As I write this, the sun shines on a warm October morning. The leaves on the trees are still green and full, and it’s hard to believe that November is around the corner. November 2024 is a significant month from first to last, with election day on the 5th, and Thanksgiving on the 28th, and in between scores (no pun intended) of artistic delights at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
From the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Concert Hall:
Friday November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd, Gianandrea Noseda conducts Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, the “Pathétique”, Prokofiev’s Summer Night Suite, and Concertgebouw Orchestra principal oboist Alexei Ogrintchouk premieres an NSO co-commission by Alexander Raskatov, Time’s River.
November 14-17, former music director Leonard Slatkin conducts a program featuring William Walton’s Symphony No.1 and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.20 with Emanuel Ax.
November 21-23, 17-year-old phenomenon Alexandra Dovgan joins the NSO under the direction of Marek Janowski for Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Anton Bruckner’s 4th Symphony, the “Romantic” is also on the program.
Over at the Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington National Opera’s Fidelio continues through November 5th, followed by Verdi’s Macbeth, November 13-23 with Etienne Dupuis, Ewa Plonka, Kang Wang and Soloman Howard.
At the Terrace Theater, Renee Fleming’s "Voices” presents American soprano Nadine Sierra in recital on November 10th.
On November 21, Fortas Chamber Music Concerts features Imani Winds and Harlem Quartet along with orator and poet A.B. Spellman performing Jeff Scott’s Passion for Bach and Coltrane, the 2024 Grammy Award® winner in the Classical Compendium Category.
Saturday, November 16 at The REACH, don’t miss The Sound of US, an immersive new music festival filled with nonstop music and visual art, featuring over 40 world premiere commissions by Arco Collaborative, in both paid concerts and free performances. (see the Classical Score blog on this festival for more details from artistic director Jennifer Koh). A centerpiece of Sounds of Us will be Hear Here, an innovative piece by Angélica Negrón and you!
There’s lots happening for the kiddies too, with 2 Kennedy Center commissions presented by the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences: At the Family Theater through November 3rd, Children 8+ will enjoy Doktor Kaboom Under Pressure! Teaching physical science concepts, and the world premiere of Finn featuring WETA Arts host Felicia Curry, November 23-December 23, for ages 5+.
At The REACH’s Studio K, Uncle Devin takes kids 5+ on an interactive musical experience through the Land of Percussion on November 9, and babies and toddlers will enjoy Sailing on String, November 2-5.
For more information, visit Kennedy-Center.org.
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