Organ debuts online

The inaugural recital of the new Seward Organ (C.B. Fisk, Op. 135) at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, played by Janette Fishell, Marilyn Keiser, Jeffrey Smith, Charles Webb and Christopher Young, will be streamed live online, beginning at 7:50 p.m. (Eastern time) today:

http://www.music.indiana.edu/publicity/organ/

A repeat performance at 4 p.m. May 2 can be heard on a live stream from IU's public radio station, WFIU:

http://indianapublicmedia.org/radio/

Chamber(s) music

Having heard that a teenaged defendant plays the violin "extremely well," a Virginia circuit court judge took him to her chambers to hear him play, then recused herself from the case, Tasha Kates reports in the Charlottesville Daily Progress:

http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/crime/article/judge_steps_aside_after_suspects_violin_solo/55567/

Symphony launches 'Transformation'

With a grant from longtime patron Gerald Morgan Jr., the Richmond Symphony has launched a "2010: Transformation" fund-raising campaign to secure its financial well-being in the coming decade.

Morgan will match, up to $50,000, the amount donated by the first 200 businesses or individuals making first-time donations or purchasing ticket subscriptions for the first time. This challenge grant's deadline is May 31.

The campaign's ultimate goal is to attract 2,010 new supporters this year.

For more information or to make a donation, call (804) 788-4717, ext. 112, or visit www.richmondsymphony.com

Supreme oboist?

U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Diane P. Wood, one of the names being touted as a successor to retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, plays the oboe.

The Los Angeles Times' Meghan Daum, a onetime practitioner of the instrument, notes that an orchestra's principal oboist plays the A to which the rest of the musicians tune their instruments, making oboists "about the most judgmental people on the face of the Earth. . . . Oboists may not always be right, but we're still the deciders":

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-daum-20100429,0,19656.column

Opposition-research riddle:

Q: What's the difference between a SCUD missile and a bad oboist?

A: A bad oboist can kill you.

(via MIT's jcb)

Classics and the political class

The Washington Post’s Anne Midgette worries that President Obama "spoke for a majority of his generation when he expressed his concerns, before the [White House] classical music event in November, about knowing when to clap" – reinforcing the notion that classical music is "a duty more than a pleasure: good for us, but a little dull":

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042300047.html?sid=ST2010042303184

Midgette writes that "the strongest message the White House could send to our nation about classical music is that it’s actually enjoyable. . . . There’s no better way to send a signal about the benefits of classical music than to show Obama having fun listening to it."

Hmm. Judging by opinion polls, I suspect that somewhere between 20 and 50 percent of the U.S. population would be inclined to dislike anything that this president was seen to enjoy. Nevertheless . . .

Midgette imagines a variety of performances of American art-music, from Stephen Foster songs to George Crumb’s Vietnam War meditation "Black Angels." (One of her suggestions is a White House engagement for eighth blackbird playing Steve Reich’s Double Sextet, which was introduced in 2008 at the University of Richmond and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for music in 2009.)

Commendable and appropriate as such concerts might be, I wonder whether they would segue with "having fun listening" – especially when you consider the guests typically invited to cultural events at the White House. The only such affair I’ve witnessed was a half-hour musicale of fairly undemanding pieces by Mozart and Haydn, squirmed through by an audience of politicians and big donors. Trying to imagine how those folks would have reacted to something like the Reich sextet, "fun" doesn’t come to mind, except maybe the perverse fun of Schadenfreude to be had by various outsider-onlookers.

As the late R.W. Apple noted in a 1998 essay in The New York Times . . .

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/26/arts/elected-bodies-with-hardly-a-cultured-bone.html?scp=1&sq=%22r.w.+apple%22+music&st=nyt

. . . most high-level Washington political figures are high-culture illiterates, especially when it comes to music. (The last U.S. president who had more than a passing familiarity with classical music was Richard Nixon.) In the 12 years since Apple wrote that piece, political Washington has become an even more attention-deficit-disordered culture in which substance is condensed/warped into slogans and sound-bites. What makes these people successful makes them unresponsive to ambiguities and abstract ideas worked out at length. (Obama is said to be an exception, but his "professorial" inclination is also said to be a political weakness.)

The best way – maybe the only way – to get members of the political class to respond more than dutifully to classical music is to give them sensation and spectacle, virtuosity and theatricality. The White House is not an ideal venue – the East Room is not a theater; and the greatest classical repertory, old or new, is not geared to limited attention spans. But there are possibilities.

Midgette’s suggestion of engaging a major opera singer, such as Plácido Domingo, for a program of arias, could be enjoyable to a White House audience. (Political types like to be seen with celebrities, even when they don’t respond to what makes the celebrities celebrated.)

In the realm of contemporary art-music, I would go for works that are either theatrical (for eighth blackbird playing George Crumb, make it "Voice of the Whale") or highly physical (for Steve Reich, make it one of his drum works).

The most promising option, though, is the solo virtuoso playing finger-busting showpieces. To cite two examples from my recent concert-going experience, I can easily imagine pianist Yuja Wang playing Ravel’s "La Valse" and Mozart’s "Rondo alla Turca," or violinist Gil Shaham playing Sarasate’s "Zigeunerweisen" and "Carmen" Fantasy, and making a White House crowd visibly enjoy the experience.

Explanation, please

In a New York Times report on the resurgence of classical music on public radio stations . . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/business/media/26radio.html?ref=business

. . . Elizabeth Jenkins obtains this insight from Marc Hand, managing director of the consulting firm Public Radio Capital:

"Classical audiences have an average age of 63, Mr. Hand said. 'In the commercial model, that’s not at all an attractive demographic for advertisers,' he said, but for a public broadcaster, 'it’s a great demographic for membership,' a passionate group with disposable income and a disposition to contribute."

Would someone care to explain why an audience with money to spend is "not at all" attractive to advertisers?

Review: Richmond Symphony

Steven Smith conducting
with Gil Shaham, violin
April 24, Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage

Steven Smith's debut as the fifth music director of the Richmond Symphony was a gala event, featuring the most stellar of this season's guest soloists, violinist Gil Shaham. In this fund-raiser for the orchestra – not as debt-ridden as many of its brethren, but still under recessionary financial stress – the symphony's musicians donated their time for rehearsals and the performance.

Smith launched his tenure by dealing head-on with the top artistic priority facing the conductor of this orchestra: Sorting out orchestral sonorities, timbres and balances in the often challenging acoustical environment of the renovated Carpenter Theatre. He began that task in a program of very colorful and sonically complex works of Ravel, Debussy and Manuel De Falla.

Their color and dynamism effectively cloaked the hard work in progress, and the program was generously garnished with ear candy: The orchestra playing Ravel's Bolero and an arrangement of Debussy's "Clair de lune," and accompanying Shaham in the "Fantasy on Bizet’s 'Carmen' " and "Zigeunerweisen" ("Gypsy Airs") by the late 19th-century Spanish violin virtuoso-composer Pablo de Sarasate and the "Meditation" from Massenet’s "Thaïs."

Shaham dove into the Sarasate pieces with both fiery and cheerful virtuosity and rendered the Massenet with a kind of chaste soulfulness. His body language and perma-grin suggested he was having the time of his life; and his almost in-your-face proximity to Smith (a violinist-turned-conductor) was an unusually vivid demonstration of close collaboration and fiddlers’ kinship.

Smith, who had auditioned for his job with music of Stravinsky, Schubert, Berlioz, Beethoven and Shostakovich, concluded this formal debut concert with Ravel’s "La Valse," a work that not many conductors would dare to audition with – but that I’ve heard several select as an opening-night showpiece.

Perhaps the most striking musical representation of old Europe lurching violently into modernity, "La Valse" is scored for a large orchestra that produces a welter of unusual sound effects atop skidding rhythms. The piece is full of precarious balances and unexpected twists, big rhetoric spiked with sly asides. The conductor must direct heavy and intricate traffic, and as an interpreter must capture a spirit that’s equal parts neurosis and farce.

Smith directed traffic expertly and with close attention to voicing, balances and dynamics. His waltz time was on the broad side, which took some of the edge off of Ravel’s wilder expressive gestures and muted the undertone of frenzy until it was unleashed in the climax. The symphony’s strings were gratifyingly woozy, the winds nicely varied in tone color, the brass and percussion assertive but not domineering.

The conductor and orchestra achieved comparably fine results in Debussy’s too rarely heard "L’Isle joyeuse" and the Suite No. 2 from De Falla’s "The Three-Cornered Hat." They and "La Valse" were the most agreeably balanced accounts of brightly colored, high-volume music that the orchestra has performed since moving back into the Carpenter Theatre.

Flicka's farewell

The mezzo-soprano may be the most durable of all operatic voices, and some mezzos keep singing, and more or less thriving, into old age. (Maureen Forrester comes immediately to mind.) Others choose not to.

Frederica von Stade, arguably the greatest American mezzo of her generation (she's 65), has chosen to join the ranks of retirees while still in fine voice. The New York Times' Anthony Tommasini reviews her farewell concert on April 22 at Carnegie Hall:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/arts/music/index.html

Volcanic fallout

The ash clouds from the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull have been spreading mostly eastward, but its disruption of air travel and resulting effects on travelers' schedules have spread in all directions. And we're reminded of how dependent classical music has become on international travel.

Locally, James Wilson had to hustle to find replacements for violist Lily Francis, who was stranded in Sweden, for this week's performances in the Richmond Festival of Music.

This weekend's big classical events in Virginia – the Richmond Symphony's April 24 date with its new music director, Steven Smith, and violinist Gil Shaham; the Virginia Arts Festival's April 23-24 performances of Leonard Bernstein's Mass; the Virginia Opera's "Porgy and Bess," April 23 and 25 at George Mason University in Fairfax; the Staunton Music Festival's April 23-25 Springfest; the Virginia premiere of Judith Shatin's "Jefferson, in His Own Words" in April 24-25 concerts by the Charlottesville & University Symphony – are unaffected.

Elsewhere, though, the New York Philharmonic had to reorder its Stravinsky festival programs to accommodate artists who were delayed in getting to New York. The Cincinatti Symphony's music director, Paavo Järvi, had to cancel a series of concerts with the orchestra when he couldn't get back from Frankfurt, Germany. The Scottish conductor Garry Walker and English percussionist Colin Currie were grounded and forced to cancel a Utah Symphony engagement. Claus Peter Flor, stuck in Switzerland, missed a guest-conducting date with the Houston Symphony.

Meanwhile, under the ash cloud, British orchestras worry that disrupted tours could have a devastating effect on their bottom lines, Maryrose Fison reports in The Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/7614036/Iceland-volcano-orchestras-count-the-cost.html

Rennolds Chamber Concerts 2010-11

The eminent American musicologist and pianist Charles Rosen, playing an all-Schumann program to mark this year’s 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, and a performance by the Ysaÿe String Quartet, one of the leading French chamber groups, highlight the 2010-11 season of the Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concerts at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Also performing in the series next season are pianist Jon Nakamatsu, the Borromeo String Quartet, The Claremont Trio and cellist Zuill Bailey. Bailey also will participate in the VCU Music Department's spring "Cellopalooza" event.

Subscription ticket sets for the Rennolds series are $125, with discounts for seniors and students. To order tickets or obtain more information, call the VCU music box office at (804) 828-6776.

The series’ 2010-11 program schedule:

Sept. 25 – The Claremont Trio. Mozart: Piano Trio in B flat major, K. 502; Ravel: Piano Trio; Schumann: Piano Trio in F major, Op. 80.

Oct. 23 – Charles Rosen, piano, with Christoph Genz, tenor. Schumann: "Dichterliebe" (song cycle), Fantasy in C major, Op. 17, for piano.

Dec. 4 – Jon Nakamatsu, piano. Program TBA.

Feb. 12 – Borromeo String Quartet. Program TBA.

March 5 – Ysaÿe String Quartet. Haydn: Quartet in G major, Op. 33, No. 5; Beethoven: Quartet in E flat major, Op. 74 ("Harp"); Debussy: Quartet in G minor.

April 2 – Zuill Bailey, cello, with pianist TBA. Program TBA.

Review: Richmond Festival of Music

April 18, First Unitarian Universalist Church

After seasons devoted to Americana and the baroque, James Wilson’s Richmond Festival of Music returns this year to the heart of standard chamber repertory, focusing on works of Brahms and Dvořák – but, as usual, with some offbeat addenda.

The opening program featured Brahms’ Piano Trio in C major, Op. 87, and Dvořák’s Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 87, both dating from the 1880s, when Brahms was at the peak of his creative power and Dvořák was perfecting his melding of Czech folk idioms with mainstream romanticism.

Alongside those works, there were two rarities: "Variations on a Theme of Brahms" for piano four-hands by the composer’s protégé, Heinrich von Herzogenberg, played by Carsten Schmidt and Gabriel Dobner; and "Southland Sketches" by Henry Thacker Burleigh, who assisted Dvořák during his years in America and introduced him to African-American song, played by violinist Erin Keefe with Dobner on piano.

The Brahms trio, played by Schmidt, violinist Diane Pascal and Wilson on cello, and the Dvořák quartet, played by Dobner, Pascal, Wilson and Keefe on viola, were full immersions in full-bodied romantic sonority – the result, in more or less equal parts, of the musicians’ assertively luxuriant tone projection and of the close perspective and resonance of the space in which they were playing.

The sound bordered on being too much of a good thing – as if listeners were positioned inside the box of a fiddle or under the lid of the piano. At times, accents and internal figures were swamped in the wash of rich tone. More than compensating for that was the enveloping sound of solo playing, as Keefe produced in her subtle violin phrasing in the Burleigh and as Wilson delivered in his voluptuous reading of the solo-cello song opening the lento movement of the Dvořák, and numerous highlights of subtler, softer ensemble playing.

The most effective exploitation of First Unitarian’s acoustics came in Keefe’s and Dobner’s soulful but not soupy treatment of Burleigh's nostalgic lyricism; and in the andante of the Brahms trio, as Pascal and Wilson underlined the sighing effects of their string lines, with sensitive support from Schmidt.

The Icelandic volcano’s disruption of air travel has hit this festival, as it has many other musical events. Lily Francis, who was to play viola in performances this week, is grounded in Sweden. She will be replaced on April 20 by Will Frampton and on April 22 by Carmit Zori.

The Richmond Festival of Music continues with concerts at 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 22 at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon. Tickets: $25. Details: (804) 519-2098; www.cmscva.org

Review: Pieter Wispelwey

April 17, Virginia Commonwealth University

Cellist Pieter Wispelwey spent a long day at VCU, headlining the university’s "Cellopalooza" day of workshops and demonstrations, capping that event with a late afternoon recital, then performing with his regular duo partner, pianist Paolo Giacometti, in a Rennolds Chamber Concerts program.

Wispelwey, a Dutch cellist known for his stylistic ambidexterity – a modern cellist who is equally expert as a historically informed period instrumentalist – and Giacometti devoted their evening recital to Beethoven’s sets of variations on "See the conq’ring hero comes" from Handel’s "Judas Maccabeus" and "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen" and "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen" from Mozart’s "The Magic Flute," Schubert’s "Argeggione" Sonata and Wispelwey’s arrangement of Schubert’s Fantasy in C major, D. 934.

The Beethoven sets, like his sonatas for cello and piano, do not cast the piano as a supporting instrument; it’s often the senior partner of the pair. The piano’s role in the two Schubert pieces is almost as prominent. Wispelwey gave Giacometti due deference in these performances, something a lot of prominent cello soloists aren’t quite willing to do. Giacometti was a winning co-star, drawing consistently lovely tone from the piano and showing a keen grasp of the lyrical and dance elements that pervade these works.

Wispelwey’s cello sang and danced, too, with the lyrical tone and narrative phrasing of a master Lieder singer and the rhythmic sensibility and dynamism of a musician who thoroughly understands the way that late-classical composers absorbed and enlarged on vernacular dance styles.

Wispelwey’s tone was leaner and more earthy than the big, round sound of the mainstream "international style," enabling him to negotiate fast fingerings with greater clarity and deliver accents with more impact. His treatment of Schubert’s singing lines in the allegretto of the sonata and the andantino of the fantasy voiced the music’s sentiment without reticence, but also without excess sentimentality.

His adaptation of the fantasy doesn’t really stand up to comparison with the original for violin and piano – the cello’s lower register and darker tone mask the brilliance of the string part; but the cellist reveled in the speedy figures of the final section.

Grounded

The eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull, whose clouds of hazardous ash have shut down many European airports and disrupted the schedules of air carriers worldwide, is forcing many touring musicians to cancel engagements, Daniel J. Wakin and Ben Sisario report in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/arts/music/17musicians.html?ref=music

No word yet on concert cancellations in the Mid-Atlantic region; but checking with the presenter or venue to learn the status of a performance by an artist or ensemble from northern or eastern Europe, or en route from or through Europe, during the coming week could save you a wasted trip.

POSTSCRIPT: A fair amount of Internet bandwith is being burned up with guides to pronouncing "Eyjafjallajökull." (The Times' Andy Newman and Bao Ong quote an Icelandic consular employee as pronouncing it "EY-ya-fyat-lah-YOH-kuht," and suggest, tongues partially in cheeks, that a semi-English version would be, "Hey, ya fergot La Yogurt.") Some suggest condensing the name to "Kull." How about "Kull, the Ash-Spewer," which is descriptive and has an old-Nordic/sword-and-sorcery ring to it?

APRIL 20 UPDATE: More tales of musicians kicking ash (sorry, couldn't resist) to get to their gigs, from Warwick Thompson and Shirley Apthorp at Bloomberg News:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=an28H9jT7EWI

Virginia Symphony 2010-11

The Virginia Symphony celebrates its 90th anniversary, and the 20th of its music director, JoAnn Falletta, in a 2010-11 season that will feature pianists Olga Kern and Susan Starr, percussionist Colin Currie, violinist Chee Yun and cellist Julian Schwarz as guest soloists; and the premiere of a work by the prominent American composer Lowell Liebermann.

Major standard orchestral repertory for the season includes Tchaikovsky’s Fifth, Beethoven’s "Pastoral," Schumann’s "Rhenish," Mozart’s "Linz" and Samuel Barber’s First symphonies; Rimsky-Korsakov’s "Scheherazade" and Carl Orff’s "Carmina Burana." Also on the schedule are works by contemporary composers Michael Daugherty, Robert Sirota and Einojuhani Rautavaara.

The Hampton Roads-based orchestra will present two classical series, a pops series, family concerts and Christmas-season performances from September to April at six venues, Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, the Ferguson Arts Center of Christopher Newport University in Newport News, the Sandler Arts Center in Virginia Beach, St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Regent University Theater in Virginia Beach and Harrison Opera House in Norfolk.

To obtain a season brochure, subscription ticket prices or more information, call (757) 892-6366 or visit www.virginiasymphony.org

The Virginia Symphony’s 2010-11 schedule:

CLASSICAL
8 p.m. unless listed otherwise

Sept. 10 (Ferguson Center), Sept. 11 (Chrysler Hall), Sept. 12 (2:30 p.m., Sandler Center) – JoAnn Falletta conducting. Robert Sirota: "A Rush of Wings;" Glazunov: Violin Concerto (Chee Yun, violin); Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5.

Sept. 25 (Chrysler Hall), Sept. 26 (2:30 p.m., Sandler Center) – JoAnn Falletta conducting. Schmitt: Suite No. 1 from "Antony and Cleopatra;" Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491 (Erica Cicarelli, piano); Berlioz: "Romeo and Juliet" (excerpts).

Oct. 28 (Ferguson Center), Oct. 30 (Chrysler Hall), Oct. 31 (2:30 p.m., Sandler Center) – JoAnn Falletta conducting. Bantock: "Witch of Atlas;" Michael Daugherty: "UFO" (Colin Currie, percussion); Rachmaninoff: "Isle of the Dead;" Boito: "Prologue in Heaven" from "Mefistofele."

Nov. 5 (Ferguson Center), Nov. 6 (Chrysler Hall), Nov. 7 (2:30 p.m., Sandler Center) – JoAnn Falletta conducting. Lowell Liebermann: work TBA (premiere); Haydn: Cello Concerto in C major (Julian Schwarz, cello); Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral").

Nov. 18 (St. Bede), Nov. 20 (Regent Theater) – conductor TBA. Sibelius: "Pelléas and Mélisande;" Bottesini: "Grand Duo Concertante" (Pavel Ilyashov, violin; Chris White, bass); Beethoven: Symphony No. 4.

Dec. 10 (St. Bede), Dec. 11 (Regent Theater), Dec. 12 (Ferguson Center) – JoAnn Falleta conducting. Handel: "Messiah" (soloists TBA, Virginia Symphony Chorus).

Jan. 21 (Ferguson Center), Jan. 22 (Chrysler Hall), Jan. 23 (2:30 p.m., Sandler Center) – JoAnn Falletta conducting. Barber: Symphony No. 1; Orff: "Carmina Burana" (Amy Cofield Williamson, soprano; Scott Williamson, tenor; Andrew Garland, baritone; Virginia Symphony Chorus).

March 11 (Ferguson Center), March 12 (Chrysler Hall); March 13 (Sandler Center) – JoAnn Falletta conducting. Rautavaara: "Isle of Bliss;" Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 (Olga Kern, piano); Brahms: Symphony No. 4.

March 17 (St. Bede), March 18 (Regent Theater) – JoAnn Falletta conducting. Györgi Ligeti: "Concert Romanesc;" Barber: Violin Concerto (Vahn Armstrong, violin); Mozart: "Coronation" Mass (soloists TBA, Virginia Symphony Chorus).

March 25 (Ferguson Center), March 26 (Chrysler Hall) – Jesús Amigo conducting. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 (Susan Starr, piano); Mozart: Symphony No. 36 ("Linz"); Schumann: Symphony No. 3 ("Rhenish").

April 8 (Ferguson Center), April 9 (Chrysler Hall), April 10 (2:30 p.m., Sandler Center) – JoAnn Falleta conducting. Bach: Concerto in D major (after Vivaldi); Arutunian: Trumpet Concerto (Joe Burgstaller, trumpet); Rimsky-Korsakov: "Scheherazade."

POPS
8 p.m. unless listed otherwise

Oct. 9 (Chrysler Hall) – conductor TBA. Aaron Neville, guest star.

Dec. 17 (Harrison Opera House), Dec. 18 (2:30 p.m., Sandler Center) – Robert Shoup conducting. "Holiday Pops!" (Virginia Symphony Chorus).

Jan. 27 (St. Bede), Jan. 28 (Regent Theater), Jan. 29 (Chrysler Hall) – Bob Bernhardt conducting. Copland: "Four Dance Episodes" from "On the Town," "Our Town;" Porter: "Within the Quota;" Gershwin: "Rhapsody in Blue" (Robert Thies, piano), "An American in Paris," Lullaby for strings.

March 5 (Chrysler Hall) – conductor TBA. "A Classical Mystery Tour," with original cast of the Broadway musical "Beatlemania."

April 2 (Chrysler Hall) – conductor TBA. "Three Broadway Divas," starring Debbie Gravitte, Jan Hervath and Christiane Noll, vocalists.


FAMILY CONCERTS
3 p.m., Chrysler Hall

Nov. 14 – Matthew Kraemer conducting. "All Aboard!" music inspired by trains.

Feb. 6 – conductor TBA. "A Seussical Adventure," Robert Kapilow’s music based on Dr. Seuss stories.

March 6 – conductor TBA. "An Afternoon at the Museum" (Anna Celenza, narrator & author).

April 3 – conductor TBA. "The Classical Clown" with Dan Kamin.

Thank-you notes

Writing at NewMusicBox, composer Jennifer Higdon responds to her Violin Concerto's winning this year's Pulitzer Prize for music by thanking the formulative influences in her life and work, starting with her high-school band director:

http://www.newmusicbox.org/article.nmbx?id=6337

Pop goes the opera

In Britain, "Prima Donna" by the pop-music singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright is panned by The Guardian's Andrew Clements as "the work of a man who loves opera and the sensations it delivers, without understanding how it is paced, or how it generates dramatic tension" . . .

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/apr/13/prima-donna-review

. . . while the English National Opera has tapped Monty Python alumnus-turned-filmmaker Terry Gilliam to direct a staged version of Berlioz's "The Damnation of Faust," and Mike Figgis, director of the 1995 film "Leaving Las Vegas," to direct Donizetti's "Lucrezia Borgia," the BBC reports:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8622096.stm

Banned in Somalia

Declaring music to be "un-Islamic," the militant group Hizbul Islam has coerced radio stations in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, into removing music from their programming.

"We have replaced the music of the early morning program with the sound of the rooster, replaced the news music with the sound of the firing bullet and the music of the night program with the sound of running horses," the director of one station tells The New York Times' Mohammed Ibrahim:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/world/africa/14somalia.html?ref=music

Georgia House axes arts agency

Two months ago, the Virginia House of Delegates voted to phase out the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which would have made this the first state to shut down its arts agency. The commission survived, with reduced funding, in the budget bill ultimately passed by the House and Senate.

Georgia appears to be headed down the same road. Gov. Sonny Perdue proposed cutting the budget of Georgia's Council for the Arts from the current $2.32 million to $890,735 in the coming fiscal year. Now, the state House of Representatives has voted to do away with the council, Howard Pousner reports in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/state-arts-council-facing-462782.html

UPDATE: The AJ-C's Pousner reports that the Georgia Senate's Appropriations Committee has voted to restore the $890,375 appropriation for the arts panel, which would qualify the state for $878,300 in funding from the National Endowment for the Arts:

http://www.ajc.com/news/senate-panel-offers-hope-476938.html

Tuesday Evening Concerts 2010-11

A Beethoven-Schubert program by the eminent English pianist Stephen Kovacevich, the REBEL Baroque Ensemble in "Harlequin Unmasked: Festive Music of the Carnival" and the Akademie für alte Musik Berlin in "Best of German Baroque" highlight the 2010-11 season of Charlottesville’s Tuesday Evening Concert Series.

The series, organized in 1948, presents visiting solo, chamber and early music artists at the University of Virginia.

Next season’s subscription-ticket prices are $65-$175. (There is frequently a waiting list for single tickets once the season gets under way.) For more information, call (434) 244-9505 or visit www.tecs.org

The 2010-11 schedule of artists and programs, all staged at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in U.Va.’s Old Cabell Hall:

Oct. 5 – REBEL Baroque Ensemble, with dancers. Works by Telemann, Vivaldi, Gluck, Charpentier, Campra, Biber and Schmelzer.

Oct. 26 – Aviv Quartet with Robert Kulek, piano. Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34; quartets by Haydn and Shostakovich.

Nov. 30 – Stephen Kovacevich, piano. Beethoven: Sonata in A flat major, Op. 110; Schubert: Sonata in B flat major, D. 960.

Feb. 15 – Orion Quartet and Windscape Wind Ensemble. Bach: "The Art of the Fugue" (Samuel Baron transcription).

March 15 – Akademie für alte Musik Berlin. Bach: "Brandenburg" Concerto No. 2, Violin Concerto No. 2; Telemann: Concerto in E minor for flute, recorder, strings and continuo. (Soloists TBA)

March 29 – Hugo Wolf Quartet. Beethoven: Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131; works by Haydn and Wolf.

April 12 – Augustin Hadelich, violin. Program TBA.

Wagner's action heroes

As the Los Angeles Opera prepares to mount Richard Wagner's "Ring" cycle next month, the Los Angeles Times' David Ng posits the notion that Wagner's adaptation of the Norse saga "The Ring of the Nibelung" is a "genetic mother ship for today's fleet of action heroes" (Siegfried begat Batman, Brünnhilde begat Xena), and notes that Achim Freyer's production evokes comic-book art:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-ring-heroes11-2010apr11,0,6907841.story

In discussing "the fanboy allure of Wagner's 'Ring'," Ng neglects to mention Wagner's most notorious fan, Adolf Hitler, and the dreadful turn that super-hero worship and exploitation took in the 1930s and ’40s; or more recent, less historic, but still lethal, consequences of mixing fantasy with testosterone.

Saturday night with Mencken

The Baltimore Sun's Tim Smith reviews a re-creation of the Saturday Night Club, whose beer-soaked performances of Beethoven and other classics were immortalized in some of the most hilarious prose of the club's pianist, H.L. Mencken:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/classicalmusic/2010/04/hl_menckens_saturday_night_clu.html#more

Smith proposes a recording of the club's salon-orchestra arrangements. I second the motion.

White at the Met

Steven White, artistic director of Opera Roanoke, is one of the conductors called in for the Metropoloitan Opera's current run of Verdi's "La Traviata" following the withdrawal of the original conductor, Leonard Slatkin, after one critically drubbed performance. White conducted the April 7 performance, and will return for the April 10 performance.

White, whose wife is soprano Elizabeth Futral, conducted at the Baltimore Opera before its demise, and has been a cover conductor for several Met productions. In an interview with The Roanoke Times' Mike Allen, the conductor recalls that his first "Traviata" was in Roanoke:

http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/242694

Following his Met dates, White returns to Roanoke for a concert presentation of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," with soprano Amy Cofield in the title role, April 30 and May 2 at Shaftman Performance Hall in the Jefferson Center. Tickets: $20-$80. Details: (540) 982-2742; www.operaroanoke.org

Old liturgy as new soundtrack

The Washington Post's Anne Midgette appraises Stephen Hough's "Requiem aeternam," an arrangement of Tomas Luis de Victoria's Requiem (1605) as a wordless string sextet, crafted as musical accompaniment to “The Sacred Made Real: Spanish Painting and Sculpture, 1600-1700,” an exhibit of paintings and sculpture made for street processions during Passion Week, now on view at Washington's National Gallery of Art.

Hough, the versatile and venturesome English musician most widely known as a concert pianist, made the arrangement for the show when it was mounted at the National Gallery in London.

"Stripping the [Requiem] of its texts, and thus of its specifically religious context, was a thoughtful echo of the secularizing process of displaying religious art works in a museum show: their aesthetic value, rather than their religious value, being in this context of primary importance to most of the show’s viewers," Midgette writes:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-classical-beat/2010/04/hough_requiem_sacred_made_secu.html#more

Unraveling in Charleston?

In the Charleston City Paper, Lindsay Koob lays out the back story of the abrupt announcement on March 28 that the financially troubled Charleston (SC) Symphony would call off the rest of its 2009-10 season:

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/the-cso-in-peril-yet-again/Content?oid=1886424

The orchestra's musicians, who are receiving their last paychecks today (April 9), are challenging the cancellation as a violation of their contract, Ashley Fletcher Frampton reports in the Charleston Regional Business Journal:

http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/33628-orchestra-musicians-say-shutdown-violates-labor-agreement

The orchestra, marking its 75th anniversary next season (assuming it survives), currently has an interim executive director, no marketing director and a music director, David Stahl, on his way out.

Connections and misconnections

The Philadelphia Inquirer's David Patrick Stearns reports on a new venture in which the Philadelphia Orchestra and other Philly area ensembles transmit live simulcasts of their performances to residents of retirement communities:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/david_patrick_stearns/20100404_For_classical_music__these_are_the_golden_ears.html

Maintaining connections with the least mobile elderly patrons is one way to cope with an aging audience for classical music. So far, it's exceptional; but I wouldn't be surprised to see it become common practice. (Retirement community operators would love it, as pay-per-view/hear hookups are easier and cheaper than running minibuses to concert halls.)

* * *

Like every other provider of products and services, classical-music performers and presenters are concerned about, not to say obsessed with, making their offerings more attractive to a younger clientele. They see their existing audience growing older and older, and worry that as it dies off so will classical music.

It's a legitimate concern, especially as the latest contingent of the aging, baby boomers, don't appear to have developed a later-life interest in classical music to the same degree that their parents and grandparents did.

Musical instruction, even basic music appreciation, did not figure much in the education of the boomers, and has figured even less in the schooling of subsequent generations; so a lot of otherwise well-educated Americans under 60 are clueless about classical music. A lot of them are also indifferent, even hostile. Popular culture since the 1960s has used classical music as a totem or cultural signal, sometimes positive (baroque music as background sound in shops and restaurants suggests luxury, for instance), but usually negative – denoting stuffiness, undeserved privilege, belonging to the establishment, being boring and uncool, and worst of all, being old.

Boomers have been conditioned since adolescence to think that getting old is a fate worse than death. So they've redefined old: 60 is the new 40. That's not just wishful thinking. Fifty years ago, a 60-year-old could anticipate living another 10 years or so. Now, that 60-year-old can anticipate living another 20 to 30 years. Thanks to medical advances, the frailty of old age is being pushed further into the future, as well.

Highbrow organizations haven't adjusted to that new definition of old. (Neither have a lot of businesses, but that's another story.) A performing-arts troupe that plays to a crowd whose median age is 55 or 60 need not contemplate the prospect of oblivion a decade, or even two decades, from now.

Classical presenters, however, need to adjust their approaches to younger audiences. Currently, they pursue a two-tier strategy: To reach children and teenagers, in-school activities, youth concerts and youth orchestras, which attempt to replace the musical component that school curricula have dropped or degraded; and to reach younger adults, typically those in their 30s and 40s, bargain-priced, casual and/or close-to-home concerts offering bite-sized chunks of mostly 18th- and 19th-century classical repertory.

But as 60 is the new 40, 40 is the new 25, culturally speaking. Many 40-somethings, despite having kids to raise, mortgages to pay, lawns to mow and so on, consider themselves young adults, and perceive themselves to be part of the audience for "alternative" or "indie" pop-culture genres. If a boomer's nightmare is to be thought old, this cohort's nightmare is to be mistaken for boomers.

Post-boomers are potentially more receptive to classical music than boomers, because much of alt/indie pop music is more harmonically unpredictable, longer in form and more abstract than earlier pop styles such as hard rock or disco. Christopher O'Riley plays piano arrangements of Radiohead tunes; eighth blackbird and other contemporary art-music groups collaborate with alt-rock musicians. It's hard to imagine them making comparable connections with, say, Judas Priest or Donna Summer.

Playing Mozart, Schubert and Tchaikovsky may not be the most promising way to make classical converts of the alt/indie generations; Bartók, Messiaen, Ives and Cage may be closer to their musical sensibilities. They may find chamber music easier to connect with than orchestral music. They may prove more receptive to organs, harps or percussion instruments than to conventional classical instrumental groupings.

* * *

The wisest strategy for symphony orchestras and other classical presenters hoping to make their art form a multi-generational attraction may be to give the old folks what they want – and not to worry too much about it, because the old folks are going to be around for a good while yet; and to give the younger folks what typically alienates the old folks. (Kind of like the bargain the pop-music industry struck with its audiences in the late ’50s and ’60s, when Tony Bennett thrived alongside Little Richard.)

And the boomers? Ah, the boomers. About all you can do is wait for them to realize they've gotten old, and grow up. Sort of.

Tongue dislodged from cheek, there's one encouraging factor: There are so many boomers that even if a small percentage of them wind up developing a taste for the classics, you're still talking about a lot of people.

Reconnected

Letter V's e-mail is restored, clickable at the top of the sidebar to the right.

In limbo in Cleveland

Steven Smith, the new music director of the Richmond Symphony, arrives later this month with more expertise than he could possibly want in the financial tribulations that orchestras face in this recession. Smith is also music director of the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, an award-winning contemporary music ensemble that is struggling to attract enough support to survive.

Donald Rosenberg sounds out Smith on the orchestra's prospects in The Plain Dealer:

http://www.cleveland.com/musicdance/index.ssf/2010/04/cleveland_chamber_symphony_fin.html

Richmond Symphony 2010-11

The Richmond Symphony’s 2010-11 season will be highlighted by Beethoven's two late choral-orchestral masterpieces, the Ninth Symphony and “Missa Solemnis,” as well as new works commissioned from three contemporary composers: Richmond-bred Mason Bates, University of Virginia-based Judith Shatin and the Haitian-American Daniel Roumain.

Steven Smith will launch his first season as the orchestra’s fifth music director with the Beethoven Ninth, sharing the Sept. 25-26 program with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Serenade to Music” and two works by Bates, his Ode and a newly commissioned fanfare. Erin R. Freeman, the symphony’s associate conductor and director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus, will be on the podium for “Missa Solemnis” in the May 21-22 finale of the Altria Masterworks series.

Shatin’s “Jefferson, in His Own Words,” commissioned by the Richmond and Virginia symphonies, the Charlottesville & University Symphony and Illinois Symphony, will be performed on Nov. 13-14. The Richmond Symphony commission is with support from the John Powell Fund. A new work by Roumain, commissioned by the symphony and eight other orchestras through the Sphinx Commissioning Consortium, will be introduced in concerts on March 5-6.

Evelyn Glennie, the trailblazing Scottish percussionist, will be featured in a non-subscription concert on April 2. The Christmas-season performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” with the Richmond-bred tenor William Ferguson among the soloists, will be staged on Dec. 3.

Other guest soloists for the season include pianists Awadagin Pratt (playing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1) and Virginia Commonwealth University-based Dmitri Shteinberg (Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3), soprano Kelly Nassief (Ravel’s “Schéhérazade” and opera arias) and trumpeter Tom Hooten (Henri Tomasi’s Trumpet Concerto).

Karen Johnson, the symphony’s concertmaster, will be featured in Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2, and Neal Cary, the orchestra’s principal cellist, will play Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 2.

Other major Masterworks repertory: Stravinsky’s “Firebird” Suite, Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony (No. 6) and Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony, all conducted by Smith; and Schumann’s “Spring” Symphony (No. 1), conducted by Victor Yampolsky.

The 2010-11 Genworth Financial Symphony Pops series will open with the music and acrobatic-dance production “Cirque de la Symphonie.” Other programs are a “50 Years of Motown” show starring The Contours, music from the James Bond films and the “Let It Snow” holiday program.

The LolliPops series for children and families will feature the Magic Circle Mime Company in “Phantom of the Orchestra,” Robert Kapilow’s Dr. Seuss production “Green Eggs and Ham” and “Carnival of the Animals.”

All those concerts will be presented in the Carpenter Theatre of Richmond CenterStage.

The chamber-orchestra series staged at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland and other suburban locations, this season redubbed Metro Collection, is still in the planning stages, said David Fisk, the symphony’s executive director. Announcement of 2010-11 programs and venues is expected in May.

For information on ticket subscriptions, call the symphony’s patron services line at (804) 788-1212 or visit http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

The symphony's 2010-11 programming:


MASTERWORKS
8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Subscriptions: $164-$476

Sept. 25-26 – Steven Smith conducting. Mason Bates: commissioned fanfare TBA, Ode; Vaughan Williams: “Serenade to Music;” Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”) (Mary Dunleavy, soprano; Christin Marie Hill, mezzo-soprano; Tracey Welborn, tenor; Kevin Deas, bass; Richmond Symphony Chorus, Erin R. Freeman directing).

Oct. 16-17 – Steven Smith conducting. Dukas: “La Peri” Fanfare; Debussy-Ravel: Sarabande, Danse; Stravinsky: “Firebird” Suite; Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 (Dmitri Shteinberg, piano).

Nov. 13-14 – Steven Smith conducting. Copland: “Fanfare for the Common Man;” Judith Shatin: “Jefferson, in His Own Words” (narrator TBA); Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 2 (Neal Cary, cello); Dvořák: Symphony No. 6.

Jan. 15-16 – Steven Smith conducting. Britten: “Four Sea Interludes” from “Peter Grimes;” Ravel: “Schéhérazade;” opera arias, choruses and orchestral interludes TBA (Kelly Nassief, soprano; Richmond Symphony Chorus, Erin R. Freeman directing).

Feb. 5-6 – Victor Yampolsky conducting. Weber: “Euryanthe” Overture; Schumann: Symphony No. 1 (“Spring”); Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 (Awadagin Pratt, piano).

March 5-6 – Steven Smith conducting. Daniel Roumain: commissioned work TBA; Henri Tomasi: Trumpet Concerto (Tom Hooten, trumpet); Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”).

April 30-May 1 – Steven Smith conducting. Barber: “The School for Scandal” Overture; Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2 (Karen Johnson, violin); Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5.

May 21-22 – Erin R. Freeman conducting. Beethoven: “Missa Solemnis” (Lori Hultgren, soprano; Marietta Simpson, mezzo-soprano; John McVeigh, tenor; Michael Dean, bass; Richmond Symphony Chorus, Freeman directing).


POPS
8 p.m. Saturdays, Carpenter Theatre, unless listed otherwise
Subscriptions: $88-$248

Oct. 9 – Steven Smith conducting. “Cirque de la Symphonie.”

Dec. 4 (8 p.m.), Dec. 5 (3 p.m.) – Erin R. Freeman conducting. “Let It Snow” holiday program (Richmond Symphony Chorus).

Jan. 22 – Erin R. Freeman conducting. “Fifty Years of Motown” (The Contours, guest stars).

March 12 – Carl Davis conducting. “The Music of James Bond.”


LOLLIPOPS
11 a.m. Saturdays, Carpenter Theatre
Subscriptions: $45 (adults), $36 (children)

Oct. 30 – Erin R. Freeman conducting. “Phantoms of the Orchestra” (Magic Circle Mime Company).

Feb. 19 – Erin R. Freeman conducting. Robert Kapilow’s “Green Eggs and Ham” (Michael Boudewyne, actor).

May 7 – Erin R. Freeman conducting. “Carnival of the Animals.”


SPECIALS
8 p.m., Carpenter Theatre

Dec. 3 – Erin R. Freeman conducting. Handel: “Messiah” (Rebecca Ringle, soprano; Katherine Jolly, mezzo-soprano; William Ferguson, tenor; Jason Hardy, baritone; Richmond Symphony Chorus, Erin R. Freeman directing). ($20-$45)

April 2 – Steven Smith conducting. Program TBA (Evelyn Glennie, percussion). ($27-$77)

Virginia Arts Festival 2010

An all-Chopin recital by the eminent pianist Maurizio Pollini, a new production of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass and chamber-music programs by the Orion and Cavani string quartets, cellist Alisa Weilerstein and pianist André-Michel Schub highlight the classical offerings of this year’s Virginia Arts Festival.

The festival, staged in southeastern Virginia venues from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach from April 15-June 6, also will feature dance attractions, including the Royal Birmingham Ballet in Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” the Richmond Ballet and the Garth Fagan and Pilobolus modern-dance troupes; theater productions; jazz and world-music programs; and the Virginia International Tattoo of military bands.

For a complete schedule of Virginia Arts Festival events, visit http://www.vafest.org/ For ticket information, visit the website or call (800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster).

The festival’s classical-music events:

April 16 (8 p.m., TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, Norfolk) – Anoushka Shankar, sitar. Indian classical pieces TBA. ($30-$40)

April 16 (8 p.m., Christ & St. Luke’s Epicopal Church, Norfolk) – Isabelle Demers, organ. Program TBA. ($25)

April 19 (8 p.m., Chandler Hall, Diehn Arts Center, Old Dominion University, Norfolk) – Trio Mediaeval. Program TBA. ($15)

April 23-24 (8 p.m., Chrysler Hall, Norfolk) – Virginia Symphony, JoAnn Falletta conducting. Bernstein: Mass (new production, incoporating music by Paul Simon and Stephen Schwartz) (Virginia Symphony Chorus, Robert Shoup directing; Virginia Children’s Chorus, Carol Thomas Downing directing; Todd Rosenlieb Dance; John McVeigh, celebrant; Pamela Berlin, director). ($25-$55)

April 27 (10:30 a.m., Ohef Shalom Temple, Norfolk) – Quartet New Generation. Fulvio Caldini: “Beata viscera;” Caldini: “Clockwork” Toccata; Frescobaldi: “Ricercar quarto, sopra mi-re-fa-mi;” Paul Moravec: “Mortal Flesh;” Handel: Fugue IV from “Six Figures” for harpsichord; Wojtek Blecharz: “Airlines;” Bach: Concerto and Fugue in C major, BWV 595/545. ($20)

April 27 (7:30 p.m., Chrysler Museum Theater, Norfolk) – David Russell, guitar. Program TBA. ($25)

April 28 (12:15 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach) – Peggy Kelley Reinburg, organ; Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theater. ($10 donation requested)

April 28 (7:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth) – Venice Baroque Orchestra, Andrea Marcon conducting, with Giuliano Carmignola, violin. Albinoni: Concerto in G major, Op. 7, No. 4; Vivaldi: Concerto in G minor, RV 152; Geminiani: Concerto grosso in D minor (“La Follia”); Vivaldi: Concerto in E minor, RV 273; Vivaldi: Concerto in D major for violin, strings and continuo, RV 222; Tartini: Concerto in D minor for violin, strings and continuo; Vivaldi: Concerto in C major for violin, strings and continuo, RV 191. ($35)

April 30 (12:15 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk) – Martin Sunderland, organ; David Vonderheide, trumpet. ($10 donation requested)

May 3 (12:15 p.m., Monumental United Methodist Church, Portsmouthg) – Rachel Gragson, organ; Barbara Chapman, harp. ($10 donation requested)

May 4 (10:30 a.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth) – Cavani String Quartet. Dvořák: Quartet in F major, Op. 96 (“American”). ($20)

May 4 (7:30 p.m., Harrison Opera House, Norfolk) – Maurizio Pollini, piano. Chopin: two nocturnes, op. 55; three mazurkas, op. 56; Berceuse in D flat major, op. 57; Barcarolle in F sharp major, op. 60; Polonaise-fantaisie in A-flat Major, op. 61; two nocturnes, op. 62; Sonata No. 3 in B minor, op. 58. ($20-$45)

May 5 (12:15 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk) – James Derr, organ; Kirsty Barnett Green, violin. ($10 donation requested)

May 6 (7:30 p.m., Chrysler Museum Theater, Norfolk) – Cavani String Quartet. Mozart: Adagio and Fugue in C minor; Mendelssohn: Quartet in A major, Op. 13; Beethoven: Quartet in E minor, Op. 59, No. 2 (“Razumovsky”). ($30)

May 7 (12:15 p.m., Main Street Methodist Church, Suffolk) – Thomas Matthews, organ; Kevin Piccini, oboe. ($10 donation requested)

May 8 (3 p.m., Grassfield High School, Chesapeake) – Virginia Wind Symphony, Dennis Zeisler directing. (Free)

May 10 (12:15 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk) – James Kosnik, organ; Joanne Meyer White, flute. ($10 donation requested)

May 10 (7:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Norfolk) – JoAnn Falletta & women of the Virginia Symphony. Schubert: Guitar Quartet; Muczynski: Wind Quintet, Op. 45; Glanville-Hicks: “Concertino Antico;” Ravel: String Quartet. ($30)

May 12 (12:15 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church, Hampton) – John Siderius, organ; Susan Hines, cello. ($10 donation requested)

May 14 (12:15 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth) – Diane Snider, organ; Elizabeth Coulter Vonderheide, violin. ($10 donation requested)

May 16 (5 p.m., Chrysler Museum, Norfolk), May 22 (8 p.m., Churchland Baptist Church, Chesapeake), May 30 (3 p.m., Williamsburg Presbyterian Church) – Virginia Chorale, Scott Williamson directing. “Perpetual Light,” requiems by Tomas Luis da Victoria and Ildebrando Pizzetti. ($25-$35)

May 17 (12:15 p.m., Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk) – Marjorie Setnicky, organ; Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theater. ($10 donation requested)

May 20 (7:30 p.m., American Theatre, Hampton) – Orion String Quartet. Bach: “Contrapunctus” No. 1 from “The Art of the Fugue;” Kirchner: Quartet No. 4; Beethoven: Quartet in E flat major, Op. 74 (“Harp”); Smetana: Quartet No. 1 (“From My Life”). ($40)

May 21 (10:30 a.m., Sandler Arts Center, Virginia Beach) – André-Michel Schub, piano; Orion String Quartet. Haydn: String Quartet in D major, Op. 76, No. 5; Schumann: Piano Quartet, Op. 47. ($20)

May 21 (8 p.m., Ferguson Arts Center, Newport News) – Boston Brass. Ginastera: “Danza final” from “Estancia;” Mozart: “The Marriage of Figaro” Overture; Piazzolla: “Tango Apasionado;” Lecuona: “Malaguena;” Kosma-Brubeck: “Autumn Leaves;” Moore: “Blues for Ben;” Golson: “I Remember Clifford;” Meyers-Pettis-Schoebel: “Bugle Call Rag.” ($32)

May 22 (8 p.m., Chrysler Hall, Norfolk) – Virginia Symphony, Brent Havens conducting, with Brody Dolyniuk, vocals. “Music of Queen: a Rock Symphony.” ($35-$50)

May 23 (6 p.m., Williamsburg Winery) – André-Michel Schub, piano, with Orion String Quartet. Schumann: Quartet in A minor, Op. 41, No. 1; Schumann: “Märchenbilder,” Op. 113; Schumann: Piano Quintet, Op. 44. ($40)

May 27 (7:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg) – Alisa Weilerstein, cello. Bach: Suite No. 3 in C major for solo cello, BWV 1009; Kodály: Sonata for cello, Op. 8. ($30)

May 28 (10:30 a.m., Williamsburg Winery) – JoAnn Falletta & women of the Virginia Symphony. Schubert: Guitar Quartet; Muczynski: Wind Quintet, Op. 45; Glanville-Hicks: “Concertino Antico;” Ravel: String Quartet. ($20)

May 30 (7 p.m., Virginia Room, Williamsburg Lodge) – Virginia Symphony, JoAnn Falleta conducting, with Alisa Weilerstein, cello. Handel: “Music for the Royal Fireworks;” Tchaikovsky: Suite No.4 in G major, op.61 (“Mozartiana”); Dvořák: Cello Concerto. ($35-$50)

June 6 (2 p.m., Chandler Hall, Diehn Arts Center, Old Dominion University, Norfolk) – New music by John Duffy Composers Institute participants. (Free)

April calendar

Classical performances in and around Richmond, with selected events elsewhere in Virginia and the Washington area. Program information, provided by presenters, is updated as details become available. Adult single-ticket prices are listed; senior, student/youth, group and other discounts may be offered.

SCOUTING REPORT

* In and around Richmond: Jeffrey Riehl conducts University of Richmond choristers and a baroque orchestra in Handel’s "Messiah," April 11 in UR’s Cannon Memorial Chapel. . . . Erin R. Freeman directs the Richmond Symphony Chorus in a rare program without the orchestra, including Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, "Look down, fair moon" by Richmond-bred composer Zachary Wadsworth and the arrangement of "Shenandoah" by the chorus’ founder, James Erb, April 16 at Second Baptist Church, April 18 at Grace Baptist Church. . . . The Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey performs on April 17 in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rennolds Chamber Concerts at the Singleton Arts Center. . . . James Wilson’s Richmond Festival of Music focuses on Brahms and Dvořák in chamber programs on April 18, 20 and 22 at First Unitarian Universalist Church. . . . Rachel Laurin performs in the finale of this season’s Repertoire Recital Series, presented by the Richmond chapter of the American Guild of Organists, April 19 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. . . . Steven Smith makes his debut as music director of the Richmond Symphony in a gala concert featuring violinist Gil Shaham, April 24 at the Carpenter Theatre of Richmond CenterStage. . . . The Virginia Opera production of The Gershwins’ "Porgy and Bess" comes to the Carpenter Theatre on April 30 (and May 2).

* New and/or different: Pianist Stephen Drury plays works of John Cage, Christian Wolff and Helmut Lachenmann, April 1 at UR’s Modlin Arts Center. . . . JoAnn Falleta conducts the Virginia Symphony in John Tavener’s "Popule Meus" (alongside Mahler’s Fourth Symphony), April 2 at Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Arts Center in Newport News, April 3 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, April 11 at Sandler Arts Center in Virginia Beach. . . . The University of Virginia’s New Music Ensembles plays music of Thomas Albert, Louis Andriessen, John Cage, Michael Colgrass, Steve Reich and Stuart Sanders Smith, April 8 in U.Va.’s Old Cabell Hall in Charlottesville. . . . The G Sharp Saxophone Quartet mixes classical with jazz, April 10 at the Richmond Public Library. . . . Peter Martin directs the VCU Percussion Ensemble in "Push Button, Turn Crank . . ." April 10 at the Singleton Arts Center. . . . Percussion Colin Currie plays Einojuhani Rautavaara’s "Incantations" with Hannu Lintu and the Baltimore Symphony, April 10 at Strathmore in the Maryland suburbs of D.C. . . . The Alexander and Afiria string quartets play works of Shostakovich, Martinů, Julia Wolfe, Lou Harrison, John Zorn and Aleksandra Vrebalov, April 16 at the Library of Congress in Washington. . . . In one of the highlights of this year’s Virginia Arts Festival, Falletta, the Virginia Symphony & Chorus and guests perform in a new production of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, incorporating music of Paul Simon and Stephen Schwartz, April 23-24 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk. . . . Judith Shatin’s "Jefferson, in His Own Words" receives its Virginia premiere, by Kate Tamarkin and the Charlottesville & University Symphony, April 24 at U.Va.’s Old Cabell Hall, April 25 at Monticello High School. . . . Quartet New Generation, an ensemble of recorders, blends contemporary pieces by Fulvio Caldini, Paul Moravec and Wojtek Blecharz with baroque music of Frescobaldi, Handel and Bach in a Virginia Arts Festival program, April 27 at Norfolk’s Ohef Shalom Temple. . . . The Biava Quartet, with mezzo-soprano Margaret Mezzacappa and pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski, perform French music of Jewish lineage by Alexandre Tansman, Darius Milhaud, Maurice Ravel and Charles-Valentin Alkan in a Musica Hebraica series program, April 29 at the Kennedy Center in Washington. . . . The Jack Quartet plays works of Matthias Pintscher, Jeff Myers and Iannis Xenakis, April 30 at the Library of Congress.

* Star turns: Pianist Lang Lang joins Christoph Eschenbach and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra in a program of Prokofiev and Beethoven, April 3 at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. . . . The Juilliard String Quartet plays Beethoven, Bartók and William Bolcom, April 9 at the Library of Congress. . . . Pianist Maurizio Pollini plays an all-Chopin program, April 15 at the Kennedy Center. . . . The Takács String Quartet plays Haydn, Beethoven and, with pianist Joyce Yang, Schumann, April 16 at Strathmore. . . . Violinist Julian Rachlin and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields play Grieg, Beethoven, Schubert and Piazzolla, April 17 at Newport News’ Ferguson Arts Center, April 18 at Fairfax’s GMU Center for the Arts. . . . Pianist Mitsuko Uchida plays Mozart and Schumann, April 21 at Strathmore. . . . Guitarist David Russell is featured in a Virginia Arts Festival recital, April 27 at the Chrysler Museum Theater in Norfolk. . . . Gil Shaham joins Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony in Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, April 29 at Strathmore. . . . Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet is featured in Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand and a new work by Giullaume Connesson with Hans Graf and the National Symphony, April 29-30 at the Kennedy Center.

* Bargain of the month: Pianist Charles Staples samples Chopin, Beethoven, Rameau, Debussy and Gershwin, April 11 at Bon Air Presbyterian Church. (Admission by donation)

* My picks: Juanjo Mena conducting the Baltimore Symphony in Nielsen’s "Inextinguishable" Symphony (No. 4) and Rodrigo’s "Concierto de estio" with violinist Jonathan Carney, April 15 at Strathmore. . . . The Takács Quartet and Yang, April 16 at Strathmore. . . . The Richmond Festival of Music’s Brahms-Dvořák-and-friends programs, April 18, 20 and 22 at First Unitarian. . . . Gil Shaham playing showpieces of Sarasate with Steven Smith and the Richmond Symphony (the orchestra also plays Ravel’s “Bolero” and “La Valse”), April 24 at the Carpenter Theatre.


April 1 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Patrick Smith, French horn
Dmitri Shteinberg, piano
program TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 1 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Stephen Drury, piano
John Cage: "Cheap Imitation"
Christian Wolff: "Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida"
Helmut Lachenmann: Serenade
Free
(804) 289-8980
www.modlin.richmond.edu

April 1 (7 p.m.)
April 2 (8 p.m.)
April 3 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Iván Fischer conducting
Bach: Mass in B minor
Dominique Labelle, soprano
Marie-Nicole Lemieux, alto
Michael Slattery, tenor
Thomas Bauer, baritone
University of Maryland Concert Choir
Edward Maclary directing
$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 1 (7:30 p.m.)
April 3 (7:30 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington
Washington National Opera
John Mauceri conducting
The Gershwins: "Porgy and Bess"
Eric Owens/Lester Lynch (Porgy)
Morenike Fadayomi/Indira Mahajan (Bess)
Terry Cook/Ashley Howard Wilkinson (Crown)
Jermaine Smith/Larry D. Hylton (Sportin’ Life)
Alyson Cambridge (Clara)
Eric Greene/Darren Stokes (Jake)
Lisa Daltirus/Karen Slack (Serena)
Francesca Zambello, stage director
in English, with captions
$50-$300
(800) 876-7372
www.dc-opera.org

April 2 (8 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
April 3 (8 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 201 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
April 11 (2:30 p.m.)
Sandler Arts Center, 201 Market St., Virginia Beach
Virginia Symphony
JoAnn Falletta conducting
John Tavener: "Popule Meus"
Michael Daniels, cello
Mahler: Symphony No. 4
soprano TBA
$25-$85
(757) 892-6366
www.virginiasymphony.org

April 3 (8 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach conducting
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 ("Classical")
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
Lang Lang, piano
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
$30-$62
(703) 993-2787
http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/month/2010/4/

April 3 (8 p.m.)
Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, Sixth and I streets NW, Washington
Joseph Lin, violin
Bach: partitas Nos. 1-3
$40 (general admission)
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society)
www.wpas.org

April 6 (8 p.m.)
Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland St.
Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg:
Garth Newel Piano Quartet
program TBA
$15 (waiting list)
(757) 258-4814
www.chambermusicwilliamsburg.org

April 7 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Peter Martin, percussion
program TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 7 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
University Orchestra
Alexander Kordzaia conducting
Schumann: "Introduction and Allegro appassionato," Op. 92
Paul Hanson, piano
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor (finale)
Joanne Kong, piano
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550
Free
(804) 289-8980
www.modlin.richmond.edu

April 8 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
UVa New Music Ensemble
I-Jen Fang directing
Ayn Balija, violin
works by Thomas Albert, Louis Andriessen, John Cage, Michael Colgrass, Steve Reich, Stuart Sanders Smith
Free
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

April 9 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Virginia Glee Club
works by Judith Shatin, Randall Thompson, George Gershwin, others
$15
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

April 9 (8 p.m.)
Salem Civic Center, Boulevard Roanoke
Roanoke Symphony Pops
David Stewart Wiley conducting
Aaron Neville & Quintet, guest stars
$19-$64
(540) 343-9127
www.rso.com

April 9 (8 p.m.)
Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington
Juilliard String Quartet
Bartók: Quartet No. 2
William Bolcom: Second Violin Sonata
Beethoven: Quartet in F major, Op. 135
Free; tickets required
(703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/0910-schedule.html

April 10 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets
G Sharp Saxophone Quartet
classical, jazz works TBA
Free
(804) 646-7223
www.richmondpubliclibrary.org

April 10 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Percussion Ensemble
Peter Martin directing
"Push Button, Turn Crank . . ." works TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 10 (8 p.m.)
April 11 (2:30 p.m.)
April 14 (7:30 p.m.)
April 16 (8 p.m.)
April 18 (2:30 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, 160 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Opera
Peter Mark conducting
The Gershwins: "Porgy and Bess"
Michael Redding (Porgy)
Kearstin Piper Brown (Bess)
Timothy Robert Blevins (Crown)
Lawrence Craig (Sportin’ Life)
Nicole Jenkins (Clara)
Kevin Moreno (Jake)
Aundi Marie Moore (Serena)
Greg Ganakas, stage director
in English, English captions
$25-$114
(866) 673-7282
www.vaopera.org

April 10 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Virginia Women’s Chorus
works by Mendelssohn, Schubert, Vivaldi, others
$15
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

April 10 (2 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Vocal Arts Society:
Patricia Racette, soprano
Richard Montgomery High School Choir
Duke Ellington School for the Arts Chorus
New Dominion Chorale
National Master Chorale
other performers TBA
program TBA
Free; tickets required
(202) 365-9064
www.kennedy-center.org

April 10 (7:30 p.m.)
Family Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Paulo Steinberg, piano
program TBA
$25
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 10 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu conducting
Sibelius: "Finlandia"
Einojuhani Rautavaara: "Incantations"
Colin Currie, percussion
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
$30-$90
(877) 276-1444
www.strathmore.org

April 11 (4 p.m.)
Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road, Richmond
Second Sunday South of the James:
Charles Staples, piano
Rameau: Gavotte and Variations
Beethoven: Sonata in E minor, Op. 90
Debussy: "L'Isle joyeuse"
Chopin: Barcarolle, Op. 60
Gershwin: "Rhapsody in Blue" (Staples arr.)
Donation requested
(804) 272-7514

April 11 (5 p.m.)
Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond
Schola Cantorum, Women’s Chorale & University Choir
baroque orchestra
Jeffrey Riehl conducting
Handel: "Messiah"
soloists TBA
Free
pre-concert lecture at 4 p.m.
(804) 289-8980
www.modlin.richmond.edu

April 11 (3:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
UVa Early Music Ensemble
Paul Walker directing
"Les Nations: National Musics in Early Modern Europe," works by Victoria, Byrd, Gabrieli, Frescobaldi, Corelli, Telemann
Free
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

April 12 (8 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Charles Staples, piano
program TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 12 (8 p.m.)
April 13 (8 p.m.)
Kimball Theatre, Merchants Square, Williamsburg
Williamsburg Symphonia
Janna Hymes conducting
Bach: "Brandenburg" Concerto No. 5
Britten: "Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge"
Shchedrin: ""Carmen Suite"
$30-$42
(757) 229-9857
www.williamsburgsymphonia.org

April 14 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
University Wind Ensemble
David Niethamer directing
soloists TBA
Barber: "Commando March"
David Gillingham: "Be Thou My Vision"
Mendelssohn: Overture in C major
Gillingham: Marimba Concerto No. 2 (third movement)
Ari Corson, marimba
Heather Stebbins: "Sails"
Gordon Jacob: "An Original Suite"
Robert W. Smith: "Paradiso"
Free
(804) 289-8980
www.modlin.richmond.edu

April 14 (7:30 p.m.)
American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton
Romeo and Julia Chorus
Renaissance program TBA
$25-$30
(757) 722-2787
www.hamptonarts.net

April 14 (8 p.m.)
Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington
Henschel Quartet
Schumann: Quartet in A minor, Op. 41, No. 1
Barber: Quartet No. 1, Op. 11
Schumann: Quartet A major, Op. 41, No. 3
Free; tickets required
(703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/0910-schedule.html

April 15 (5 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
John O’Conor, piano, in master class
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 15 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Maurizio Pollini, piano
Chopin: nocturnes, Op. 27
Chopin: preludes, Op. 28
Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23
Chopin: Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20
Chopin: études, Op. 25
$35-$95
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society)
www.wpas.org

April 15 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Juanjo Mena conducting
Respighi: "Ancient Airs and Dances" Suite No. 2
Rodrigo: "Concierto de estio"
Jonathan Carney, violin
Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 ("Inextinguishable")
$30-$90
(877) 276-1444
www.strathmore.org

April 16 (8 p.m.)
Second Baptist Church, River and Gaskins roads, Richmond
April 18 (3 p.m.)
Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Road, Richmond
Richmond Symphony Chorus
Erin R. Freeman directing
Michael Simpson, piano
Britten: "Rejoice in the Lamb"
Barber: "Reincarnations"
Mendelssohn: "Ave Maria"
Rachmaninoff: Vespers
Adolphus Hailstork: "Arise, My Beloved" from "Song of Solomon"
Zachary Wadsworth: "Look down, fair moon"
Trad.: "Shenandoah" (James Erb arr.)
Copland: "Zion’s Walls"
Donations accepted
(804) 788-4717
www.richmondsymphony.com

April 16 (8 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Commonwealth Singers
John Guthmiller directing
VCU Women’s Choir
Rebecca Tyree directing
program TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 16 (8 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
April 17 (8 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 201 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
Virginia Symphony
JoAnn Falletta conducting
Roberto Sierra: Sinfonia No. 4
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2
Jon Klibonoff, piano
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
$25-$85
(757) 892-6366
www.virginiasymphony.org

April 16 (8 p.m.)
TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, 340 Granby St., Norfolk
Virginia Arts Festival:
Anoushka Shankar, sitar
Indian classical works TBA
$30-$40
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 16 (8 p.m.)
Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk
Virginia Arts Festival:
Isabelle Demers, organ
program TBA
$25
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 16 (8 p.m.)
Newcomb Hall Ballroom, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Palladian Chamber Orchestra
David Sariti, leader
Haydn: Symphony No. 87
Fauré: Pavane
Mendelssohn: "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" incidental music (excerpts)
Free
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

April 16 (8 p.m.)
Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington
Alexander String Quartet
Afiara String Quartet
Julia Wolfe: "Mink Stole"
Lou Harrison: "Quartet Set"
John Zorn: "Cat o’ Nine Tails"
Aleksandra Vrebalov: "Pannonia Boundless"
Martinů: Sextet
Shostakovich: Octet
Free; tickets required
(703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/0910-schedule.html

April 16 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Takács String Quartet
Joyce Yang, piano
Haydn: Quartet in D major, Op. 71, No. 2
Beethoven: Quartet in C major, Op. 59, No. 3 ("Razumovsky")
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op. 44
$25-$75
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society)
www.wpas.org

April 17 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets
Hyunja Lee, piano
French, Russian, American works TBA
Free
(804) 646-7223
www.richmondpubliclibrary.org

April 17 (8 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Rennolds Chamber Concerts:
Pieter Wispelwey, cello
Paolo Giacometti, piano
Beethoven: Variations on "See the conqu'ring hero comes" from Handel's "Judas Maccabeus"
Schubert: "Arpeggione" Sonata, D. 821
Beethoven: Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen" from Mozart's "The Magic Flute"
Beethoven: Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen" from Mozart's "The Magic Flute"
Schubert-Wispelway: Fantasy in C major, D. 934
$32
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 17 (8 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Julian Rachlin, leader & violin
Grieg: "Holberg" Suite
Beethoven: Sonata in A major, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer")
Schubert: "Arpeggione" Sonata (viola and strings arr.)
Piazzolla: "Four Seasons of Buenos Aires"
$32-$57
(757) 594-8752
http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/artists/index.html

April 17 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
April 19 (8 p.m.)
St. Aloysius Church, 19 I St. NW, Washington
University Singers & Chamber Singers
chamber orchestra
Michael Slon conducting
Bach: Mass in B minor
soloists TBA
$15
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

April 17 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Pops
Steven Reineke conducting
Michael Cavnaugh, guest star
"The Music of Billy Joel and More"
$20-$80
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 17 (8 p.m.)
Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington
Alexander String Quartet
Robert Greenberg, lecturer
Beethoven: Quartet in B flat major, Op. 130
Free; tickets required
(703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/0910-schedule.html

April 17 (8 p.m.)
April 18 (3 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
National Philharmonic
Piotr Gajewski conducting
Mozart: "The Abduction from the Seraglio" Overture
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor
Soovin Kim, violin
Mahler: Symphony No. 4
Arianna Zukerman, soprano
$29-$79
(540) 569-0267
www.stauntonmusicfestival.com

April 18 (5 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Antoine Clark, clarinet
Emily Yap Chua, piano
program TBA
Free
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 18 (4 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon, Richmond
Richmond Festival of Music:
Diane Pascal & Erin Keefe, violin
Lily Francis, violin & viola
Roger Tapping, viola
James Wilson, cello
Anthony Manzo, double-bass
Gabriel Dobner & Carsten Schmidt, piano
Brahms: Piano Trio in C major, Op. 87
Heinrich von Herzogenberg: "Variations on a Theme of Brahms"
H.T. Burleigh: "Southland Sketches"
Dvořák: Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 87
$25
(804) 519-2098
www.cmscva.org

April 18 (3 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 201 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
Virginia Symphony
Matthew Kraemer conducting
Jon Klibonoff, piano
Family Classics: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
$10-$20
(757) 892-6366
www.virginiasymphony.org

April 18 (3:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Rivanna String Quartet
Beethoven: Quartet in F minor, Op. 95 ("Serioso")
Haydn: Quartet in F major, Op. 50, No. 5
Schubert: "Quartettsatz"
Janácek: Quartet No. 1 ("Kreutzer Sonata")
$20
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

April 18 (4 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Julian Rachlin, leader & violin
Grieg: "Holberg" Suite
Beethoven: Sonata in A major, Op. 47 ("Kreutzer")
Schubert: "Arpeggione" Sonata (viola and strings arr.)
Piazzolla: "Four Seasons of Buenos Aires"
$30-$60
(703) 993-2787
http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/month/2010/4/

April 19 (4:30 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets
Richmond Festival of Music:
Roger Tapping, viola, in master class
Free
(804) 519-2098
http://www.cmscva.org/

April 19 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
University Band
Terry Austin directing
program TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 19 (7:30 p.m.)
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4103 Monument Ave., Richmond
American Guild of Organists Repertoire Recital Series:
Rachel Laurin, organ
program TBA
Donations accepted
(804) 355-6885
www.richmondago.org

April 19 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
University Chamber Ensembles
program TBA
Free
(804) 289-8980
www.modlin.richmond.edu

April 19 (7:30 p.m.)
American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton
Opus One piano quartet
program TBA
$25-$30
(757) 722-2787
www.hamptonarts.net

April 19 (8 p.m.)
Chandler Hall, Diehn Arts Center, Old Dominion University, Norfolk
Virginia Arts Festival:
Trio Mediaeval
program TBA
$15
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 20 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Flute Choir
program TBA
Free
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 20 (7:30 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon, Richmond
Richmond Festival of Music:
Diane Pascal & Erin Keefe, violin
Will Frampton, violin & viola
Roger Tapping, viola
James Wilson, cello
Anthony Manzo, double-bass
Gabriel Dobner & Carsten Schmidt, piano
Johann Strauss II: "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" (Wilson & Schmidt arr.)
Brahms: Hungarian dances TBA
Bach: Klavier Concerto in F major
Brahms: Viola Quintet in G major, Op. 111
$25
(804) 519-2098
www.cmscva.org

April 20 (8 p.m.)
Kimball Theatre, Merchants Square, Williamsburg
Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg:
Opus One piano quartet
program TBA
$20
(757) 258-4814
www.chambermusicwilliamsburg.org

April 20 (8 p.m.)
Dickinson Auditorium, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville
Charlottesville Municipal Band
works by Gershwin, Sousa, Leroy Anderson, John Williams, others
Free
(434) 961-5376

April 21 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Terry Austin directing
program TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 21 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Marietta Simpson, mezzo-soprano
John Aler, tenor
Bernard McDonald & Evelyn Curenton, piano
Bach: "Bist du bei mir," BWV 508
Schubert: "Im Abendrot"
Schubert: "Die Allmacht"
Schumann: "Auf den hebräischen"
David Diamond: "David mourns for Absalom"
Herbert Howells: "King David"
Britten: Canticle II: "Abraham and Isaac"
Bach: "Jesus, lover of my soul," "Just when I need Him most," "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" (Curenton arr.)
Richard Smallwood: "Total Praise" (Curenton arr.)
Charles Miles: "Dwelling in Beulah Land" (Curenton arr.)
Francis Allitsen: "The Lord Is My Light" (Curenton arr.)
$32
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 21 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Mitsuko Uchida, piano
Mozart: Sonata in A minor, K. 310
Schumann: "Davidsbündlertänze," Op. 8
Schumann: Fantasy in C major, Op. 17
$37-$87
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society)
www.wpas.org

April 22 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Chamber Brass Ensembles
program TBA
Free
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 22 (7:30 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon, Richmond
Richmond Festival of Music:
Diane Pascal & Erin Keefe, violin
Carmit Zori, viola
Roger Tapping, viola
James Wilson, cello
Anthony Manzo, double-bass
Gabriel Dobner & Carsten Schmidt, piano
Dvořák: two waltzes
Josef Suk: "Meditation on the St. Wenceslas Hymn"
Jan Novak: work TBA
Dvořák: Bass Quintet in G major, Op. 77
$25
(804) 519-2098
www.cmscva.org

April 23 (8 p.m.)
April 24 (8 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 201 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
Virginia Arts Festival:
Virginia Symphony
JoAnn Falletta conducting
Bernstein: Mass, incorporating music by Paul Simon and Stephen Schwartz
Virginia Symphony Chorus, Robert Shoup directing
Virginia Children’s Chorus, Carol Thomas Downing directing
Todd Rosenlieb Dance
John McVeigh, Celebrant
Pamela Berlin, director
$25-$55
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 23 (7:30 p.m.)
Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St., Staunton
Staunton Music Festival Springfest:
Kevin McMillan, baritone
Gabriel Dobner, piano
Schubert: "Die schöne Müllerin"
$20
(540) 569-0267
www.stauntonmusicfestival.com

April 23 (8 p.m.)
April 25 (2 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Virginia Opera
Peter Mark conducting
The Gershwins: "Porgy and Bess"
Michael Redding (Porgy)
Kearstin Piper Brown (Bess)
Timothy Robert Blevins (Crown)
Lawrence Craig (Sportin’ Life)
Nicole Jenkins (Clara)
Kevin Moreno (Jake)
Aundi Marie Moore (Serena)
Greg Ganakas, stage director
in English, English captions
$44-$98
(703) 993-2787
www.vaopera.org

April 24 (8 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony
Steven Smith conducting
De Falla: "The Three-Cornered Hat" Suite No. 2
Massenet: "Meditation" from "Thaïs"
Debussy: "Clair de lune"
Debussy: "L’Isle joyeuse"
Ravel: "Bolero"
Ravel: "La Valse"
Sarasate: Fantasy on Bizet’s "Carmen"
Sarasate: "Zigeunerweisen"
Gil Shaham, violin
$27-$76
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.richmondsymphony.com

April 24 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
April 25 (3:30 p.m.)
Monticello High School, 1400 Independence Way, Charlottesville
Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra
Kate Tamarkin conducting
Barber: Essay No. 2, Op. 17
Judith Shatin: "Jefferson, in His Own Words"
narrator TBA
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”)
$20-$35
(434) 924-3376
www.cvillesymphony.org

April 24 (noon)
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin College, Staunton
April 25 (2 p.m.)
Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St., Staunton
Staunton Music Festival Springfest:
Festival Young Artist Fellows
Schubert: Lieder TBA
Brahms: Lieder TBA
Free
(540) 569-0267
www.stauntonmusicfestival.com

April 24 (7:30 p.m.)
301 E. Beverley St., Staunton
Staunton Music Festival Springfest:
Diane Pascal, violin
James Wilson, cello
Gabriel Dobner & Carsten Schmidt, piano
Festival Young Artist Fellows
Schubert: Notturno in E flat major
Brahms: three Hungarian dances
Schubert: Lieder TBA
Brahms: Sonata in D minor, Op. 108, for violin and piano
$35 (limited seating)
(540) 569-0267
www.stauntonmusicfestival.com

April 24 (7 p.m.)
April 26 (7 p.m.)
April 27 (7:30 p.m.)
April 29 (7:30 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington
Washington National Opera
Patrick Fournellier conducting
Mozart: "The Marriage of Figaro"
Ildar Abrazakov/Kostas Smoriginas (Figaro)
Veronica Camgeni/Amanda Squitieri (Susanna)
Virginia Tola/Stefanie C. Braun (Countess Almaviva)
Teddy Tahu Rhodes/Trevor Scheunemann (Count Almaviva)
Michèle Losier/Renata Pokupic (Cherubino)
Valeriano Lanchas (Bartolo)
Victoria Livengood (Marcellina)
Robert Baker (Don Basilio)
José Ortega (Don Curzio)
Harry Silverstein, stage director
in Italian, English captions
$50-$300
(800) 876-7372
www.dc-opera.org

April 24 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Cantate Chamber Singers
Gisèle Becker directing
Schoenberg: "Friede auf Erden"
Britten: "Five Flower Songs"
Debussy: "Trois chansons"
Barber: "Reincarnations"
Stravinsky: Mass
Bowen McCauley Dance
Lucy Bowen McCauley directing
$38
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 25 (4 p.m.)
Black Music Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Grove Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Guitar Ensemble
John Patykula directing
program TBA
Free
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 25 (7 p.m.)
Black Music Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Grove Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Ira Gold, double-bass
program TBA
$10
(804) 828-6776
www.vcumusic.org

April 25 (4 p.m.)
Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St., Staunton
Staunton Music Festival Springfest:
Diane Pascal, violin
James Wilson, cello
Gabriel Dobner & Carsten Schmidt, piano
Kevin McMillan, baritone
University of Virginia Chamber Singers, Michael Slon directing
Brahms: Lieder TBA
Brahms: Piano Trio in C major, Op. 87
Schubert: Fantasie in F minor for piano four-hands
Schubert: Psalm 92 ("Tov l’hodot l’adonai")
Brahms: "Liebeslieder" waltzes (excerpts)
$20
(540) 569-0267
www.stauntonmusicfestival.com

April 25 (2 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Kennedy Center Chamber Players
Ravel: Introduction and Allegro
Dutilleux: "Ainsi la nuit"
Dvořák: String Sextet in A major, Op. 48
$35
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 26 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Escher String Quartet
Bartók: Quartet No. 2
Brahms: Quartet in C minor, Op. 51, No. 1
Beethoven: Quartet in E minor, Op. 59, No. 2 ("Razumovsky")
$32
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 27 (10:30 a.m.)
Ohef Shalom Temple, 530 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk
Virginia Arts Festival:
Quartet New Generation
Fulvio Caldini: "Beata viscera"
Caldini: "Clockwork" Toccata
Frescobaldi: "Ricercar quarto, sopra mi-re-fa-mi"
Paul Moravec: "Mortal Flesh"
Handel: Fugue IV from "Six Figures" for harpsichord
Wojtek Blecharz: "Airlines"
Bach: Concerto and Fugue in C major, BWV 595/545
$20
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 27 (7:30 p.m.)
Chrysler Museum Theater, 245 W. Olney Road, Norfolk
Virginia Arts Festival:
David Russell, guitar
program TBA
$25
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 27 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Tuesday Evening Concerts:
Venice Baroque Orchestra
Andrea Marcon conducting
Albinoni: Concerto in G major, Op. 7, No. 4
Vivaldi: Concerto in G minor, RV 152
Geminiani: Concerto grosso in D minor ("La Follia")
Vivaldi: Concerto in E minor, RV 273
Vivaldi: Concerto in D major for violin, strings and continuo, RV 222
Tartini: Concerto in D minor for violin, strings and continuo
Vivaldi: Concerto in C major for violin, strings and continuo, RV 191
Giuliano Carmignola, violin
$12-$25
(434) 924-3376
www.tecs.org

April 27 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Young Concert Artists Series:
Bella Hritsova, violin
Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano
Beethoven: Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30, No. 3
Corigliano: Sonata for violin and piano
Messiaen: Fantasie
Saint-Saëns: Sonata No. 1 in D minor
$30
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 28 (12:15 p.m.)
First Presbyterian Church, 300 36th St., Virginia Beach
Virginia Arts Festival:
Peggy Kelley Reinberg, organ
Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theater
program TBA
$10 donation requested
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 28 (7:30 p.m.)
Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 Court St., Portsmouth
Virginia Arts Festival:
Venice Baroque Orchestra
Andrea Marcon conducting
Albinoni: Concerto in G major, Op. 7, No. 4
Vivaldi: Concerto in G minor, RV 152
Geminiani: Concerto grosso in D minor ("La Follia")
Vivaldi: Concerto in E minor, RV 273
Vivaldi: Concerto in D major for violin, strings and continuo, RV 222
Tartini: Concerto in D minor for violin, strings and continuo
Vivaldi: Concerto in C major for violin, strings and continuo, RV 191
Giuliano Carmignola, violin
$35
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 29 (7 p.m.)
April 30 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Hans Graf conducting
Debussy: "Images"
Giullaume Connesson: new work TBA for piano and orchestra
Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left hand
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Ravel: "Daphnis et Chloë" Suite No. 2
$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 29 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Musica Hebraica:
Biava Quartet
Margaret Mezzacappa, mezzo-soprano
Konstantin Soukhovetski, piano
Alexandre Tansman: Quartet No. 5
Milhaud: "Études sur des thèmes liturgiques du Comtat Venaissin"
Milhaud: Quartet No. 7
Milhaud: "La Création du monde"
Ravel: three Jewish songs
Charles-Valentin Alkan: "Trois anciennes melodies Juives"
Alkan: "Deuxieme verset du 41 Psaume"
$38
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

April 29 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop conducting
Jonathan Leshnoff: "Starburst" (premiere)
Stravinsky: Violin Concerto
Gil Shaham, violin
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2
$30-$90
(877) 276-1444
www.strathmore.org

April 30 (8 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Virginia Opera
Peter Mark conducting
The Gershwins: "Porgy and Bess"
Michael Redding (Porgy)
Kearstin Piper Brown (Bess)
Timothy Robert Blevins (Crown)
Lawrence Craig (Sportin’ Life)
Nicole Jenkins (Clara)
Kevin Moreno (Jake)
Aundi Marie Moore (Serena)
Triumphant Baptist, Ebenezer Baptist, Quioccasin Baptist & Sharon Baptist church choirs
Greg Ganakas, stage director
in English, English captions
$29-$99
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)www.vaopera.org

April 30 (12:15 p.m.)
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 St. Paul’s Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Arts Festival:
Martin Sunderland, organ
David Vonderheide, trumpet
program TBA
$10 donation requested
(800) 982-2787 (Ticketmaster)
www.vafest.org

April 30 (8 p.m.)
Shaftman Performance Hall, Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Roanoke
Opera Roanoke
Roanoke Symphony & Chorus
Steven White conducting
Donizetti: "Lucia di Lammermoor" (concert presentation)
Amy Cofield (Lucia)
other singers TBA
$20-$80
(540) 982-2742
www.operaroanoke.org

April 30 (8 p.m.)
Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington
Jack Quartet
Matthias Pintscher: "Study IV for Treatise on the Veil"
Jeff Myers: "Dopamine"
Xenakis: "Tetras"
Free; tickets required
(703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/0910-schedule.html