21st-century variations
Join us for a concert of 21st-century music played by a variety of ensemble configurations on Front Row Washington Monday night at 9! Founded in 1975 as the 20th Century Consort, the group became the resident ensemble for contemporary music at the Smithsonian Institution’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in 1978. Under the direction of its founder and conductor, Christopher Kendall, the Consort’s artists include principal players from the National Symphony Orchestra, along with other prominent chamber musicians from Washington, D.C. and elsewhere.
The most interesting 18th-century composer!
If there was a "most interesting man in the world" it would be Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. He wasn't just a virtuoso violinist, composer, and conductor, he was also one Europe's greatest fencers, and a military man who led a legion in the French Revolution. John Banther and Evan Keely explore his fascinating life and demonstrate his musical characteristics. Find out more on Classical Breakdown.
Female mystics on Choral Showcase
Join us for a heavenly program on Choral Showcase, "Spiritual Songs," music composed by, or inspired by, two Christian mystics: From the 12th century, St. Hildegard of Bingen, an abbess, polymath, and composer, whose powerful visions were recorded in a series of pieces she called Symphoniae, or "Spiritual Songs." (Hers are some of the oldest surviving musical texts in Western music, making her one of history's first composers.) Performances by Sequentia. The other great mystic, from the 16th century, is St. Teresa of Avila. Her meditations on human and divine love, along with those from an anonymous 14th-century guide to meditation, are woven into a 2013 cantata by Robert Kyr called The Cloud of Unknowing. Craig Hella Johnson conducts Conspirare. Sunday night at 9PM ET.
Canada's next cello star
On this week's Center Stage from Wolf Trap, Camernon Crozman, “Canada’s next big cello star," is joined by Michael Sheppard on the piano. The duo presents French works for cello and piano, including works by Debussy, Poulenc, Messiaen, and Saint-Saëns. Saturday at 9PM ET.
Fan favorite double bill on Opera Matinee
The Met commemorates the centenary of director Franco Zefferelli on Opera Matinee with a historic 1970 performance of two well-loved verismo operas, featuring Leonard Bernstein conducting Grace Bumbry and Franco Corelli in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Fausto Cleva conducting Teresa Stratas and Richard Tucker in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. Saturday at 1PM ET.
The perfect morning with Classical Sunrise
No matter what lies ahead for the day, start your morning off right and bright with Classical Sunrise, the perfect musical pairing to the rising sun. This week's selections:
- Monday 7:10AM Handel - Trio Sonata HWV 403: I. Allegro
- Tuesday 7:09AM Haydn - Symphony No. 86: IV. Finale. Allegro con spirito
- Wednesday 7:08AM Schumann - Symphony No. 1: I. Andante; Allegro
- Thursday 7:07AM Salieri - Concerto for Flute & Oboe in C Major: I. Allegro spiritoso
- Friday 7:06AM Dvořák - Slavonic Dance Op. 72 No. 7
WETA Passport
Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.