Next week is a busy one for classical music lovers. Think of it as a final explosion of music before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays inundate us all with the sounds of the season and winter inspired concerts. There is so much going on this is the first post of two covering next week’s events.
This Saturday, Music Northwest concludes their cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas with performances of the Op. 109, 110, and 111.
Also this weekend, lovers of Beethoven and Gershwin can get their fill by getting to Benaroya Hall. Lead by Andreas Delfs, the Seattle Symphony is playing Beethoven’s Symphony No.7 and Gershwin’s attempt at serious classical music, his Piano Concerto. Delfs has been through town before and currently leads the Honolulu Symphony. Delfs is likely looking at the Seattle Symphony as a possible next step in his conducting career which included time with the Milwaukee Symphony.
The Messiaen organ cycle continues next Friday with a performance at St. Marks Cathedral. This time it’s the Meditations on the Mystery of the Holy Trinity. The cycle picks up again on Monday, November 24.
Also on Friday, the Northwest Sinfonietta continues its season long look at the 20th Century with a concert devoted to the impressionist composers of the first half of the century. Debussy’s Petite Suite and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G are notable inclusions to the program. This is the first concert they group will play in the Nordstrom Recital Hall, a change from their long-time Seattle home Town Hall.
The Puget Sound Symphony kicks off their 2008/2009 season next Saturday at Town Hall. On the docket are Beethoven’s Symphony No.3 and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No.1. I fell in love with this orchestra last year mostly because they play with such enthusiasm, Alan Shen is a quirky podium leader, and are supported by an audience that genuinely wants to be there. In a perfect world, I wish every concert was as lively as PSO’s are.
