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Spotlight: Kyung Wha Chung — Wednesday, McCarter Theater, Princeton, NJ
It has been several decades since legendary violinist Kyung Wha Chung last appeared in the area, and her recital at McCarter Theater in Princeton this week marks her first visit there in 40 years. A trailblazer in classical music, Chung was among the first internationally acclaimed Asian soloists to achieve major success on the global stage. She will be joined by pianist Kevin Kenner or a program that showcases her fiery virtuosity and deeply expressive musicianship: Schumann’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105; Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45; and Franck’s Violin Sonata in A major, a signature work for her. For me, this is the pick of the week, a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear an artist of her stature.
Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Matthews Theater, McCarter Theater Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, $44-$104; tickets and information.
Modigliani Quartet — Thursday, Perelman Theater
A little closer to Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society is welcoming the Modigliani Quartet to Center City on Thursday. Celebrating two decades as an ensemble, it has been a few years since they last brought their elegant and stylistic interpretations to Philadelphia classical music lovers. Their program this week is an interesting look backwards, starting with György Kurtág’s 1977 12 Microludes for String Quartet, Op. 13, which align with the 12 tones of the chromatic scale. Micro is an apt descriptor, as some of the movements last less than 60 seconds! Then, the idea of scale and transformation is further explored with Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op 18. (published 1801) and his String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3 — which bears the moniker “Eroica” due to its triumphant finale.
Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, $32; tickets and information.
West Chester Partners — Thursday at West Chester University, Nov. 9 at Settlement Music School, Germantown
The always provocative and inspiring Network for New Music offers its West Chester Partners program. In its second year as Contemporary Ensemble in Residence at West Chester University, Network presents a program of new works by WCU faculty and students. The concert features three world premieres: That Radiant Outburst (Adam Silverman) for clarinet, cello, marimba and piano; Nonstandard Deviations (Mark Rimple) for bass clarinet, electric guitar and cello; and not say a word (Ari Sussman) for solo piano. In addition, student-composer readings and recordings complete the program that showcases the inventive spirit of the next generation. There are two chances to hear this program, on the campus of West Chester University on Thursday, Nov. 6, and again on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Settlement Music School on Germantown Avenue.
Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Ware Recital Hall, West Chester University, 817 South High Street, West Chester, free, with reservations recommended;
Nov. 9 at 3 p.m., Settlement Music School Germantown Branch, 6128 Germantown Avenue, reservations recommended, $2.99-$26.50; tickets and information.
Mozart Coronation Mass — Friday, Perelman Theater
There’s a lot of Mozart being performed in our area this week, including the Academy of Vocal Arts’ Le nozze di Figaro and the Wayne Oratorio Society’s free performance of Mozart’s Requiem (with bass soloist John Scherch!) and Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg. You can take in all three as they’re on different nights, but if you only have time for one, stop by the Vox Amadeus All-Mozart program featuring the penultimate Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550, Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, Exsultate Jubilate, K. 165, and the Mass in C major “Coronation,” K. 317. Each of the works on the program is an undoubted masterpiece, but if the Requiem can be heard annually in Philadelphia, the Coronation Mass is not as frequently heard in live performance.
Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, $83.16 - $34; tickets and information.
Looking ahead:
Curtis Opera Theater’s L’Orfeo — Nov. 14 and 16, Philadelphia Film Center
There’s something exciting about peeking in on the creation of an art form, and that’s what you get when experiencing Claudio Monteverdi’s 1607 L’Orfeo, written at the dawn of opera as a genre. The oft-visited Greek myth of a musician trying to reclaim his beloved from the underworld still inspires opera composers today. This is your chance to see how it inspired a form of art that delights and inspires us today.
Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., Nov. 16 at 2 p.m., Mainstage Theater, Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, sold out, but a waitlist is available; more information.
