Front Row Washington
There is something special about the guitar and how like a chameleon, it can blend into vastly different musical worlds from jazz, metal, classical, and more. Jiji is an award-winning guitarist who in 2021 was described by The Washington Post as “one of the 21 composers/performers who sound like tomorrow.”
On October 16 we feature her March 2023 National Gallery of Art performance where she brings over 4 centuries worth of compositions, including her own. In a performance of music written by women, she opens with her own arrangement of one of the only surviving works by Claudia Sessa (c. 1570-1619) and plays music by Kate Moore, Hilary Purrington, Natalie Dietterich, Sidney Pratten, Tania León, Kaki King, and Molly Joyce.
She also performs on the electric guitar in addition to the traditional acoustic, another work uses electronic effects, and the encore is not to be missed!
Classical Breakdown
John Banther and Linda Carducci dive deep into the nocturne, a genre inspired by, or evocative of, the night. Discover the nocturne's journey, from 19th century Ireland, Chopin's infamous works, to Daft Punk.
Choral Showcase
On Sunday, October 22, WETA Classical’s Choral Showcase honors the 400th anniversary of William Byrd (c.1540-1623), one of the most influential and inventive artists of the Renaissance and one of England’s greatest composers. That he managed to create music of such power and beauty during a time of great social, political, and religious upheaval is no small feat. Among his most sublime works are the masses for three, four, and five voices; we’ll hear two, along with anthems and madrigals drawn from new albums of Byrd’s music released during this anniversary year by The Gesualdo Six, The King’s Singers, and Fretwork.
Choral Showcase
Handel's final oratorio and last major work, Jephtha, sets the poignant drama of Jephtha from the Biblical book of Judges, an emotional story of a warrior and his tragic vow of sacrifice. With English libretto. This recorded performance by Chicago's Music of the Baroque is led by Dame Jane Glover, with David Portillo in the title role.
From the Top
We’re back at the 2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival. You’ll hear more incredible performances, including some with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and meet semi-finalists and winners of the competition.
Classical Sunrise
Let us accompany your mornings with Classical Sunrise, our musical greeting to each weekday's sunrise. This week's selections include performances by the Shanghai Quartet - featured in the documentary Behind the Strings airing on WETA PBS and WETA World this week.
- Monday 7:18AM Hummel - Trumpet Concerto: III. Rondo
- Tuesday 7:19AM Beethoven - String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59 No. 2 "Razumovsky": IV. Finale.
Presto (Shanghai Quartet) - Wednesday 7:20AM Schumann - Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61 (revised, Gustav Mahler): IV. Allegro molto
vivace - Thursday 7:21AM Bruch - Eight Pieces, Op. 83: No. 7. Allegro vivace, ma non troppo
- Friday 7:22AM Beethoven - String Quartet #9 in C Major, Op. 59 No. 3 "Razumovsky": IV. Allegro
molto (Shanghai Quartet)
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