The Chamber Music Society of Sacramento continues its tradition of programming popular Baroque works in December, with 7:30 p.m. concerts on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Davis and Sunday, Dec. 8, in Sacramento.

Featured will be music by J.S. Bach (a violin sonata and a trio sonata) and Antonio Vivaldi (the endlessly popular “Four Seasons,” in a chamber version). Rather than the customary pianist, the keyboard parts will be provided by guest harpsicordist Jonathan Salzedo, who lives in the Bay Area.

Violinist William Barbini, a longtime resident of El Macero and the artistic director of the Chamber Music Society, will be featured in the Vivaldi. A graduate of the Julliard School, Barbini became a member of the New York Philharmonic. While in New York, he performed frequently in chamber music ensembles. He was first violinist with the Gramercy String Quartet, the resident ensemble at Lehman College, Fordham University in the Bronx.

Barbini came to Sacramento in 1983 to serve as concertmaster of the Sacramento Symphony. A year later, he joined the faculty at Sacramento State. Barbini has appeared as soloist and concertmaster with numerous California orchestras. In recent years, he also has served on the faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory.

Performing the Violin Sonata in E Major (BWV 1042) of J.S. Bach will be Kineko Okumura, Barbini’s wife. Born in Tokyo, she came to this country for studies at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School of Music. She became a frequent substitute with the New York Philharmonic and principal second violin with the New Jersey Symphony.

In 1983, she joined the Sacramento Symphony, where she appeared as soloist. Together with her husband, she performs chamber music extensively across Northern California.

Also on the program will be the Trio Sonata in G Major (BWV 1039). According to flutist Mathew Krejci of the Chamber Music Society, “Bach originally wrote it for two flutes, then wrote a version for two gambas. In our version we will pair a flute and a violin.”

Specifically, Krejci — a longtime faculty member at the University of the Pacific, and flute principal with the Sacramento Symphony and Sacramento Philharmonic — will be paired with Okumura.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Congregation Bet Haverim, 1715 Anderson Road in Davis, and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at St . Paul’s Episcopal Church, 15th and J streets in Sacramento.

Season and individual tickets are available by subscription or at the door. Tickets for this concert are $22-$28 general and $12 for students. For more information, visit www.cmssacto.org.

William Barbini and Kineko OkumuraW

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