'Tis the Season for Holiday Concerts
Most of this month's endless series of holiday concerts rely on familiar formulas to cash in on the spirit of the season. At the same time, there are some genuinely interesting Advent and Christmas programs out there for those who want to receive their dose of December cheer without falling asleep.
BACH FOR ADVENT:
>> Prepare yourself for Christmas with one of Bach's cantatas on Advent chorales, both of them performed at free concerts this week. First, members of the Washington Bach Consort will perform BWV 61, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, on its regular Tuesday Noontime Cantata series at Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St. NW). December 2 (whoa, that's today!), 12:10 p.m.
>> Then on Thursday the University of Maryland School of Music devotes its Bach Cantata Series to BWV 140, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, at the Clarice Smith Center in College Park. December 4, 1:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS IN OLD SPAIN:
>> What will most likely be the best Christmas concerts of the month are both devoted to Christmas music from medieval and Renaissance Spain. On the subscription series sponsored by the Friends of Music at Dumbarton Oaks, the Boston Camerata will present its program Brotherhood of the Star: A Hispanic Christmas, combining music made in Spain, Catalonia, and the New World from 1300 to 1700. December 7, 7 p.m.; December 8, 8 p.m.
>> The Folger Consort will present a concert program called Spanish Christmas, devoted to motets, villancicos, and instrumental music from 17th- and 18th-century Spain. The Concord Ensemble, lutenist Charles Weaver, and keyboard player Webb Wiggins will join in the performance in the decorated theater of the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 E. Capitol St. SE). December 12 to 21, various times.
ALSO WORTH NOTE:
>> The annual Norwegian Christmas Festival comes again to the National Gallery of Art's free concert series, with a program presented by the New York Opera Society and soloists from Norway. December 14, 6:30 p.m.
>> If you want to do some singing yourself, drop in for the regular holiday caroling sessions at the National Gallery of Art under the West Building Rotunda. December 13, 14, 20, 21 at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
>> Bonus points for strong programming go to the Washington Bach Consort for its concert, An International Christmas at National Presbyterian Church, with music by Whitacre, Taverner, Villette, Villa-Lobos, as well as Bach. December 21, 3 p.m.
>> The City Choir of Washington will likely present the best of the big-choir holiday concerts. Its Rejoice! Music for Christmas program includes Jennifer Higdon’s O magnum mysterium as well as more standard selections in Alexandria's Schlesinger Hall. December 19, 8 p.m.; December 20, 3 p.m.
ET CETERA:
>> The 20th Annual Christmas Concert for Charity, with performers from the Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, including Yours Truly. December 5, 7:30 p.m.
>> The Christmas Revels at Lisner Auditorium. December 6 to 14, various times
>> Cathedral Choral Society: Joy of Christmas at Washington National Cathedral. December 13 and 14, various times
>> Choral Arts Society: Christmas Music in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. December 15, 7 p.m.
>> The Epiphany Choir's Christmas Benefit Concert at Church of the Epiphany. December 16, 12:10 p.m.
>> The Vienna Boys Choir presents Christmas in Vienna at the George Mason University Center for the Arts. December 19, 8 p.m.
>> Choral Arts Society: Christmas Music in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. December 20 and 24, 1 p.m.
>> Washington Chorus: Music for Christmas in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. December 20 and 22, various times. Also in the Music Center at Strathmore. December 21, 5 p.m.
>> A holiday concert by Christopher Parkening (guitar) and Jubilant Sykes (baritone) at the George Mason University Center for the Arts. December 20, 8 p.m.
>> The annual Family Christmas Concert presented by Choral Arts Society of Washington in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. December 21, 2 and 4 p.m.
>> The Master Chorale of Washington's Christmas Candlelight Concert in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. December 21 and 22, various times
>> Washington Symphonic Brass: Holiday Celebration in the Music Center at Strathmore. December 22, 7:30 p.m.
>> Chanukah Feast in Concert in the Music Center at Strathmore. December 27, 8 p.m.