Meeting of the Minds: Seven Performances that Each Reflect One-of-a-Kind Artistic Collaborations
Better Together
One thing that we can confidently say about Cal Performances artists is that each one is among the very best at what they do. And while each artist is incredible in their own right, when titans of live performance combine their efforts, the possibilities truly expand, evolving entirely new experiences for both artist and audience alike! In this article, we highlight a few programs across the 2025–26 season that represent special (and, in some cases, even unlikely!) collaborations. Below, you’ll find brief context for each individual artist, and then hear from the artists themselves about what makes these collaborations so exciting and fruitful.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Since the late 1990s, he has choreographed more than 50 substantial works of dance, noted for their visceral and emotive sensibilities. His many accolades include two Olivier Awards, three Ballet Tanz awards for best choreographer, and the Kairos Prize.
Antony Gormley
Antony Gormley is widely acclaimed for his sculptures, installations, and public artworks that investigate the relationship of the human body to space. His creations have taken up both temporary and permanent residence internationally, and his many honors include prestigious sculpture awards—as well the title Officer of the British Empire (OBE)!
Szymon Brzóska
Composer Szymon Brzóska’s works explore the synergy between music, movement, and image, and his colorful and atmospheric musical language lends itself well to dance. Specifically, this language can be placed somewhere between contemporary avant-garde and expanded tonality with a touch of minimalism.
Monks of Shaolin Temple
Based at the Shaolin Temple in China’s Henan Province, these Buddhist monks have become internationally recognized, studied, and admired for their impressive skills in kung fu paired with—and considered inseparable from—their dedication to spirituality.
Better Together
In Sutra, 20 monks interpret Cherkaoui’s martial arts-inspired choreography, with clever set design by Gormley and a live music score by Brzóska. Speaking about how this particular collaboration with the monks came about, Cherkaoui shared:
“I fell in love with kung fu when I was a child, awed by the high-flying kicks, shadowboxing, and somersaults that had made blockbusters of the movies of Bruce Lee. But as an adult, my interest shifted more towards the philosophy underpinning the form—the idea that all living creatures are part of a universal energy and that the movements of kung fu are a means of channeling that force.”
Angelique Kidjo
A five-time Grammy Award winner, internationally acclaimed musician, and advocate, Angélique Kidjo has been hailed as “Africa’s premier diva.” As a performer, Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin and fuses them with elements of R&B, funk, and jazz music, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America; and her striking voice, stage presence, and fluency in multiple cultures and languages have expanded her following across national borders.
Yo-Yo Ma
Ma is most commonly recognized for his work as a classical cellist, having recorded more than 120 albums and won 19 Grammy Awards for his unparalleled playing. Underpinning his immense musical career is a foundational belief that fostering connections through arts and culture brings communities together to stimulate imagination and reinforce our humanity.
Better Together
In the performance, these two endlessly curious musicians come together to search beyond the edges of their musical backgrounds, exposing the ways we have all been connected for a very long time; it’s a collaboration that asks us to joyfully question the tenets of genre and tradition that underpin our cultural thinking.
Anne Sofie von Otter
The mezzo-soprano retains true diva status as the superlative Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier) of her generation. Internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s finest singers, von Otter has been associated with Carlos Kleiber, Claudio Abbado, and Sir Colin Davis, and is known for genre-crossing collaborations with the likes of Elvis Costello, Brad Mehldau, and Rufus Wainwright.
Kristian Bezuidenhout
Kristian Bezuidenhout is one of today’s most notable and exciting keyboard artists, equally at home on the fortepiano, harpsichord, and modern piano. Bezuidenhout is an internationally recognized musician, offering powerful performances as soloist, in recital, and alongside leading ensembles; his solo recital on Cal Performances’ 2022–23 season was reflective of his incredible virtuosity, and instantly endeared him to Berkeley audiences!
Better Together
In this performance, the two supremely talented and emotive musicians come together seamlessly to explore Schubert’s Schwanengesang song cycle, which moves from love and despair to sorrow and serenity. Of the collaborators’ creative partnership and friendship, von Otter shared:
“Kris and I hit it off at once both socially and musically. We love talking about music and having a good old natter about the goings on in the musical world. Kris is really into all kinds of classical music and reads and goes to concerts whenever he can—it’s lovely to hear his latest. Musically speaking, he is a very open and listening type of musician, and he seems to almost instinctively know what I am going to do before I do it. Our recent staged collaboration (called Eine Winterreise) with Christoph Loy at Theater Basel of Schubert’s songs and piano pieces was a real treat; I got to listen to all of Kris’ fine nuances on a wonderful period instrument all through the rehearsal period and all the 10 shows we did. He works magic and the audience loves him.”
Takács Quartet
Having just celebrated its 50th season, the renowned Takács Quartet continues to deepen its connections to timeless masterworks and enliven the string quartet repertoire through fresh artistic collaborations. The award-winning string ensemble is made up of Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes (violins), Richard O’Neill (viola), and András Fejér (cello).
Jordan Bak
Award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak has achieved international acclaim as a trailblazing artist, praised for his radiant stage presence, dynamic interpretations, and fearless power. Though he is revered for his expertise with the canonical works of classical music, he is also a proud new music advocate and has given world premieres for important works of our time.
Better Together
For its first concert on the 2025–26 season, Takács Quartet is joined by Jordan Bak in his Cal Performances debut for a rare performance of Mozart’s revelatory viola quintets in C major (K. 515) and G minor (K. 516). Richard O’Neill, Takács Quartet violist, shares:
“Mozart’s viola quintets hold a special place in the chamber music canon, with the added viola as the secret ingredient in their sonorous blend. We are thrilled to collaborate with violist Jordan Bak, whose playing first impressed me while judging the Juilliard School’s concerto competition (which he won).” Of the program, he shared, “It’s remarkable that these two masterpieces received so little attention—and Mozart so little reward—upon publication. The luminous C major and the tragic G minor quintets capture the full range of human experience, from its heights to its depths, and everything in between. In the C major, be on the lookout for its sinfonia concertante-like Andante, and in the G minor, the chiaroscuro struggle that permeates throughout.”
Jordi Savall
A long-time Berkeley favorite and regular performer on Cal Performances’ early music series, Savall is one of the world’s foremost interpreters and performers within the genre, and is revered for his work as a researcher, gambist, and conductor. He has dedicated much of his more than 50-year career to reviving and unearthing early music gems.
La Capella Reial de Catalunya
Jordi Savall and his late wife, the exceedingly talented Montserrat Figueras (both of whom have made many trips to Berkeley over the years) founded this Grammy Award-winning vocal group as one of the first devoted to the performance of Golden Age music and consisting exclusively of Hispanic and Latin voices. The ensemble specializes in the recovery and performance based on historical principles of the polyphonic and vocal music of Spain and Europe from the Middle Ages and Golden Age up to the 19th century.
Hespèrion XXI
This early music instrument ensemble was founded by Savall and Montserrat Figueras, Lorenzo Alpert, and Hopkinson Smith as a way of recovering and disseminating the rich musical repertoire prior to the 19th century on the basis of historical criteria and the use of original instruments. Their performances are informed and complemented by rigorous research on the music of the period between the Middle Ages and the Baroque.
Tembembe Ensamble Continuo
This Mexico City-based chamber group is dedicated to the research and dissemination of Hispanic Baroque music, thoughtfully connecting it to traditional music from Mexico and Latin America more broadly. The group has been known to play, dance, and sing in lively concerts that immerse audiences in important musical traditions of the past.
Better Together
This performance, which is a follow-up to Savall’s Routes of Slavery program, honors the more than 25 million people enslaved by Western nations throughout history. Savall is joined on stage by nearly three dozen musicians, including Hespèrion XXI and La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Tembembe Ensamble Continuo, and special guest performers from Canada, Guinea, Guadeloupe, Mali, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela who place their rich musical traditions in dialogue with Spanish and European forms. Cuban singer Teresa Yanet, who performs on the program, shared:
“Being part of the A Sea of Music project with maestro Jordi Savall has been a true gift. Sharing the stage with incredible musicians from Africa, Mexico, Brazil, the United States, and other places has allowed me to experience music in an even deeper way. What has impacted me the most is all that I’ve learned, not only musically, but also on a personal level. There’s something magical about approaching music with an ancient vision, almost like traveling through time, but with the energy and talent of exceptional musicians. It has been a unique experience that has filled my soul.”
Lara Downes
Lara Downes is celebrated for her dynamic work as a piano soloist; recording artist; an NPR personality as host of her popular video show, Amplify with Lara Downes; and the host of “Evening Music with Lara Downes” on the Bay Area’s own classical radio station, KDFC. Downes’ musical roadmap seeks inspiration from the legacies of history, family, and collective memory, excavating a broad landscape of music to create projects that serve as gathering spaces for her listeners to find common ground and shared experience.
Judy Collins
This award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. Collins is celebrated for her strong history of activism; since the 1960s, she has evoked both the idealism and steely determination of generations that continue to unite against social and environmental injustices.
Tarriona “Tank” Ball
Tarriona “Tank” Ball is a New Orleans-based slam poet and Grammy-nominated recording artist with her band, Tank and the Bangas, which is known for reflecting a compelling mix of soul, hip-hop, R&B, and jazz sounds native to Ball’s home city.
Invoke Quartet
The multi-instrumental quartet encompasses traditions from across America, including bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz, and minimalism. Fueled by their passion for storytelling, Invoke weaves all of these styles together to form a unique contemporary repertoire, featuring original works composed by and for the group.
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
Founded in 1986, The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir weaves together more than 300 singers across multiple choirs from a wide range of faiths, races, and cultures. Their mission is to inspire joy and unity among all people through Black gospel and spiritual music traditions.
Better Together
In This Land, Downes is joined by this all-star cast of collaborators for a selection of classical and popular music exploring the richness and complexity of the American experience as we approach the country’s 250th anniversary. According to Downes:
“In this production, we are aiming to represent American history, but you can’t represent American music without engaging as many facets of it as possible. There are so many distinct traditions—folk, classical, roots, etc.—that all feed into and inform each other. Most of this work is exploring crossroads where worlds come together and so, given this ambition, it is really important to present as comprehensive a picture of American music as we can reasonably do onstage. And, of course, we as musicians learn so much when we collaborate with others coming from different backgrounds, we all flow into each other’s creative space.”
Takács Quartet
Having just celebrated it 50th season, the renowned Takács Quartet continues to deepen its connections to timeless masterworks and enliven the string quartet repertoire through fresh artistic collaborations. The award-winning string ensemble is made up of Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes (violins), Richard O’Neill (viola), and András Fejér (cello).
Clarice Assad
A powerful communicator renowned for her musical scope and versatility, Clarice Assad is one of the most popular Brazilian American concert-music composers of her generation. Celebrated also for her work as a pianist, vocalist, and educator, the Grammy–nominated musician is known for her evocative colors, rich textures, and diverse stylistic range.
Better Together
The season’s second Takács visit features the Bay Area premiere of a new work co-commissioned by Cal Performances from polyglot composer and pianist Clarice Assad. Of getting to work with the composer, the Quartet shared:
“We fell in love with Clarice Assad’s music when we toured her quintet CLASH for the Takács and accordionist Julian Labro. Her diverse stylistic range and perceptive understanding of string quartet sonorities made us want to commission a new string quartet from her. Clarice’s music inspires interactive spirit and theatrical energy. We feel liberated by her limitless imagination and can’t wait to dive into her new string quartet for us. Debussy’s string quartet immediately came to mind to pair with Assad: the range of colors and textures in combination with its adventurous spirit reminds us of Assad. Similarly, Haydn’s Opus 74 No. 3 creates contrasting moods. The music is humorous, ethereal, and virtuosic. We are excited to spark a conversation between these unique musical voices.”
