NSO European Tour Celebrations
This week, the National Symphony Orchestra embarks on their first international tour with Maestro Noseda. From February 16 to 28, Gianandrea Noseda will lead a nine-city European tour, visiting some of Europe’s most important concert halls performing for audiences in Spain, Germany, and Italy. We are celebrating the start of their tour on February 15 with a Beethoven symphony marathon, playing back all nine of Beethoven's symphonies recently completed by the NSO and Maestro Noseda.
Throughout the tour from February 16 to 29, we will be sharing hot-off-the-press updates from the NSO on tour. Be sure to tune in to hear various perspectives from musicians, staff, and even the tour doctor!
Front Row Washington
We have something truly special to enjoy as we celebrate the Chinese New Year on Front Row Washington. Wu Fei is an award-winning Beijing-born classically trained composer, singer, and guzheng performer (Chinese plucked zither) known for her melding of traditional Chinese and Western music. On February 12 we’ll enjoy her composition titled Hello Gold Mountain, which she described as “a requiem for lost possibilities of the Jewish community of Shanghai.”
The work was inspired by stories of the tens of thousands of Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai from Europe during WW2. But they couldn’t stay in Shanghai after Chinese civil war in 1949 ended, and had to flee once again. Many of them arrived in San Francisco, or Old Gold Mountain (旧金山). Joining Wu Fei in this concert from the National Gallery of Art is oud player Shanir Ezra Blumenkrantz, and the Inscape Chamber Orchestra. Celebrate the Chinese New Year with me on Monday February 12 at 9pm!
Choral Showcase
Choral Showcase celebrates President's Day. Paul Hindemith's moving requiem, When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd, honored the late president Franklin Delano Roosevelt by setting Walt Whitman's ode to President Lincoln. English composer Herbert Howells honors President Kennedy's memory with Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing.
Opera Matinee
Opera Matinee presents Un Ballo in Maschera. Verdi's historically based drama of a Swedish king whose passion for another's wife leads to tragedy and death was an immediate success at its premiere in 1859. This recorded performance from the Metropolitan Opera's Fall 2023 season stars Charles Castronovo and Angela Meade, and is led by Carlo Rizzi.
From the Top
In recognition of Black History Month, this highlight program celebrates outstanding performances by Black musicians on From the Top through the years. Hosted by Peter Dugan and David Norville, an alumnus, oboist, and Assistant Producer at From the Top.
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.