Edgar Meyer, double bass May 14, 2011

San Francisco Performances presents virtuosic double bassist Edgar Meyer in a solo recital 8 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at the Herbst Theatre.

Meyer, a galvanizer in the music world when it comes to exploring many varied traditions, brings his latest recital program of his own works as well as solo Bach transcriptions.

Meyer was first presented by SF Performances with the Emerson Quartet in 1995 and since then has appeared with a variety of artists-including Bela Fleck, Mike Marshall and Chris Thile-reflecting his musical breadth and dynamic range.

This program reflects Meyer's deep love for Bach, whose cello suites he has transcribed for recordings as well as live performances. As the Baltimore Sun wrote: "If you didn't know better, you might think Bach had intended them for bass all along.... He finds the same kind of intense emotions and deep spirituality in these scores that have so long enraptured cellists."

Meyer is a renowned composer for bass as well as for other instruments, and has written works for Hilary Hahn, Joshua Bell, Emmanuel Ax and others. He mingles his own work with his Bach transcriptions for a program of great depth and warmth. Tickets start at $35. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit sfperformances.org or call 415.392.2545.

Sunday, May 15, at 11 a.m., Meyer also performs a Family Matinee, introducing Bach, bluegrass and more in a format that entertains and inspires both children and adults. The venue has changed from Koret Auditorium at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park to the Marines' Memorial Theatre downtown San Francisco (609 Sutter Street, at Mason). This is due to the Bay to Breakers race taking place the same day. Tickets are $10 for youth and $15 for adults.

Official Website: http://www.sfperformances.org