Arts & Events

Continuing her multi-year tour performing all of Mozart’s Piano Concertos, Mitsuko Uchida returned to Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall on Sunday afternoon, March 23, where she again joined forces with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in Mozart’s Piano Concertos #18 and #21. Uchida’s collaboration with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra dates back to 2016, when she assumed the position of An Artistic Partner of this ensemble. It is a felicitous collaboration, and the musicians of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra respond enthusiastically to Mitsuko Uchida’s leadership from the piano. Particularly notable in this concert was the work of flautist Chiara Tonelli, who was featured prominently in both Mozart concertos and in the Mladi for Wind Sextet of Leoś Janáček. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 18 in B-flat Major, K. 456, was written for the 26-year old Maria Theresia von Paradis, who, despite being blind, was an exceptionally talented and much sought after piano soloist. As a friend of the Mozart family, she asked Wolfgang to write a piano concerto for her to play in a forthcoming tour in Paris. Wolfgang happily complied and composed this rather feminine work, which shows off the delicacy and gentle, lyrical style of Maria Theresia von Paradis’s technique. -more-

The renowned Vienna Philharmonic opened a 3-day visit to Berkeley on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, under the auspices of Cal Performances. On Wednesday’s program were Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551, “Jupiter,” and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major. The Vienna Philharmonic was conducted by Canadian-born Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Since 2018 Nézet-Séguin has been Music Director of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, adding this prestigious post to his directorship of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2012 and Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000. Nézet-Séguin’s assumption of The Montreal post came at the young age of 25 years, making him a notable up-and-coming conductor in the world. -more-

Worth Noting:

Council returns from recess with Special Council meeting at 4 pm on Adoption of Cal Fire Map, Adoption of Fire code Amendments followed with regular meeting scheduled to start at 6 pm. -more-

Worth Noting:

April 28, 2025 at 5 pm City Council will hold a special meeting (in person and on zoom) to consider the Ceasefire Resolution passed by the Peace and Justice Commission last September 30, 2024.

To comment email council@berkeleyca.gov

Link to Activist’s Diary comment on the Ceasefire Resolution, Israel and Palestine. https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2025-04-01/article/51051?headline=A-BERKELEY-ACTIVIST-S-DIARY-Ceasefire-Resolution-to-be-heard-by-council-on-Monday-April-28-at-5-pm---Kelly-Hammargren



The City of Berkeley notice sent on April 24 2025 states, “The City Council public hearing on zoning amendments to encourage middle housing, scheduled for next Tuesday, April 29, is CANCELED…” and there will be a public hearing on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 on the rezoning of R-1A to R2.

Link to notice: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CABERKE/bulletins/3dd8065



MIDDLE HOUSING REMAINS as item 30 on the AGENDA DESPITE CITY NOTICE THAT IT HAS BEEN CANCELED. It will supposedly be pulled at the meeting.



WARNING: The notice implies all Middle Housing consideration is cancelled, however, the public hearing relates only to R-1A to R-2, the Middle Housing agenda item states that the General Plan Amendments on Middle Housing relate to areas currently zoned R-1, R-1A, R2, R-2A and MU-R (low-density residential districts) with effective date of September 1, 2025. We need to watch there is no sleight of hand with the Planning Department and Council proceeding for a vote on zones R-1, R-2A and MU-R when the public is not in attendance to comment believing it is canceled.



Quick Look: -more-

Worth Noting: -more-