Arts & Events

The renowned Takács Quartet returned to Berkeley’s Hertz Hall on Saturday-Sunday, December 7-8, to perform all six of Bela Bartók’s String Quartets. Appearing under the auspices of Cal Performances, the Takács Quartet played Bartók’s string quartets 1,3,5 on Saturday evening, and the composer’s quartets 2,4,6 on Sunday afternoon. Due to Saturday evening’s stormy weather, I did not attend that concert; but I was present for Sunday’s 3:00 PM concert. The Takács Quartet is comprised of violinists Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes, cellist András Fejér, and violist Geraldine Walter. Only András Fejér remains of the founders of the original Takács Quartet, which began in Budapest in 1975. -more-

Every year for the past 22 years American Bach Soloists has performed Handel’s MESSIAH in Grace Cathedral during the early weeks of December. Last year, I found their performance brilliant, and moreover I had something of a revelation regarding how much the MESSIAH libretto by Charles Jennens suggests Christianity’s debt to earlier pagan religions. So this year I returned to Grace Cathedral hoping for another brilliant performance and maybe even a deepened understanding of the libretto. Well, the latter did ensue, but, unfortunately, this year’s performance lacked the vocal brilliance of last year’s superb cast. -more-

Worth Noting and Showing Up:

• Change to Shattuck Ave Vehicle Traffic between Allston and University begins Dec 16 https://www.cityofberkeley.info/City_Manager/Press_Releases/2019/2019-12-05_Shattuck_Avenue_becomes_a_two-way_street_across_University.aspx

• Impeach & Remove rallies Tuesday at 5:30 enter zip code for locations https://www.impeach.org/event/impeach-and-remove-attend/search/

• Holiday and Reduced Service Days for the Week of December 22 – 29
  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday are City reduced service days. Wednesday the City offices are closed for the Christmas Holiday