On April 5-6, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra presents a feast of pièces des résistances thoughtfully curated by Margaret Batjer. The works include Louise Farrenc’s masterful Nonet, virtuosic string quartets by Caroline Shaw and Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel, and an innovative trio by Nokuthula Ngwenyama. https://www.laco.org/events/farrencs-nonet/
On April 8, cellist Alisa Weilerstein continues her innovative series “Fragments,” in which she combines new music by compelling contemporary composers with Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello. This is the third installment of the once-a-year series. https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/alisa-weilerstein-fragments-iii/
As part of the Boston Symphony’s Shostakovich cycle, music director Andris Nelsons will lead Yo-Yo Ma in the composer’s politically fraught Cello Concerto on April 11. The second half of the program is Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11, written in 1957. It was subtitled The Year 1905, in reference to the so-called First Russian Revolution. https://www.bso.org/events/andris-nelsons-conducts-shostakovich-with-yoyo-ma?performance=2025-04-11-20:00
May 2 marks the world premiere of Gulli Björnsson’s ljósíd (light), performed by members of the Seattle Symphony, featuring JIJI on electroacoustic guitar & electronics with visuals by Björnsson. This performance is part of the SSO’s Octave 9 series. https://www.seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/calendar/2024-2025/24octave5
While Grieg’s Peer Gynt is an orchestral standard, staging the work is a novel idea. This production, written and directed by Bill Barclay adapted from the play by Henrik Ibsen, will feature the St. Louis Symphony conducted by Stéphane Denève. Swedish soprano Camilla Tilling is a guest soloist for this May 3 performance, which promises to […]
