February ushers in some compelling classical shows in Bay Area

Orchestral concerts, recitals, and special events: February’s shaping up as a great classical music month. Here’s a look at some highlights.

Back to Bach: The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s tackles Bach’s Mass in B-minor, with music director Richard Egarr conducting performances featuring countertenor Iestyn Davies in his first appearance with the early music ensemble, joining soprano Mary Bevan, tenor James Gilchrist, and baritone Roderick Williams as soloists.

Details: 7:30 Feb. 2 at Bing Concert Hall, Stanford; 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at First Congregational Church, Berkeley; $20-$125; www.philharmonia.org.

Blomstedt at Davies: During his 1985-95 tenure as San Francisco Symphony’s music director, Herbert Blomstedt conducted, to great acclaim, all six of Carl Nielsen’s symphonies. Now Blomstedt, the Symphony’s Conductor Laureate, returns to lead the composer’s Symphony No. 4, “The Inextinguishable.” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 completes the program.

Details: 7:30 Feb. 3-4, 2 p.m. Feb. 6; Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco; $20-$165; www.sfsymphony.org.

“Eco” friendly: Directed by David Milnes, UC Berkeley’s own Eco Ensemble pays tribute to Toshio Hosokawa in a “Portrait Concert” featuring works by the lauded Japanese composer, who is currently serving as a guest lecturer at the university. Joining Milnes and the new music ensemble are the UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus led by Wei Cheng and koto player Kyoko Kawamura.

Details: 8 p.m. Feb. 5; Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley; $34; www.calperformances.org.

Burton, times two: A founding member of the award-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, Dashon Burton has also carved out a compelling solo career. He makes two appearances for San Francisco Performances this month. The first is a Feb. 5 recital with San Francisco Opera pianist Robert Mollicone that includes works by Margaret Bond, Kurt Weill and others. Then comes a Feb. 11 program with the Catalyst Quartet, featuring music by Florence Price and William Grant Still.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at St. Mark’s Church, San Francisco; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; $45-$65; www.sfperformances.org.

“Firebird” in Berkeley: The Berkeley Symphony is offering two ways to experience its Feb. 6 program, which features Stravinsky’s “Firebird” Suite, along with John Adams’ “Lollapalooza,” Sibelius’s “Finlandia,” Morton Gould’s “Protest,” and the world premiere of Derrick Skye’s “As Water, Freedom.” Led by Music Director Joseph Young, the program is available in person or on demand.

Details: 4 p.m. Feb. 6; Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley; $12-$72; streaming beginning Feb. 20; www.berkeleysymphony.org.

Contact Georgia Rowe at [email protected]