Classical Notebook : Tibetan Monk Choir to Perform at CalArts

If the saying is true that music is an international language, it is just as true that it has many dialects. A few of the more unusual ones, at least to Western ears, will be coming to CalArts this month under its fledgling InterCultural Arts Project.

The first event is a concert, given by the 20-voice Gyuto Tantric choir of Tibet, at 8 p.m. tomorrow in the Main Gallery. Nick England, a professor of ethnomusicology and director of the project, explained that the program strives to bring artists from other cultures to the CalArts campus for a period, eventually up to 6 weeks, that will give students an opportunity to absorb some of the artists’ techniques.

Although the monks’ selections haven’t been announced (in fact, England said that he was searching for someone who speaks Tibetan to translate the text of the program), the music will be chosen from the monks’ customary prayers, ceremonies and lessons.

England said that in chanting, the monks sustain notes at the very bottom of the vocal register and through training are able to generate overtones, forming 3-note chords. England said there is a possibility that the group will also bring the long trumpets usually played between chants.

The second concert is an appearance by Sangrina Bunda, an ensemble that will perform Sumatran music in a concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Main Gallery of CalArts, 24700 McBean Parkway, in Valencia. Both concerts are free.

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In a more traditional vein, the Panocha String Quartet will open the Conejo Community Concert Assn. season with a concert at 3 p.m. today in the California Lutheran University Auditorium, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks.

The quartet, named after first violinist Jiri Panocha, ws formed in the early 1970s when the members were students at the Prague Conservatory. Tickets for the four-concert season are $20, $10 for students and $50 for a family plan, which includes parents and children up to college age.

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West German cellist Gerhard Mantel will give a master class from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday in Room 240 of the Music Building at Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St. Admission for the classes, which are also open to high school musicians, is $5 at the door. Information is available at (818) 885-3163.

Next Sunday, Mantel will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Gamba Sonata No. 2, Schumann’s “Fantasy Pieces,” Chopin’s Sonata in G Minor and Sandor Veress’ “Sonata Per Violoncello Solo” at 5 p.m. in the CSUN Recital Hall. Tickets are $5 and $2 for students and seniors.

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American Music Week will be marked next Sunday in a concert by pianist Max Lifchitz, who will perform his own music along with works by George Crumb, Luciano Berio and CSUN’s Daniel Kessner. The performance will be at 8 p.m. in the CSUN Recital Hall. Tickets are $5 and $2.

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CSUN’s Faculty Artist Series will feature a concert by violinist Joseph Genualdi, who will perform works by Faure, Beethoven and Grieg at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 in the CSUN Little Theater. Genualdi, formerly the associate concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony and concertmaster of the New York City Opera, served 6 years as first violinist for the Muir String Quartet. Tickets are $5 and $2.

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The CSUN University Chorus, under the direction of Elmer Heerema, will perform at 3 p.m. Nov. 20 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 18425 Kittridge St., in Reseda. The program has yet to be announced. Tickets are $5 and $2.

Also on Nov. 20, Daniel Kessner will conduct the CSUN New Music Ensemble in a concert at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Tickets are $5 and $2.

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Oboist Allan Vogel will be featured in a faculty recital at CalArts’ Disney Music Hall in a performance at 8 p.m. Nov. 30. Tickets are $5 and $2.