Cellist Lynn Harrell, Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra team up again
Just over a year ago, world-renowned cellist Lynn Harrell filled the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox with the sound of Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor during a performance with the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra.
According to conductor Kevin Hekmatpanah, Harrell’s performance was so great he had to have the cellist back for another concert as soon as possible.
Hekmatpanah will have his wish when Harrell returns to Spokane on Monday for another performance with the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra, this time as guest soloist on Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85.
The concert will also feature performances of Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 and Antonin Dvořák’s Rondo for Cello and Orchestra in G Minor, Op. 94.
Harrell began playing the cello at age 8 while living in Dallas. The instrument then took him to the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Harrell has performed with symphonies in North America and abroad, released more than 30 recordings and won two Grammys.
“How you handle your instrument, essentially is just a tool to reaching out to other human beings and having them feel the same thing,” Harrell told The Spokesman-Review last year. “It’s storytelling without words.”
If you go: 7:30 p.m. Monday; Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave.; Free/Gonzaga students, faculty and staff with ID; $13/seniors and students with ID; $16/general admission, available through the box office, by calling (509) 624-1200, at www.ticketswest.com and at all TicketsWest outlets.
Tommy Emmanuel
Having begun performing at age 6, there’s not much the now 63-year-old Tommy Emmanuel hasn’t done.
The world-renowned guitarist has released dozens of albums, performed at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in 2000, was named a Certified Guitar Player by Chet Atkins and was appointed a member of the Order of Australia in 2010.
But even still, Emmanuel had more on his to-do list.
“I wanted to record an album of duets that could showcase my love of many styles, the challenge of rearranging some classic songs, and share the fun of total improvisation with players who do it on a level that we all marvel at!” he wrote on his website. “I also wanted the chance to sing with some of my favorite voices too.”
Emmanuel is referring to “Accomplice One,” the album of duets he released in January.
The album features Jason Isbell on a cover Doc Watson’s “Deep River Blues”; Amanda Shires on Madonna’s “Borderline,” re-arranged as a waltz; and Suzy Bogguss on “The Duke’s Message” and Jake Shimabukuro on “Rachel’s Lullaby,” both of which are Emmanuel originals.
The 16-track album also includes appearances from Mark Knopfler, Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Douglas, who will perform with Emmanuel at the Bing Crosby Theater on Monday.
“For me, recording is the same as playing live in front of an audience,” Emmanuel said. “I go for it as if it’s a show and my ‘accomplices’ did the same. I sincerely hope you, the listener, will enjoy this album of real honest work brought to life by artists who reach for the stars and always bring something special to the music.”
The Kingston Trio
Sixty years ago in October, the Kingston Trio’s self-titled debut album entered the Billboard album charts, propelled by the single “Tom Dooley.”
The song sold over 3 million copies, and the album would remain on the chart for four years. “The Kingston Trio” spent one week in the top spot in 1959 and was certified gold on Jan. 19, 1961.
With that album, founding members Dave Guard, Nick Reynolds and Bob Shane helped ignite the folk music revival of the late 1950s.
On the “Keep the Music Playing” tour, which comes to the Bing Crosby Theater on Tuesday, the current members of the trio – Tim Gorelangton, Bob Haworth and Mike Marvin – will celebrate the band’s storied career.
Gorelangton, Haworth and Marvin have strong connections to the original group.
Gorelangton is one of the few musicians outside of the Kingston Trio to have recorded with Reynolds, while the Spokane-born Haworth performed with the original trio for periods of time between 1985 and 1999 and returns to the band after 13 years away.
Marvin is the adopted son of founding member Nick Reynolds, who also acted as Marvin’s musical mentor.
This new generation of the Kingston Trio is still making a mark on the folk music world, having released its latest album, “Bloodlines Hold the Key,” in 2017.
If you go: 8 p.m. Tuesday; The Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave.; $30-$50, available through www.bingcrosbytheater.com.
Casting Crowns reschedule concert
Contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns has rescheduled its Spokane show, originally scheduled for Saturday, to Sept. 26.
According to lead singer Mark Hall, vocal issues are to blame for the cancellation of the “It’s Finally Christmas” tour.
“It is nothing that can’t be cured and I can’t recover from, but the only thing I can do right now is rest and be quiet,” he said in a statement.
Hall said he and the rest of the band are upset they can’t spend the holiday season with fans, but they’re looking forward to the fall tour.
“Until then, I’ve got to have a quiet Christmas,” he said. “I’ll be praying for you guys, and ask that you pray for us. Thank you so much for understanding. Our prayers are with you, and remember we’re all here for Only Jesus!
Casting Crowns released its latest album, “Only Jesus,” on Nov. 16.
Tickets to the “It’s Finally Christmas” tour will be honored at the rescheduled concert. Those unable to attend the Sept. 26 concert can request a refund before Dec. 31 by calling (800) 325-7328.
Northwest BachFest Winter Classics
Get ready to see, or rather hear, a lot more from Northwest BachFest.
Artistic Director Zuill Bailey and Executive Director Gertrude Harvey have put in a lot of work to expand both the number of concerts and locations, and they are now presenting BachFest events in March, May, July, August and December in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint and Walla Walla.
Three performances of the Winter Classics concert are planned in December.
After a performance at Foundry Vineyards in Walla Walla on Tuesday, the quartet of cellist Zuill Bailey, violinist Benjamin Breen, pianist Awadagin Pratt and violist Martin Sher will perform in at the Hagadone Event Center in Coeur d’Alene on Thursday.
This concert features performances of Robert Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 47 and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60.
As per the BachFest website, “the Schumann, full of lush, romantic melodies and one of the greatest works of its kind ever written, and the Brahms, one of the most dramatic chamber works ever written. Both may be love songs to Clara Schumann.”
The Winter Classics concert is 75 minutes and does not have an intermission.
Don’t worry, Spokane-based BachFest fans; the quartet will repeat the program on Dec. 9 at Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave.