The tri-state area is packed with great options for concerts almost every night this week. There’s something for every level of commitment and price point, including a concert with one of classical music’s biggest names.
Spotlight: Lang Lang and Yannick — Tuesday, Marian Anderson Hall
Lang Lang, one of the true global superstars of the piano, joins The Philadelphia Orchestra on Tuesday night for a one-off concert. He’ll perform Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto, alongside Yannick Nézet-Séguin, in what will surely be a dazzling display of virtuosity and expression. The second half of the program brings another piece familiar to audiences, Brahms’ Second Symphony. Both halves will surely bring out the best qualities and strengths of the renowned “Philadelphia Sound” the orchestra has cultivated for many decades. The Orchestra’s musicians are donating their services as a benefit concert for the Musicians’ Retirement Fund.
April 7 at 7:30 p.m., Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S Broad Street, $133-$300; tickets and information.
Temple University Studio Orchestra and Choirs — Monday, Marian Anderson Hall
As a service of Temple University, we at WRTI love to highlight students from the Boyer College of Music and Dance. On Monday, three of Boyer’s premier ensembles will perform their biggest showcase concert of the year at the Kimmel Center’s Marian Anderson Hall. It will showcase fresh talent performing highly relevant and accessible repertoire. The innovative Temple University Studio Orchestra, a combination of a jazz big band and a full symphony orchestra, will perform the world premiere of TWO FIVE O, Reflections by John Clayton in honor of America's 250th anniversary. The Temple University Symphony Orchestra and Choir round out the anniversary celebration with Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, and works for choir and orchestra by Rollo Dilworth (Boyer’s Chair of Choral Music), and William Grant Still.
April 6 at 7:30 p.m., Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S Broad Street, $29-$50; tickets and information.
Calidore String Quartet with Ricardo Morales — Monday, Gore Recital Hall, University of Delaware
WRTI listeners in Delaware should always keep in mind various concert offerings that take place at the University of Delaware. The next one is happening with the Calidore String Quartet, the Distinguished String Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Delaware. They have spent the last decade or so firmly establishing themselves as one of the top American string quartets. Tomorrow they are joined by Ricardo Morales, principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and one of the most artistic musicians in his generation. They’ll perform for Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet together, on a program that also features Mozart’s String Quartet No. 22, K.589, and Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade.
April 6 at 5:30 p.m., Gore Recital Hall, Roselle Center for the Arts, 110 Orchard Road, Newark, Delaware, $15; tickets and information.
Imani Winds — Tuesday, Benjamin Franklin Hall
Quatour Ébène — Thursday, Perelman Theater
The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society boasts many sold out concerts each season. However, there are always last-minute cancellations in the week leading up to each concert, providing waitlist members ample opportunities to attend. Two popular offerings this week are worth your consideration for joining the waitlist. The first is Imani Winds, the premier American touring wind quintet, who performs at Benjamin Franklin Hall in Old City. They are masters of the standard repertoire, but are also known for presenting exciting new works, custom arrangements, and music from a wide range of genres. This is more of what you’ll get on their program titled “Grooves and Meditations.”
The second sold out concert this week is with the French string quartet Quatour Ébène. With 4 GRAMMY awards and other accolades, they have earned a status as one of the world’s hottest string quartets. Sometimes they perform music in the pop and jazz realms, but this concert will bring standard works from Beethoven, Ravel, and Brahms. Also of note: WRTI’s Zev Kane will present the pre-concert talk starting at 6:30 in the Kimmel Center’s Comcast Circle.
Imani Winds: April 7 at 7:30 p.m., American Philosophical Society, 427 Chestnut Street, $27; tickets and information.
Quatour Ébène: April 9 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S Broad Street; tickets and information.
The Philadelphia Orchestra — Thursday, Marian Anderson Hall
If the Philadelphia Orchestra was not already busy enough this week, they’ll follow up with four performances of Mozart’s Requiem. The very last piece that he wrote out of his 600+ work catalog, it has become a fan favorite among even casual classical music concertgoers. The orchestra is joined by four renowned vocal soloists, the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, and conductor Harry Bicket. He’ll also lead the orchestra in Mozart’s 40th Symphony. The run includes three concerts with earlier start times, leaving plenty of options for those who are unable, or prefer not, to be out later at night.
April 9-12 at various times, Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S Broad Street, $38-$252; tickets and information.
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer — Friday, Independence Seaport Museum Theatre
This week also offers a very light and casual event for those not in the mood for a more formal atmosphere. Candlelight Concerts are known for presenting popular music tunes played with classical music stylings, and often use the instrumentation of a string quartet. This time around, they’ll swap stage lighting for hundreds of candles as a quartet plays hits by one of the most well-known film composers, Hans Zimmer. The theatre at the Independence Seaport Museum is the perfect fit for this ambience, and is a great excuse to explore a part of the city you might not normally go to.
April 10 at 6:30 p.m., Independence Seaport Museum Theatre, 211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, $35-$50; tickets and information.
Andy Brown, Curtis Institute — Saturday, All Hallows Episcopal Church
For those who live north of Philly and are not in the mood for a trek downtown, this week you have a great free option at All Hallows Episcopal Church in Wyncote. There you can see current Curtis Institute of Music organ student
. He’s already made a name for himself as a recitalist who performs around the country, and holds two positions at major churches as an organist. Be sure to reserve a ticket if you plan on attending this concert.
April 11 at 7 p.m., All Hallows Episcopal Church, 262 Bent Rd, Wyncote, PA, free; tickets and information.
