St Mark's Lutheran Church, 1111 O'Farrell Street, SF 94109 (Map)(Tickets) Note that there are two performances, Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 4pm
Dawn Harms, Music Director
Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man
Beethoven - Fidelio Overture
Ravel - Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet & Strings
Grandjany – Aria for Harp and strings
Dan Levitan, harp
Hanson – Symphony No. 2 ("Romantic")
About Dan Levitan, harp Dan Levitan is Principal Harpist of three professional orchestras: Marin Symphony (since 1984), Symphony Silicon Valley (since its founding) and Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley. In addition to having performed with San Jose Symphony as Principal Harpist from 1978 until its closure in 2002, he has performed with the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet orchestras, and is sought after as a soloist with orchestras, choirs, and other ensembles throughout Northern California. Mr. Levitan's concerto performances by Bach (Johann Christian), Boieldieu, Debussy, Ginastera, Gliere, Mozart, Ravel, Reinecke, and Saint-Saëns with orchestras throughout the San Francisco Bay Area have been highly praised by local critics, who write of his 'impeccable virtuosity" (San Jose Metro), "virtual perfection"(Marin Independent Journal) and "precision and élan" (Mercury News). Internationally, Mr. Levitan was invited to perform two works for harp and string quartet at the Seventh World Harp Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, and was a semi-finalist in the prestigious 10th International Harp Competition in Israel. Mr. Levitan's first solo harp CD, "10th Anniversary Concert", was released in 1995. He is featured on two commercial cassettes: "Shades of Love", with flute and voice, and "Moonlight", featuring both solo harp and flute with harp. His recording credits also include Benjamin Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols for Chorus and Solo Harp", Claude Debussy's "Trio for flute, viola, and harp", works by Lou Harrison, and T.V. and film recordings. Soon to be released is a flute and harp recording that celebrates ethnic music. Born and educated in Philadelphia, Mr. Levitan received bachelor degrees in Music Performance and in Music Education from Temple University, both magna cum laude, and was named "Most Promising Musician" on graduation. He has studied with Margarita Montanaro, Co-Principal Harpist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, internationally acclaimed harpists Susann McDonald and Susanna Mildonian, and well-known San Francisco Bay Area harpists Anne Adams, Marcella DeCray, and the late Phyllis Schlomovitz.
Part of BARS' LGBTQ Composer and Performing Artist Series, which strives to redefine perceptions of LGBTQ music and increase awareness of the beauty, talents, and accomplishments of fellow LGBTQ individuals and groups.