Well, this was a busy week for DCist, telling you all about the two operas performed by the Kirov Opera at the Kennedy Center. We could probably use a break this week but we will not get that until July. Well, who are we kidding, we don’t really want a break. The more concerts we have to tell you about, the happier we are. For more choices, see our Classical Week in Washington at Ionarts.

VISITING SYMPHONIES:
>> The National Symphony Orchestra may be taking a break from their rigorous performing schedule this week, but we still have opportunities to hear orchestral concerts this. On Monday (February 27, 8 p.m.) the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra will play a concert at Strathmore, led by their new conductor — well, since 2003 — Leon Botstein. When he is not conducting, Botstein teaches music history at Bard College, where he codirects the famous Bard Music Festival. The program consists entirely of 20th-century music: Martinů’s Památník Lidicím (Memorial to Lidice), Copland’s Appalachian Spring, and Prokofiev’s fifth symphony. The remaining tickets are limited.

>> The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has started scheduling some of its appearances at Strathmore on Thursday nights, an implied challenge to the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center. This Thursday (March 2, 8 p.m.), the BSO will play a concert at Strathmore with violinist Sergey Khatchatryan. This program features more 20th-century music, including a piece by Hailstork, the Sibelius violin concerto, and two short pieces by Prokofiev, The Ugly Duckling and the suite from Cinderella. Outgoing conductor Yuri Temirkanov has not returned from Russia, due to a close friend’s death, so he will be replaced on the podium by guest conductor Andrew Constantine.