There is little doubt about the major event in classical music this week in Washington. On Tuesday (April 4, 8 p.m.) renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will play a recital in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Not only that, but he will be playing three of the solo cello suites by J. S. Bach, works with which he is widely identified, to the point that when he appeared on The West Wing, he was playing one of the suites in the White House. The house was sold out long ago, unfortunately, so you will have to use your wits if you want to get in at this point.
FREE CONCERTS:
>> Once again, the best options this week are free concerts, and once you take away the cost of a ticket, what reason do you have not to go hear some music? It’s a new month, so the Noontime Cantata series hosted by the Washington Bach Consort is back. On Tuesday (April 4, 12:10 p.m.), members of the group will perform BWV 168, Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort, at the Church of the Epiphany (13th and G St. NW). If you’re downtown, take a musical lunch break.
>> On Thursday (April 6, 8 p.m.), the Turtle Island String Quartet, winner of a Grammy this year in the crossover category, will play a free concert at the Library of Congress. I heard their concert last month at the Strathmore Mansion, and their way of playing jazz and other popular music on the instruments of the classical string quartet has great appeal. You do not even need a ticket for this event.
