January (2014) is . . .

January 2014 in Cincinnati is the beginning of a complete cycle of Beethoven string quartets by the Ariel Quartet, quartet-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the birthday of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra music director Louis Langrèe, with a CSO concert to celebrate (Jan. 10) and to start the new year, the annual “Boar’s Head and Yule Log” Festival at Christ Episcopal Church.

Details:

MYCincinnati
John Morris Russell, conductor
Jan. 30 -- 6:30 p.m.
St. Theresa of Avila Church
1175 Overlook Ave.

Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell conducts the MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra at St. Theresa of Avila Church in Price Hill. Free. Information at www.mycincinnatiorchestra.org

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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Christoph König, guest conductor
Colin Currie, percussion
Jan. 31 -- 8 p.m.
Feb. 1 -- 8 p.m.
Music Hall

Guest conductor Christoph König leads the CSO in Dvorak's Symphony No. 5 and Carl Maria von Weber's Overture "Der Freischütz." Guest artist is percussionist Colin Currie in "Veni, Veni Emmanuel" by James MacMillan. Tickets begin at $12 at (513) 381-3300, or order online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org

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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Jan. 31 -- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown

Appearing this week on the Washington Platform Friday Night Jazz Series are composer/pianist Kim Pensyl, with Michael Sharfe on bass and John Taylor in drums. No cover. $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.

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Events below this line have taken place

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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Jan. 10 -- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown

Appearing this week on the Washington Platform Friday Night Jazz Series is the Trio Pi -- Rob Allgeyer, piano, Michael Sharfe, bass and Jim Leslie, drums -- with special guests Sandy Suskind, flute, Brad Myers, guitar and Tim McCord, sax, who will play music from their new CD "Straight Up Swingin'" and Latin jazz from their CD "Eclypso."  No cover. $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.

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Christ Church Cathedral
Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival
Jan. 4 – 5 p.m.
Jan. 5 – 2:30 and 5 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church
318 E. Fourth St.
downtown

The Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival at Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati has been presented as a gift to the community every year since 1940. Admission is free, but tickets are required. NOTE: Tickets for this year’s event have been distributed, but there are usually “no-show” tickets available. It is suggested that those who wish tickets arrive 45 minutes prior to the performance and get on the waiting list. Information at boarsheadfestival.com or call (513) 521-BOAR (2627).

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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Louis Langrée, conductor
Hélene Grimaud, piano
Jan. 10 and 11 -- 8 p.m.
Music Hall

CSO music director Louis Langrée leads the CSO on his birthday (Jan. 11) in Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 and Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 with guest artist Hélene Grimaud. Tickets begin at $12. Call (513) 381-3300, or order online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org

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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Jan. 10 -- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown

Appearing this week on the Washington Platform Friday Night Jazz Series is the Trio Pi -- Rob Allgeyer, piano, Michael Sharfe, bass and Jim Leslie, drums -- with special guests Sandy Suskind, flute, Brad Myers, guitar and Tim McCord, sax, who will play music from their new CD "Straight Up Swingin'" and Latin jazz from their CD "Eclypso."  No cover. $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.

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Xavier Classical Piano Series
Benedetto Lupo
Jan. 12 -- 2:30 p.m.
Gallagher Center Theater
Xavier University

Xavier University's Classical Piano Series opens 2014 with pianist Benedetto Lupo. Tickets are $19 (keyboard side) and $17, seniors (60 and over) and students, $16 and $14. Students $3. Call (513) 745-3161.

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Bach Vespers for Epiphany
St. Thomas Schola Cantorum
Cincinnati Bach Ensemble
Jan. 12 -- 6 p.m.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
100 Miami Ave.
Terrace Park

Bach Vespers at St. Thomas presents Bach's Cantata "Susser Trost, mein Jesus kömmt," BWV 151 with the St. Thomas Schola Cantorum and Cincinnati Bach Ensemble led by Carlton Monroe. Soloists include alto Catherine Fishlock and tenor James Onstad, soprano and bass to be announced. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra principal flutist Randolph Bowman will be heard in a prelude recital at 5:45 p.m. Admission is free. Donations accepted.

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"The Gates of Justice" by Dave Brubeck
Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
Jan. 12 -- 7:30 p.m.
Mayerson Jewish Community Center
8485 Ridge Rd.

Dave Brubeck's "The Gates of Justice" is presented in honor of the 190th anniversary of Rockdale Temple. Soloists with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra led by Brett Scott are tenor Marco Panuccio, baritone Thom Mariner and pianist Julie Spangler. The chorus will include members of Cincinnati Camerata and the Rockdale Adult Choir. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call (513) 891-9900, or visit shalom@rockdaletemple.org

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Classical Revolution
Alisa Weilerstein, cello
Jan. 12 -- 8 p.m.
Northside Tavern
4163 Hamilton Ave.
Northside

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, artist-in-residence with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra this season will make a cameo appearance on Classical Revolution's January program at Northside Tavern. Joining her will be cellist Jon Silpayamanant of Louisville performing with projection and dancers as Camera Lucida, the Ohio River Brass Quintet and CSO cellist Alan Rafferty and his students. The in-house Revolution Quartet will offer readings as well. Free. Information at www.classicalrevolutioncincinnati.com

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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
John Storgårds, conductor
Pekka Kuusisto, violin
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Brian Isaac Phillips, director
Jan. 16 and -- 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 -- 8 p.m.
Music Hall

Guest conductor John Storgårds leads the CSO in "Shakespeare and Legend," featuring Tchaikovsky's "Hamlet" Fantasy-Overture, enhanced with dramatic readings by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Sibelius' "Lemminkäinen" Suite (Four Legends from the "Kalevala"). Guest artist in Peteris Vasks' Vox amoris (“Voice of Love”) is Pekka Kuusisto. Tickets begin at $12. Call (513) 381-3300, or order online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org

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University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
"A Moveable Feast"
Jan. 17 -- 6:30 p.m.
CCM Village

Sample all that CCM has to offer at this annual potpourri of artistic selections. Create your own menu and timetable of jazz, musical theater, piano, opera, drama, dance, orchestra E-Media video productions and more. Event benefits Friends of CCM in support of student travel funds and scholarships. Special ticket prices and limited seating. Information at (513) 556-2100

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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Jan. 17 -- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown

Appearing this week on the Washington Platform Friday Night Jazz Series are Dan Faehnle, guitar, Art Gore, drums, and Michael Sharfe, bass, joined for the second set by Rusty Birge on vibes. No cover. $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.

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Xavier Swing Series
Blue Wisp Big Band
Jan. 19 -- 3 p.m.
Gallagher Center Theater
Xavier University

Xavier University's Swing Series opens 2014 with the Blue Wisp Big Band. Tickets are $25, seniors (60 and over) $22, students $3. Call (513) 745-3161.

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University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Guest artist series
"Comala" by Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon
Jan. 19 -- 8 p.m.
Cohen Family Studio Theater

Visiting ensembles Eastman BroadBand and Alia Musica Pittsburgh present Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon's Pulitzer-nominated opera "Comala," based on texts by Mexican author Juan Rulfo. Also on the program are works by John Arrigo-Nelson, Federico Garcia and CCM faculty composer Michael Fiday. Admission is free.

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Chamber Music Cincinnati
Jennifer Koh, violin
Shai Wosner, piano
Jan. 21 -- 7:30 p.m.
Werner Recital Hall
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Chamber Music Cincinnati presents violinist Jennifer Koh and pianist Shai Woser in Leoš Janáček's Sonata for Violin and Piano, Jörg Widmann's Sommersonate and Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47 (“Kreutzer”).  Tickets are $25 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/397254, students $10 at the door, UC students free.

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Ariel Quartet
Beethoven cycle
Jan. 23 -- 8 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

The Ariel Quartet, string quartet-in-residence at CCM, opens its complete cycle of Beethoven quartets with the Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1, Quartet in F Minor, Op. 95 ("Serioso") and Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 127. Tickets are $20, $15 for non-UC students, UC students free, available at (513) 556-4183, or visit ccm.uc.edu

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Memorial Hall Signature Series
"Choirs by Night"
May Festival Chorus
Martin Luther King Choir
Jan. 24 -- 6:30 p.m. reception, 8 p.m. performance
Memorial Hall

The new Signature Series at Memorial Hall in Over-the Rhine continues with reception and open bar, historical exhibits and performances by the May Festival Chorus and Martin Luther King Chorale. Catered by A Catered Affair, Eat Well, Funky's and Cincinnati Cooks. Tickets are $40 at cincinnatimemorialhall.com
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Jan. 24 -- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown

Appearing this week on the Washington Platform Friday Night Jazz Series are Rusty Birge (vibes), Dan Dorff (keyboard, percussion) and Michael Sharfe (bass) who will perform a variety of music from their recording projects. No cover. $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.

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Postponed to Feb. 1, 2014, 10:30 a.m., Music Hall
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Lollipops Family Concert
"Circus of Sounds"
John Morris Russell, conductor
Jan. 25 -- 10:30 a.m.
Music Hall

The circus is the theme of this Lollipops Family Concert, to be led by Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell at Music Hall. Hear Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" and excerpts from Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals" and Kabalevsky's "The Comedians," with jugglers and clowns. Pre-concert activities begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Music Hall lobby. Admission is $7 for children, $12 for adults, at (513) 381-3300 and online at www.cincinnatipops.org

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Postponed to March 25, 8 p.m. Corbett Auditorium
Ariel Quartet
Beethoven cycle
Jan. 25 -- 8 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

The Ariel Quartet, string quartet-in-residence at CCM, opens its complete cycle of Beethoven quartets with the Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2, Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3 and Quartet in F Major, Op. 135. Tickets are $20, $15 for non-UC students, UC students free, available at (513) 556-4183, or visit ccm.uc.edu

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"The Sound of Music" by Rogers and Hammerstein
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
Jan. 17, 18, 23-25 -- 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 and 25 -- 2 p.m.
Jan. 19 and 26 -- 3 p.m.
Carnegie Theater
Covington, KY

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra led by music director James R. Cassidy presented a semi-staged production of Rogers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music" directed by Brian D. Robertson. Tickets are $25 at (859) 431-6216 and online at www.kyso.org
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Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Megan Hilty
John Morris Russell, conductor
Jan. 24 and 25 -- 8 p.m.
Jan. 26 -- 2 p.m.
Music Hall

Guest artist Megan Hilty performs Broadway hits and personal favorites with the Cincinnati Pops led by John Morris Russell. Tickets begin at $25 at (513) 381-3300 and online at www.cincinnatipops.org

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Xavier Classical Guitar Series
Edel Muñoz, guitar
Jan. 26-- 2:30 p.m.
Gallagher Center Theater
Xavier University

Xavier University's Classical Guitar Series opens 2014 with guitarist Edel Muñoz. Tickets are $15, seniors (60 and over) $12, students $3. Call (513) 745-3161.

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Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
Exhale Dance Tribe
Mischa Santora, conductor
Jan. 26 -- 4 p.m.
School for Creative and Performing Arts

The CCO, led by music director Mischa Santora, collaborates with the Exhale Dance Tribe in this "cosmic"-themed. concert featuring selections from "The Art of Fugue" by J.S. Bach, Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony, "Ramifications" by Ligeti and "Musica Celestis" by Aaron Jay Kernis. They call it "a journey from Chaos to Order, and through Suffering toward Salvation, evoking the evolution of the Cosmos and the promise of eternity," with "cutting edge movement" meeting "masterful music." For more about Exhale Dance Tribe, visit www.exhaledancetribe.com. Tickets are $25, $10 for children, at the door or online at www.ccocincinnati.org

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