Saturday, March 7, 2009

Shakespeare Theatre: Encounters - A John Adams Snapshot

Date: April 22, 2009 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:30 P.M.
Place: Harman Center for the Arts at the Shakespeare Theatre, 450 7 ST NW, WDC (directions)

"Encounters: A John Adams Snapshot" provides a rare opportunity for DC audiences to hear two cutting-edge compositions by an indispensable American original. "Phrygian Gates," early Adams, is a landmark of keyboard minimalism, a 30-minute kaleidoscope of swirling colors and textures. "Gnarly Buttons," late Adams, is a sizzling clarinet concerto distilling swing, blues, and jazz. Both works will be performed for the first time by two great American instrumentalists.

Principal Performers:
David Krakauer, clarinet
Benjamin Pasternack, piano
Angel Gil-Ordóñez, conductor

Program:
John Adams: Phrygian Gates
John Adams: Gnarly Buttons

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Kennedy Center: Iberian Inspirations

Date: March 1, 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30 P.M.
Place: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Fortas Chamber Music Concerts on the Terrace Theater

As the major presenter of Spanish concert music in both DC and New York City, Post-Classical Ensemble has long made a cause of the lesser-known works of Falla, and of the master Catalonian modernists Montsalvatge and Gerhard. PCE returns to the Kennedy Center with a program including the American premiere of a Montsalvatge sinfonietta, inspired by the paintings of Salvador Dali.

(More at the Kennedy Center's website.)

Principal Performers:
Harolyn Blackwell, soprano
Angel Gil-Ordóñez, conductor

Program:
Manuel de Falla: Psyche
Joaquin Turina: Poema en Forma de Canciones
Xavier Montsalvatge: Sinfonietta Folia Daliniana (US premiere)
Joaquin Rodrigo: Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios
Heitor Villa-Lobos: Choros no. 7 (Septet)
Roberto Gerhard: Cancionero de Pedrell