Tucson classical music heats up for summertime

But that doesn't mean that once guest conductor Matthew Kasper leads the orchestra in the closing refrains of John Williams' unmistakable score from that landmark 1977 film, classical music in Tucson is packing it in for the summer.

In June, the violins, violas and cellos will sing courtesy of two summertime chamber music series — the venerable St. Andrew's Bach Society, which has produced its summer concert series for 38 years; and Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, which has been hosting summer concerts for more than a decade. 

Both feature local musicians, some of whom are set to play both series. Here's what you can expect. 

St. Andrew's Bach Society

Now in its 38th season, the society holds its concerts at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. Tickets are $15 general admission, $25 for premium seats through standrewsbach.org/tickets.

The series' first half features local musicians, including from the University of Arizona "that are just really great for us to have in Tucson," said Bach Society Director Ben Nisbet.

UA violin professor Elena Chernova-Davis and her husband, TSO violist Michael Davis, get things started June 7 with their Sonoros Duo performing a program of works by Mozart, Beethoven and Ponce. UA  piano instructor Rie Tanaka will accompany the pair.

Tanaka will have her own spotlight on July 19 when she performs a program of works inspired by the themes of war, death, hope and dreams.

Nisbet's bringing the Verona Quartet from Ohio's Oberlin College and Conservatory on Aug. 2. It will be the critically-acclaimed ensemble's first Tucson performance, which is one of Nisbet's goals. 

Introducing Tucson to artists "is 100% my intention," he said. "This series is a really great platform for that, and I also think it's important to make sure that this level of artists are not skipping Tucson in the summer."

In 2023, the Bach Society hosted cellist Tommy Mesa for his first Tucson concert. The following year, he returned as the TSO artist-in-residence.

Nisbet closes the series with "Bach and Ballet" on Aug. 30, featuring dancers from Ballet Tucson performing a series of solos and pas de deuxs, including two world premieres: Artistic Director Margaret Mullin's dreamlike "Clair de Lune Pas de Deux" and a collaboration with Tucson composer Dan Coleman to celebrate Ballet Tucson's 40th anniversary.

"It'll be something a little different. You know, it's not going to be your sort of curtains and lighting and all that stuff," Nisbet said. "It'll have a different vibe, but I think it's going to be really cool."

Also on that program, Tucson Symphony Orchestra oboist Max Adler and assistant concertmaster Ludek Wojtkowski will perform Bach's Concerto for Violin and Oboe.

Arizona Friends of Chamber Music

Arizona Friends of Chamber Music started hosting summer concerts in 2016 at venues around the city, including the UA's Holsclaw Hall. Performances since 2024 have been held at Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ, 122 N. Craycroft Road. Tickets are $45 or $12 for students with ID through arizonachambermusic.org, and concerts are held in the evenings.

The series opens June 3 with clarinetist Dario Brignoli and a bunch of his musical friends — violinists Elena Chernova-Davis and Grace Nakano; violist Michael Davis; and cellist Robert Chamberlain — performing works arranged for clarinet and string quartet, including Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Quintet in B-flat Major.

Also on the program is Bellini's “Deserto è il luogo” from "I Capuleti e i Montecchi"; Verdii's “La vita è inferno” from "La forza del destino"; Puccini's “E lucean le stelle” from "Tosca"; and Respighi's “Pini del Gianicolo” from "Pines of Rome." 

Violinist Lauren Roth-Gomez, the former TSO concertmaster who is now acting associate and assistant concertmaster with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, will team up with pianist John Milbauer on July 29 for a recital of works including Stravinsky's Suite Italienne for Violin and Piano. 

Roth-Gomez and Milbauer were colleagues at the University of Arizona, where Milbauer spent 14 years before leaving in 2023 to become dean of the DePaul University School of Music in Chicago.

The pair will also perform Debussy's Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor and Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in G major.

Bassist Philip Alejo and pianist Rie Tanaka will close out the series on Aug. 26 with a program of works by Reinhold Gliére, Shotakovich, Scriabin and Gubaidulina.