Spruce Ritual: Raga-infused chamber music on May 19 in the Sunset District

Spruce Ritual from Bay Area violinist, vocalist, and composer Lucian Balmer is a heartfelt dance between western classical and North Indian classical music. While the album is centered around violin, viola, and cello-the string instrument family at the heart of Romantic era chamber music-Balmer seamlessly integrates the sounds of the sitar and the tabla, two pillars of Indian classical music. The music of Spruce Ritual is richly illustrative of Balmer's own life experiences, ranging from devotion, love, loss, melancholy, and excitement.

The ensemble will perform in the intimacy of Forte House, a popular house concert venue. The cozy space often inspires dialogue between performers and audience.