"FRIDAYS with FRIENDS"

Corey Jamason
Harpsichordist Corey Jamason has been playing with ABS for two decades, bringing in stellar notices such as this rave from SFCV about a performance of Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue during an ABS performance: "This was, put simply, the best performance I’ve ever heard of this piece…his harpsichord touch was phenomenal, and those listeners who believe the instrument incapable of dynamic contrast could have received a sharp corrective from Jamason’s ebbs and tides in this fantasy."

Born in New York City, Corey has been fascinated with baroque music ever since he was a young piano student attempting ("poorly" in his own humble and understated opinion) to imitate Glenn Gould. An abundance of harpsichords at his undergraduate school and the generous guidance of Anthony Newman led him to dedicate himself completely to historical keyboards. Degrees from Yale and Indiana Universities and studies with Richard Rephann and Elisabeth Wright followed. In 2001, he joined the faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he teaches historical keyboards and is chair of the historical performance program. 

Corey has some wonderful things to share with us. Just click on the video below to get started ...
Q: How have you coped with sheltering-in-place?

I’ve been keeping busy by exploring new musical projects and by doing a lot of reading, walking, and watching movies. I feel so fortunate to be able to do so much work from home, to experience so much art, and to have my health. I have coped by allowing myself to feel and experience joy in the people and things I love, I am grateful for so much. 
pictured above: teaching at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Q: These days, lots of people are sharing lists of favorite books, movies, that might be enjoyed by others. Do you have any recommendations?

I’ve realized recently that I’ve forgotten so many details of the books I’ve loved in my life that I can experience them almost as though for the first time. In recent weeks I’ve had a wonderful time re-visiting works by the incredible Brontë sisters: Ann’s Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall , Emily’s Wuthering Heights , and Charlotte’s Jane Eyre . As I read their incredible books at this point in my life, several decades after I first read them, my amazement at their works grows and grows. Their books are filled with a charity of feeling, forgiveness, a willingness to give people a second chance, an understanding that human beings are complicated. The Brontës were so modern.
pictured at right: Corey on a beach - "it's one of my happy places!"

Q: You have many other strong interests. Have the past months given you a chance to enjoy those other pursuits?

I think my idea of an ideal day is to wander around looking at buildings all day. I’ve lived in the Western Addition neighborhood in San Francisco for almost 20 years now and still see so many new things every time I leave home. The Victorian and early 20th-century buildings are very baroque in their way, riddled with ornaments, whimsical shapes, unique combinations of styles. Each block has unique rhythmic energy. Endless variety, every block is its own work of art in so many ways, unique, collaborative, and very often silly. I love it here.
pictured above: How it all got started.

Q: Our audiences love you and your performances. And we’re so happy that you love to be with us at ABS. Are there any standout reasons why you look forward to your future projects with ABS?

I’m so much looking forward to resuming our exploration of the music we love together , to being with all my incredible ABS colleagues, with the young artists who come to the Academy, and with the amazing ABS audience.
François Couperin (1668-1733)

Les Barricades Mystérieuses ("The Mysterious Barricades")
from Ordre 6ème de clavecin (Pièces de Clavecin, Book Two, 1717)
Be well and stay well!
from all of us at ABS
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