Morning Roundup: Goodbye, Abe Edition
Vegetate to Close at the End of the Month
D.C. Police Seek Suspect in Series of Bank Robberies
Suspect in 9-Year-Old's Murder Found Dead in D.C. Jail
Wizards Owner Abe Pollin Dies at 85
In last week's agenda, I led with picks for modern and contemporary music (some reviews to come this week), and I am happy to do so again this week. September seems to be the month for hearing classical music composed in the 20th and 21st centuries, so get out there and listen, Washingtonians.
NEW, SOMETIMES STRANGE:
>> Modernist composers often write for new and unconventional instruments. Isabel Ettenauer will give a free concert at the Austrian Embassy on Tuesday (September 19, 8 p.m.) called The Joy of Toy. That title refers to the fact that she will perform pieces written for toy piano, including a famous piece by John Cage, which she recorded in 2005. She will also sing and play the traditional piano. I am not sure quite what to expect. A reservation is required: call (202) 895-6776.
>> On Thursday (September 21, 7 p.m.), pianist Natasa Mitrovic and soprano Ellie Valkenburg will give a lecture on and performance of music by contemporary Serbian and American composers. This event will be held at the International Finance Corporation Cultural Center (2121 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). For more information, call (202) 458-2884.
>> Last night, I was at the Kennedy Center Opera House for the opening night of Washington National Opera's production of Bartók's Duke Bluebeard's Castle and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi: my review will be ready tomorrow. The next performance is scheduled for Wednesday (September 20, 7:30 p.m.). Then, on Thursday (September 21, 7 p.m.), WNO unveils its new production of Nicholas Maw's Sophie's Choice (based on the tragic story told in the movie of the same title), premiered at Covent Garden in 2002. Marin Alsop will conduct many of the singers who created the work in London. The second performance is next Sunday (September 24, 2 p.m.). My review will follow next week.
>> Flutist and composer Gary Schocker will give a recital of some of his recent pieces on Thursday (September 21, 7:30 p.m.) at the Mansion at Strathmore. Cliff Jackson will join him at the piano. Tickets: $26.
WORTH MENTIONING:
>> Violinist Gil Shaham joins the National Symphony Orchestra this week for concerts on Wednesday (September 20, 8 p.m.), Thursday (September 21, 7 p.m.), and Friday (September 22, 1:30 p.m.) in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The program includes the Brahms violin concerto and symphonic works by William Walton and Aaron Copland.
>> For something a little off the beaten path, Pak Muryanto will lead the Central Javanese Gamelan Ensemble of the Embassy of Indonesia in a free concert of gamelan music on Thursday (September 21, 7 p.m.) at the Arlington Arts Center. Reservations are suggested.
>> On Sunday (September 24, 5 p.m.), a new era of local classical music in Washington will begin, with the first performance of the Capital City Symphony in its new home, the Atlas Peforming Arts Center (1333 H St. NE), when members of the CCS will perform a Chamber Concert. Tickets, if purchased in advance, are very affordable, at $16 (students, $12).
>> For more information on concerts, go to Ionarts.
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