Classical Music News for November/December 2005:

CHRISTOPHER PARKENING AND JUBILANT SYKES IN CONCERT

COSTA MESA, CA -- Guitarist Christopher Parkening and bass-baritone Jubilant Sykes will team up for a holiday-season concert at Orange County Performing Arts Center on Nov. 27 at 4 pm.

Parkening, hailed by his late mentor Andres Segovia as "one of the most brilliant guitarists in the world," occupies a special place in the musical world. Raised in L.A. and still a Malibu resident, Parkening is a virtuoso in every sense. As critic Michael Crabb noted, "It starts with a technical mastery of the guitar that is so flawless and seemingly effortless that you almost forget it's there. Instead, audiences are captivated by the sheer expressiveness of his playing. Whether coaxing a gentle lullaby from his guitar or setting it on fire with dramatic Latin passion, Parkening is always the consummate musician."

Sykes is a classically trained singer who is as adept at rendering operetic arias as Broadway hits and pops. He and Parkening have known each other since the late 80s, when the music director at the church they both attended urged them to combine their rare musical talents. Despite their busy independent careers, they have been performing collaborative projects since 1996. An earlier touring Braziliana program was a local audience favorite.

December highlights at OCPAC include the Pacific Symphony performing Grieg's Piano Concerto and Pacific Chorale's Tis the Season. Call (714-556-2787 or visit ocpac.org   

      
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