Things are a little slow this week in classical music, because of Easter and all that. There are still a few good things to be heard, but the list is shorter than normal. Besides, it’s hard to tolerate being indoors when those trees are doing their whole pink thing.
>> A concert we are going to have to miss is the most interesting of the week, a program by the 21st Century Consort called Games People Play, at the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. The program features new music by Thomas Adès and others, all on the theme of whimsy and satire. April 7, 5 p.m.
>> The National Symphony Orchestra is on for this weekend. Leonard Slatkin will conduct a program of mostly Ravel, all charming pieces, and Yundi Li will join to play Liszt’s daring first piano concerto. April is Take a Friend to the Orchestra Month, and one of these concerts would be a nice treat for someone new to classical music. April 5 to 7, various times.
>> Pianist Alexander Kobrin won the Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn Competition in 2005. He will give two concerts on Saturday and Sunday, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville. April 7, 8:30 p.m.; April 8, 3 p.m.
>> A little sacred music for Easter Vigil, just not in a church: the National Philharmonic will perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah in the Music Center at Strathmore. April 7, 8 p.m.
>> Both free concert series hosted by museums will hold their concerts as planned on Easter Sunday. Pianist Ralitza Patcheva will give a free recital at the Phillips Collection. As always, note that you must still pay the price of admission to enter the museum. April 8, 4 p.m.
>> Later on Sunday, the National Gallery Chamber Players and the Poulenc Trio (the group normally in residence at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore) will join forces for a free concert at the National Gallery of Art. April 8, 6:30 p.m.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user sally henny penny
