October is upon us and that means one important thing for classical music lovers on a budget: the return of one of the distinctive parts of Washington’s musical life, a broad offering of free concerts.
Australian Chamber Orchestra WE LIKE FREE:
>> Kicking off a regular series on Sundays, the National Academy of Sciences (2101 Constitution Ave. NW) hosts a free concert by the Fry Street Quartet (October 4, 3 p.m.), playing quartets by Beethoven, Bartók, and Dvořák. To attend, you do not even need to make a reservation: just show up before the concert with a photo ID. The doors open a half-hour before the performance.
>> Included with the price of admission at the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St. NW) on most Sundays is a free concert in the museum’s intimate Music Room, featuring flutist Anastasia Petanova and pianist Timothy Hoft next Sunday (October 4, 4 p.m.). Again, no reservation is required, but the limited amount of seating can fill up quickly.
>> The National Gallery of Art hosts a regular Sunday evening concert in the West Garden Court of the museum’s West Building (use the entrance at 6th St. and Constitution Ave. NW), an odd venue with a sometimes frustrating acoustic and limited sight lines. Next Sunday (October 4, 6:30 p.m.) it will feature Arco Voce and soprano Rosa Lamoreaux in a program of Italian Renaissance music. Life is good: there are no reservations required here either, but early arrival is recommended to get a good seat.
>> One unusual free concert is offered by the Corcoran Gallery of Art in the lovely Salon Doré on Saturday afternoon (October 3, 2 p.m.). The string trio known as Virginia Virtuosi will play works by Marais, Mozart, and Schubert.
WELCOME VISITORS:
>> The Australian Chamber Orchestra returns to Washington this week for the first time since a 2007 appearance, with two concerts at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater on Tuesday and Wednesday (September 29 and 30, 7:30 p.m.). The first program features more traditional repertoire, and the second includes selections of Arabic music and even rock, with oud player Joseph Tawadros and percussionist James Tawadros.
