The Revolution is Coming!

This one is for music lovers--which, hopefully, includes a great many of you.

There's a new kid in town, called the Classical Revolution.  It's all about bringing classical music to the masses, making it accessible to ordinary people, mostly free, and in everyday settings--meaning outside of concert halls.

 This grassroots movement started in San Francisco in 2006 and has spread to more than thirty chapters across the nation.  According to one chapter's home website, "Classical Revolution seeks to build community by bringing classical music to nontraditional venues such as bars and coffee shops."

 This past Friday, Aug. 17, I was fortunate to be able to attend one of their local concerts.  True to the organization's manifesto, it was held in a very simple venue, Shady Coffee & Tea, on Douglas Boulevard here in Roseville.  Everything was very informal--their dress, the dimly lit covered patio, the tables pushed aside and chairs placed in rows. 

Jennifer Reason - digital piano

Justine Hamlin - clarinet

 

But the music was wonderful!  Such talent!  Such joyous enthusiasm for the beautiful sounds they could produce from their instruments!  There were five musicians in all.  One played the digital piano--first with a solo piece, then as accompanist to the others in turn.  There was no program, so I don't know the composers and their works, but the music was more contemporary than Beethoven, Mozart, etc.  Some of it was very unusual, truly beautiful and energetic.

I took a few pictures, but you'll have to excuse the poor quality of the photos.  As I said, it was dimly lit, and I didn't want to use flash.  And all were so caught up in the performance that they moved constantly in their enthusiasm for the music.

Jai-Mo Chen - cello

Cathie Apple - flute and Liz Bardon - French horn

The next Classical Revolution Sacramento will be held this Thursday, Aug. 23, at 8:00, at Bows & Arrows, 1815 19th St.  You will be in for a very special treat if you can possibly make it.  You can find Classical Revolution Sacramento on Facebook.

Of course, some of you don't live anywhere near Sacramento or San Francisco (what a pity!), but you can see if there is a chapter near you.  If not now, keep on checking back, as there are new ones forming all the time.