$15 youth, $25 Senior/Student, $30 general admission
Tickets available through Eventbrite.
Described as one of the finest soprano saxophone artists of the present generation, Michael Hernandez presents a solo saxophone recital that reinterprets standard repertoire to the saxophone, as well as introduces new works, written specifically for Michael, that will leave you in awe.
“Hernandez’s rich and lush tone offers an unfettered palette of colors that constantly react to the emotional need of the music. His musical intelligence, his talent and his spirit of adventure make him a strong musical collaborator.”
-Nicole Paiement, Artistic Director/Conductor Opera Parallèle, San Francisco
Program:
Sonata No. 2 in C minor TWV 41:c3, Georg Philipp Telemann
Drei Romanzen Op. 94, Robert Schumann
River * (2010), Ola Gjeilo
The Journey* (2012), Karalyn Schubring
And the pleasure blooms to die….*(2022), Juan Sebastián Cardona Ospina
Discrete Structures* (World Premiere), Marc Mellits
Episodes*(2007), Ellen Taaffe Zwilich
*denotes work written for Michael Hernandez
Michael Hernandez, soprano saxophone; Philip Jung, piano accompanist
Join us for a free post-concert talk on Dismantling Elitism and Classism in Art Music, in partnership with the United Against Hate Campaign!
Music has been called the universal language, yet the classical music industry is often defined by elitism, racism, and classism. From prestigious pedigrees to exclusionary repertoires that center the "Old, Dead, White Guy," the system creates barriers for too many talented musicians.
Calliope is committed to dismantling these barriers and promoting pathways to success for those excluded by the traditional system. Join us for a conversation with soloist Michael Hernandez and fellow Calliope Community Members as we discuss their experiences with prejudice and brainstorm ways to build a more accessible future for all.
Artist Profiles
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Concert Saxophonist Michael Hernandez has been described as one of the leading soprano saxophone artists of his generation. His performances have captivated audiences in concert halls across Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, France, Holland, Austria, Italy, the UK as well as North and South America. Michael has been invited to hold residencies at several music festivals throughout the U.S. including Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, Music in the Mountains, Hot Springs Music Festival, National Music Festival, Ethos New Music Festival, The Festival of New American Music, the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, Festival South and the Oklahoma State Contemporary Music Festival. Recently Hernandez has appeared as guest soloist with the Brooklyn Symphony Phoenix Symphony Guild, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Redwood Symphony, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Santa Cruz Symphony, The Hot Springs Festival Orchestra, The National Music Festival Orchestra, Echo Chamber Orchestra, The Monterey Symphony, San Jose Wind Symphony, and Colombia’s Banda Municipal de Manizales, among others. He has been featured on WPRB’s Classical Discoveries - Viva 21st Century, WCNY Classic FM’s Fresh Ink, and WNED Buffalo Toronto Public Media’s Classical Stage, and has been broadcasted multiple times nationwide on NPR’s Performance Today. Additionally, Michael has been featured on albums from Mark's Records and Naxos Record labels. Recent highlights include guest performances at BachFest in Leipzig (Germany), Balaton Saxophone Festival (Hungary), the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Szczecin International Saxophone Festival (Poland), Utrecht Bartholomeus Gasthuis (Holland), the Cité de la Musique de Strasbourg (France), Hanns Eisner Musikhochshule (Germany), Ducal Castle (Poland), The SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco War Memorial, Roulette Intermedium (Brooklyn), Manhattan School of Music, SpectrumNYC, SoundWired Chicago, Roche Family Visiting Artist Series (PA), Fairmont Chamber Music Society (WV), Berkeley Chamber Performances (CA), El Dorado Chamber Concerts (CA), Community Concerts at Second of Baltimore (MD), The Artist Series (FL), Jacksonville’s Friday Musicale (FL), Downto wn Chamber Series (AZ), Music in the Mansion (CA) and countless others. As the founding soprano chair of the acclaimed MANA Quartet, Michael made history in 2009 when MANA became the first saxophone quartet to win the Alice Coleman Grand Prize at the 63rd Annual Coleman Chamber Music Competition. He also earned First Prize in the National MTNA Chamber Music Competition in 2007 and the Beverly Hills National Audition in 2017. Michael is the Co-Founder and owner of MANA Mouthpieces Inc., and frequently lectures on Music Entrepreneurship at colleges and festivals across the U.S. and Germany. An endorsing artist for MANA Mouthpieces, D'Addario Woodwinds, Key Leaves, RooPads, and Lefreque Sound Solutions, he performs on historical saxophones crafted to the specifications of the instrument’s inventor, Adolphe Sax. Currently, Michael serves as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Music Entrepreneurship at San Jose State University.
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Philip Jung holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School and a Master of Music degree, “Magna Cum Laude”, from Tel Aviv University. He studied with distinguished pedagogues including Prof. Arie Vardi, Prof. Matti Raekallio, and John McCarthy, and has earned numerous honors, among them a four-year consecutive scholarship from the Chopin Foundation and first prize at the TAU Interschool Competition.
He has performed internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician, appearing across the United States, Europe, and Israel in venues ranging from intimate assemblies to major concert halls. His artistry combines technical mastery with profound musical insight, shaped by years of performance and a dedication to the highest standards of interpretation.
In addition to his performing career, Philip serves as Director of Keytone Academy, where he mentors the next generation of musicians through individualized, rigorous training.