With Halloween behind us, we’re officially in the thick of the holiday season. Performing arts organizations are now in a mad dash over the next few weeks as they squeeze in as much as they can before Thanksgiving weekend. A concert calendar this stacked, without holiday-themed repertoire, will not return until mid-February. Get out there while you can!
Spotlight: Curtis Symphony Orchestra: Yannick Leads Mahler 9 — Nov. 8, Marian Anderson Hall
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is objectively one of the busiest conductors in the industry as he splits time between three major positions with orchestras in North America, and numerous other guest conducting appearances in Europe. Somehow, he still carves out time for his post as Head of Conducting at the Curtis Institute. Luckily for the students there, this includes him joining them on Sunday evening for a concert in Marian Anderson Hall.
The eternally vibrant Curtis Symphony Orchestra is certainly up to the task to play Mahler’s Ninth Symphony on technical grounds. However, it is also a work that also requires extreme emotional depth and character. They will for sure gain this under the guidance of Nézet-Séguin, an experienced Mahlerian who is in the middle of a full cycle of Mahler’s Symphonies this season at Carnegie Hall. The program is balanced by its opening work Umoja written by Valerie Coleman which, in contrast to Mahler’s Ninth, concludes with a moment of joy.
Nov 8 at 5 p.m., Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, $28-$60; tickets and information.
Timo Andres/Aaron Diehl — Tuesday, Perelman Theater
Superstar pianists Timo Andres and Aaron Diehl are next up on the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society series, presenting an evening of solo and duo works. Their program includes works by composers on opposite ends of the genre spectrum, including J.S. Bach, Thelonious Monk, and Francis Poulenc. Both known for their charming presence and open-minded approach, Andres and Diehl will provide an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. The listing of works alone might make one wonder if this concert is classical or jazz. As a radio station that offers both genres, we implore you to attend and answer that question for yourself.
Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, $32; tickets and information.
London City Ballet — Wednesday, Matthews Theatre
After a 30 year hiatus, the London City Ballet reformed in 2023, and is now focused on operating as an international touring company. Their recent story of rebirth ties in nicely with the repertoire on their current tour, which includes a modern choreography of Stravinsky’s The Firebird. This tour includes 10 stops across Europe and the US, with one of them right here at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre Center. Along with The Firebird, they offer a potpourri of other classic ballet excerpts including an adaptation of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Aaron Copland’s Quiet City. For ballet lovers in the New Jersey portion of our listening area, this one should be at the top of your list for this week.
Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., Matthews Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, $61-$97; tickets and information.
Justin Austin/Howard Watkins — Friday, Perelman Theater
Baritone Justin Austin uniquely possesses the qualities of someone who is in the bright stages of an early career combined with sage experience. Named Rising Star of the Year at the 2024 International Opera Awards, his calendar is busy with major roles at the biggest opera houses as well as more intimate vocal recitals. On Friday, audiences will experience the latter as he presents his custom designed program Don’t Be Angry! at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. The program itself is inspired by the 1930s German cabaret scene and includes works from that era by Kurt Weil and Hans Eisler. The aim of the program itself is to deal with anger and frustration through art in hopes of gaining some sort of catharsis. Austin will surely portray this arc with his deep theatrical ability. Pianist Howard Watkins joins Austin, and they will also present more modern songs by American composers which fit perfectly within the evening’s theme.
Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, $32; tickets and information.
Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Ancient Airs — Friday and Nov. 8, Mitchell Hall
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia is back this week with two performances of a program that will easily delight just about any audience member. The first half includes Ottorino Respighi’s charming Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3, which is based on lute music from the Renaissance and early Baroque eras. The second half of the program features an arrangement of Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135. The arrangement itself was expertly crafted by Leonard Bernstein, just about the only person legendary enough to rework such a masterpiece.
Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 8 at 4 p.m., Mitchell Hall, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 2nd floor, 19 South 22nd Street, $40-$107; tickets and information.
William Basinski: 25 Years of The Disintegration Loops — Saturday, First Unitarian Church
For those seeking opportunities for more experimental or avant-garde concert events, you have two great options this weekend. On Saturday night, classically-trained musician and composer William Basinski presents his ambient mastwork The Disintegration Loops. With a career spanning 40 years, he is a big shot in the ambient music world, up there with the likes of Brian Eno and Terry Riley. Basinski is known for using old technology to create “haunting and melancholy soundscapes”. Attendees will need to buckle in and transport themselves to a different world for this work that lasts about five hours, on a program that also includes guest musician claire rousay. Basinski has his own cult following, which explains why this concert is already sold out. But, it’s highly recommended to join the waitlist if you can.
Nov. 7 at 8 p.m., The Sanctuary of the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, access waitlist here; more information.
Postal Pieces 3 — Nov. 8, The Perch
On Sunday, experimental-minded audience members can also check out the gem of Philly’s local new music scene: Arcana New Music Ensemble. Bowerbird presents them in the third iteration of a concert featuring music inspired by the composer James Tenney. Bowerbird commissioned local Philly composers to write new works based on Tenney’s avant-garde set of compositions titled “Postal Pieces.” The original concept, and requirement for the new works, is for the full composition to be contained on a piece of paper the size of a postcard — intended as musical letters. Audience members can enjoy listening to the area's finest interpreters of new music, and also purchase their own commemorative copies of the music itself.
Nov. 8 at 8 p.m., The Perch, 2321 Emerald Street, $15-$25; tickets and information.
