Conservatory at One Sansome , with free coffee and pastries provided by our friends at Holbrook House . With support from 836M . Free and open to the public. Perfect for downtown professionals, neighbors, and anyone looking to escape into a sound world of the past. Program COUPERIN — Sonade from “La Françoise” from Les Nations COUPERIN — Concert Royaux No. 1 COUPERIN — Dance Suite from “La Françoise” from Les Nations Performers Stephen Schultz, flute Mindy Rosenfeld, flute Elisabeth Reed, viola da gamba Corey Jamason, harpsichord Next Up Coffee Concert – September 18

Date: Tue, Aug 25, 7:30 PM

Noontime Concerts: Karina Tseng, piano

Format: OrchestraFree

Venue: Old St. Mary's Cathedral • Neighborhood: San Francisco Bay Area • Map • Details

FREE EVENT LIVE STREAM LINK (Available at time of concert) Karina Tseng returns to perform a tour-de-force solo recital at Noontime Concerts. A native of the Bay Area, Karina has established herself as a compelling performer on the international stage. The festival is proud to welcome her back for this special program. Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) From Preludes & Fugues Op.87 Prelude & Fugue No.7 in A Major Prelude & Fugue No.5 in D Major Ludwig van Beethoven ( 1770-1827) Sonata No. 13 in E-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1, "Sonata quasi una fantasia" Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Sonata in B minor, S. 178 Karina Tseng, piano* *Laureate of the Ross McKee Piano Competition American pianist Karina Tseng is a San Francisco Bay Area native currently based in Italy and Switzerland. Karina has performed alongside the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Festival Orchestra, Palo Alto Philharmonic, and New Millennium Chamber Orchestra, and given recitals in the United States and Italy. She was winner of the 2025 Andrea Baldi Competition in Bologna, Italy, and earned top recognition at the 2025 Ricard Viñes (Lleida, Spain), 2025 National Chopin (Miami, USA), and 2025 Samson François (Nice, France) Competitions. She was also the winner of the 2022 Marian Garcia Competition and a finalist at the 2023 Bösendorfer USASU Competition. In 2020, Karina was inducted into the distinguished MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California) Young Artist Guild, through which she was offered recital opportunities throughout California. As an artist who cherishes connecting and engaging with her audience, she c

Date: Tue, Aug 25, 10:00 PM

McKee Masterclass I: Elizabeth Dorman

Format: OrchestraFree

Venue: Noe Valley Ministry • Neighborhood: San Francisco Bay Area • Map • Details

FREE RESERVATION The McKee Masterclass series has become a staple of the San Francisco International Piano Festival. Distinguished pianist and educator Elizabeth Dorman will launch the series, coaching young artists in masterpieces of the piano literature. All are welcome to this free event! Young Artists & Repertoire TBA Praised by Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle for her “elegance and verve,” pianist Elizabeth Dorman enjoys performing music both new and old as a soloist and chamber musician. A prizewinner of the 2018 Leipzig International Bach Competition and the 2017 Pro Musicis Father Merlet Award, Elizabeth has been widely recognized as a leading performer for her inquisitive interpretations of Bach’s music on th modern piano. Elizabeth has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Louisville Orchestra, the Leipzig Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Rosa Symphony, the California Symphony, the Vallejo Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Folsom Lake Symphony, the Stanford Summer Symphony, Symphony Parnassus, as a soloist for interdisciplinary projects at New World Symphony, and she can be heard regularly performing as guest Keyboard at the San Francisco Symphony. She has recorded for Navona and Delos records, including as a soloist with Santa Rosa Symphony. Elizabeth and wasawarded a Doctor of Musical Arts from Stony Brook University where she studied with Gilbert Kalish.