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Central Library Concert Series
The San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common is pleased to announce the schedule for the Fall 2022 Concert Series.
Now in its 67th season, the Central Library Concert Series will commence with one of our favorite annual events, the TOY PIANO FESTIVAL, in partnership with UC San Diego Library. This program returns live this year with director Scott Paulson, guest artists, new compositions, and a traveling museum of historic toy pianos. The Fall Series will also feature Central Library debuts by local preeminent artists and visiting ensembles from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Poland. We’re also pleased to partner with the San Diego Youth Symphony to share their annual Concerto Competition with our downtown community. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear some of the best young talent in the region!
Please note: Dates and times vary this season, please check concert details carefully.
You will find additional information about these concerts on our Events Calendar.
Upcoming Concerts:
The 22nd Annual Toy Piano Festival
In partnership with UC San Diego Library
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
In partnership with UC San Diego Library
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Scott Paulson, Festival Director
Featuring Sue Palmer, Kay Etheridge, Christian Hertzog, Nadiyah Albee, Kenneth Herman, Barbara Scheidker, and Satomi Saito
Featuring Sue Palmer, Kay Etheridge, Christian Hertzog, Nadiyah Albee, Kenneth Herman, Barbara Scheidker, and Satomi Saito
American composer John Cage‘s birthday is fast approaching and that means that the Annual Toy Piano Festival will make a special stop at the Neil Morgan Auditorium. An impressive roster of accomplished local musicians and composers will premiere new works for toy piano. The fest has become a family favorite, and all ages are welcome. In addition to exciting modern fare, some famous musical clock tunes from centuries past will give a timely nod to composers of earlier eras.
Duo Apollon
Art Songs for Voice and Guitar
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Anastasia Malliaras, soprano
Aaron Haas, guitar
Aaron Haas, guitar
Join award-winning Los Angeles-based soprano Anastasia Malliaras and guitarist Aaron Haas in an intimate exploration of classical song, featuring works by de Falla, Rodrigo, Seiber, Schubert, and more.
The Joshua White Trio
Tuesday, October 11, 2022 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Joshua White, piano
Rob Thorsen, bass
Tyler Kreutel, drums
Rob Thorsen, bass
Tyler Kreutel, drums
Joshua White is one of the music scene’s most creative and technically accomplished pianists. Praised by legendary musicians like Herbie Hancock as having “immense talent” and lauded for his “daring and courageous approach to improvisation … on the cutting edge of innovation,” Joshua has distinguished himself as a formidable leader of distinct voice among his peers. Joined by Rob Thorsen on bass and Tyler Kreutel on drums, don't miss this opportunity to see Joshua White's debut on the Central Library stage.
The San Diego Youth Symphony Concerto Competition
Tuesdays, November 8 & November 15, 2022 | *6:00pm* | Neil Morgan Auditorium
SDYS offers two separate yearly concerto competitions to further its individual members’ performance opportunities. One competition is for Showcase Program (intermediate level) musicians and the other is for Ovation Program (advanced level) musicians. Students that advance to the final round will perform movements from various concerti in an hour-long recital. Winners of the competition will perform their solos accompanied by a large ensemble in SDYS' season finale concerts in May 2023.
Susan Merdinger, Piano
Four Centuries of Variations
Four Centuries of Variations
Saturday, November 19, 2022 | *1:30 - 2:30pm* | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Steinway Artist Susan Merdinger presents her program Four Centuries of Variations, featuring stunning piano works by Beethoven, Schumann, and local award-winning composer Aaron Alter, as well as Franz Liszt's ever popular Paganini Etude No.6 based on the 24th Violin Caprice. A Two-time Gold Medalist of the Global Music Awards and Winner of the American Prize, Merdinger will enhance her performance with commentary on the genre of variations from Baroque to Modern times.
The Polish Violin Duo | Polish Music on Stage (US Edition)
Music for two violins – from the era of virtuosos to modern times
Music for two violins – from the era of virtuosos to modern times
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak, violins
The Polish Violin Duo has been one of the most interesting debuts on the Polish classical music scene in the last few years. The ensemble consists of two charismatic musicians – Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak, whose energy in concert forms a perfect combination with their musical sensitivity. Each of their concert appearances turns into a one-of-a-kind artistic spectacle, in which the audiences have a chance to get to know and acquire a taste for chamber music dedicated to a pair of violins, a repertoire that is rarely performed in today’s philharmonic and concert halls. The Polish Violin Duo’s programmes strongly feature works written by Polish composers in addition to the standard international repertoire. This concert will highlight Virtuosic Etudes-Caprices Op. 18 for two violins by Henryk Wieniawski as well as works by Grażyna Bacewicz, Romuald Twardowski, and Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk.
Polish Music on Stage is realized by the National Institute of Music and Dance and co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Inspiring Culture programme.
Please browse our Encore Concert Series YouTube page for recordings of previous concert performances, and we plan to film and share a selection of concerts from our upcoming 2022-2023 Season.
The Central Library Concert Series has been a San Diego Public Library signature program since the 1950s and features local, national, and international chamber musicians.
The Concert Series is made possible by the Friends of the Central Library, the San Diego Public Library matching fund program, the San Diego Library Foundation, and public and private donations. All programs are FREE and open to the public. Most Concert Series programs are approximately one hour long with no intermission and are held at the Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown in East Village, San Diego. For more information, call the Central Library's Art, Music and Recreation Section at 619-236-5800.
Artists and programs are subject to change.
Where: Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. The Auditorium is across the courtyard from the library entrance.
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Programs usually last one hour with no intermission.
Cost: Programs are free and open to the public.
Parking: Two hours of free parking with validation are available at the library, and additional parking is available at public spaces within walking distance of the library. The Central Library is two blocks from the Park & Market trolley stop (Orange Line).