From Symphony in C to Rhapsody in Blue, the classic arts scene in New York is never quiet. Here is just a sampling of some of the classic arts events happening this week:
The New York Philharmonic presents organ player Cameron Carpenter in an Artist Spotlight concert February 7. Carpenter will perform Bach’s Goldberg Variations and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, both arranged for organ by himself. On February 6, Carpenter will perform live accompaniment to a screening of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis as part of the New York Philharmonic’s Art of the Score series.
Violinist Baiba Skride also joins the New York Philharmonic February 8-13 for a concert comprising Bernstein’s Serenade and Strauss’s Eine Alpensinfonie.
New York City Ballet’s winter season continues this week with three more programs, the first of which is an all-Balanchine program, starting February 6. The program comprises two contrasting ballets by the company’s co-founding choreographer: The Four Temperaments, a neoclassical work set to music by Hindemith, and Liebeslieder Walzer, a romantic work set to music by Brahms.
Classic NYCB, starting February 9, is a program of four works by four choreographers associated with the New York City Ballet. Ballo della Regina is Balanchine’s take on the ballet scene from Verdi’s opera Don Carlos, which, in accordance with the convention of French grand opera at the time, included a ballet in its third act. When the opera was translated into Italian, the ballet was cut, and is likewise usually omitted from modern performances. But, as with The Four Seasons, presented earlier this season, it has found its way into NYCB’s repertoire as a standalone work. In A Landscape, the final work choreographed for NYCB by Principal Dancer Albert Evans, is a pas de deux set to music by John Cage. Glass’s sparse and tranquil music is contrasted by the driving and energetic John Adams score that forms the basis for Hallelujah Junction, choreographed by Peter Martins. Finally, the program will conclude with Jerome Robbins’ The Concert, a comedic ballet set to music by Chopin.
Finishing out the week, NYCB will revive Justin Peck’s Copland Dance Episodes, starting February 11. Peck’s ballet, which premiered last year, is set to four works by Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man, Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, Appalachian Spring, and Billy the Kid.
The Apollon Musagète Quartet will perform two quartets by Schubert at Carnegie Hall February 7, as well as Dvořák’s 10th string quartet, and Shostakovich’s eighth. Carnegie Hall will also host performances this week from the Orchestra of St. Luke’s (February 8), Ute Lemper (February 9), and the New York Pops (February 9). The Orchestra of St. Luke’s will perform Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, and Brahms’ violin concerto, with soloist Isabelle Faust. Ute Lemper will give a cabaret performance of Weimar-era music, including works by Friedrich Hollaender, Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Marcellus Schiffer, Mischa Spoliansky, and more. The New York Pops, joined by Montego Glover and pianist Lee Musiker, will give an all-Gershwin program, featuring songs from Gershwin’s musicals, selections from Porgy and Bess, and some of his concert works, including Rhapsody in Blue, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center presents Sacred and Profane, a concert of French chamber music, at Alice Tully Hall February 10. Pianist Wu Qian, violinists Alexander Sitkovetsky and Danbi Um, violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Isang Enders, bass player Blake Hinson, harpist Bridget Kibbey, and flautist Tara Helen O'Connor will perform works by Leclair, Messiaen, Debussy, Tournier, and Ravel.
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