Paul Taylor Dance Co.
New York’s Paul Taylor Dance Company has been described as a stunning burst of momentum and a cascade of emotion, moving powerfully and powerfully moving as it brings audiences around the world equal measures of message and mastery. As if to prove it, Taylor’s company will visit downtown San Diego’s Spreckels Theatre Saturday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. under the auspices of La Jolla Music Society with his “Cloven Kingdom” project, set to John Herbert McDowell’s freewheeling arrangement of music by Arcangelo Corelli, Henry Cowell and Malloy Miller. The Spreckels is located at 121 Broadway. For more, see ljms.org or call 858-459-3728. Rolston String Quartet
Canada’s Rolston String Quartet was named among the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s 2016 “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30.” That’s part of the reason it’s touring Canada, the U.S., Europe and Israel this year, with one of its stops set for Sunday, Jan. 21 at The Scripps Research Institute Auditorium at 3 p.m. through La Jolla Music Society. The program features music by Beethoven, Schumann and Canadian pianist Sophia de Castri, and is preceded at 2 p.m. by a turn from the artists at San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory. The auditorium is at 10620 John J. Hopkins Drive in Torrey Pines. For more, see ljms.org or call 858-459-3728. ‘Color of Light’ Atheism and the clergy make odd bedfellows, but Henri Matisse’s membership in the former was no match for his sense of gratitude and fair play. Matisse, one of the 20th century’s greatest French classical painters, is getting his local day in court through Feb. 3. La Jolla’s Vantage Theatre, in association with Talent to aMuse Theatre Company, is presenting “The Color of Light,” Jessie Kornbluth’s world-premiere drama about Matisse the nonbeliever and “The Chapel at Venice,” his final work four years in the making, dedicated to a young nun who helped him through a tough convalescence. The play runs at downtown’s Tenth Avenue Center for the Performing Arts, 930 Tenth Ave. See vantagetheatre.comfor more, or call 619-940-6813. ‘Fascinating Rhythm’
The beat goes on as La Jolla Symphony and Chorus music director Steven Schick presents “Fascinating Rhythm,” a nod to the world of the tempo and pulse that defines the nature of music. Under the auspices of San Diego Symphony, the “It’s About Time” program runs to Feb 18 and features performances on an array of percussion instruments stretching across the stage. The project is designed to illuminate the web of musical partners that, whether they know it or not, span all of San Diego. The symphony’s Copley Symphony Hall is located at 750 B St. downtown. For more, see sandiegosymphony.com or call 619- 235-0804. ‘Cross Winds’
It has been a tough few years in France – a time of strong crosswinds from every direction. Paris-based circus artist, composer and percussionist Roland Auzet fights back on Feb. 10 and 11 in La Jolla Symphony and Chorus’ “Cross Winds,” a new percussion concerto written for and co-commissioned by UC San Diego graduate student Fiona Digney. The balm of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, with one of the most beautiful slow movements ever written, helps calm the currents. Steven Schick conducts. The venue is at 9500 Gilman Drive on the UC San Diego campus. For further information, visit lajollasymphony.com or call 858-534-4637.