Southern California has long held the world in its spell.

It is a place of rich natural beauty—of sensuously rolling hills, of fragrant sage and orange blossoms, of carpets of golden poppies bending in gentle breezes, of grand mountains, of the blue Pacific.

It is a place of beautiful Mediterranean homes nestled in those rolling hills, of improbably long streets that seem to traverse many worlds, of exotic foods from every land, of Hollywood.

It is a place whose mystique has called to many who seek freedom and adventure and a life unfettered by the traditions of their homelands.

It is a place that has nurtured creativity—among expatriates who came here seeking artistic freedom and among homegrown artists—allowing for the blending of new and old, of one culture and another and another, and for the creation of new art forms and languages.

Among the many creations that this rich and unique culture has given rise to is Pacific Serenades—a singularly Southern California ensemble which has created its own traditions.

For eighteen years, we have taken our freedom to heart, freely expressing music in the ways we value most: with excellence, with a love of overt beauty, with a commitment to lyricism—to music which moves us and uplifts our spirits—and with the personal warmth and friendliness so natural to this, our home.

–Mark Carlson, Artistic Director
Pacific Serenades
18th Season – 2004
Chamber Music As A Living Art
Mark Carlson, Artistic Director

Of golden hills and dark forests

Sunday, February 1, 2004, 8:00PM
at Home of Diego Miralles & Michelle Feynman in Altadena
Monday, February 2, 2004, 4:00PM
at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena
Wednesday, February 11, 2004, 8:00PM
at The UCLA Faculty Center
Beethoven: Quartet in G major, Op. 18, No. 2 for string quartet
Catán: Divertimento for 2 violins, 2 violas, cello, and double bass
Mozart: Quintet in C major, K. 515 for 2 violins, 2 violas, cello
Phillip Levy, violinConnie Kupka, viola, violinSimon Oswell, violaSamuel Formicola, violaDavid Speltz, celloBruce Morgenthaler, double bass

From sage-filled canyons and verdant rivers

Sunday, March 7, 2004, 8:00PM
at Home of Evan & Ronna Binn in Tarzana
Monday, March 8, 2004, 4:00PM
at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena
Wednesday, March 17, 2004, 8:00PM
at The UCLA Faculty Center
Brahms: Sonata in G major, Op. 78 for violin and piano
Babcock: Pacific Serenades Trio for clarinet, viola, and piano
Bruch: Eight Pieces for clarinet, viola, and piano, Op. 83 (selected movements) for clarinet, viola, and piano
Bartók: Contrasts for clarinet, violin, piano
Gary Gray, clarinetMargaret Batjer, violinRoland Kato, violaAyke Agus, piano, violin

Blue waves, snowy peaks

Sunday, April 25, 2004, 8:00PM
at Home of John & Barbara McLoughlin in Brentwood
Sunday, April 25, 2004, 4:00PM
at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena
Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 8:00PM
at The UCLA Faculty Center
Brahms: Sonata in F major, Op. 99 for cello and piano
Lees: Tapestry for flute, clarinet, cello, and piano
Griffes: Poem for flute and piano
Beethoven: Trio in B flat major, Op. 11 for clarinet, cello, and piano
Mark Carlson, fluteGary Gray, clarinetDavid Speltz, celloAyke Agus, piano, violin

Like a warm zephyr

Sunday, June 6, 2004, 8:00PM
at Home of Elyse & Stanley Grinstein in Brentwood
Sunday, June 6, 2004, 4:00PM
at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena
Wednesday, June 9, 2004, 8:40PM
at The UCLA Faculty Center
Boccherini: String Quintet in C major, G. 310 for 2 violins, viola, and 2 cellos
Carlson: Six Bagatelles for flute and string quartet
Debussy: String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 for string quartet
Mark Carlson, fluteSungil Lee, violinConnie Kupka, viola, violinDavid Walther, violaDavid Speltz, celloBrook Speltz, cello